Teresa, Ellen, family and friends of Jim White K4OJ,
I really don't even know where to begin with this e-mail. Jim was such a
great guy and a wonderful friend, I have so many stories, but I will try to
keep
it to one or two.
Back in 1999 when my wife and I decided to move to Florida, I was talking to
Vic K9UIY through a series of e-mails telling him of our plans and so forth.
One of the first things that he said when he found out the area we were moving
to was that I had to make sure and contact the Whites (K4OJ, W1CW, and W1YL)
as soon as I got settled. Even before I really got settled I got a call at work
on day and the voice on the other end said KS9O this is K4OJ welcome to
Florida! Jim and I spent the next hour or so talking about contesting and the
really neat thing was, Jim and I had never met me, but he said "Hey, FQP is
coming
up in about a month, I am looking for someone to go mobile with. How about we
do it together?" Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Jim and I
became the fastest and best friends that weekend.
I don't think I have ever became friends with anyone that quick. Over the
next almost 5 years Jim and I operated 4 FQP's mobile, and just about every
other
major cw contest I was involved in a multi at the White's. Also numerous
antenna projects and shack building and changing, rearranging and mostly
improving. I learned so much from Jim that I will never be able to repay. I
could have
never asked for a better friend.
Jim had the ability to light up a room, and before long he would have
everyone in the room laughing. He added to much to our hobby of ham radio and
especially contesting. We are so much the better for having had him in our
ranks.
Somehow I imagine Jim and Bob (W1CW) are right now designing antennas in
heaven and trying to get the best signal out. I am sure Bob was waiting for Jim
so
they could continue the work on the antennas that were started here.
Jim my friend I am going to miss you more than I can imagine. Thanks for the
good times. It is really going to be hard to think of anything to do with
hamradio without thinking of you. There really is a hole in my heart this
evening.
73 my friend, I will do a multi with you again one day,
Kevin N4KM
In a message dated 2/12/04 3:30:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,
w1yl@tampabay.rr.com writes:
Dear friends:
In September of 2002 K4OJ sat at this computer and wrote a poignant obituary
honoring his father, W1CW, who had died that very morning.
On this afternoon of February 12, 2004, it is my reluctant turn to sit here
and tell you that Jim did not survive yesterday's surgery. He left us about
11:30 a.m. this morning following liver failure after the somewhat risky heart
valve replacement.
Just this past weekend he had a tremendous time operating the FOC Marathon
and producing a splendid accounting of himself. This was just one more
achievement during his lifetime of fun in and service to Amateur Radio and, in
particular, the Florida Contest Group of which he was the first president. His
operating abilities were manifest and he almost always the first one to
volunteer
his help, in spite of his declining physical abilities.
I know many of you will share my loss.
Ellen, W1YL/4 "ln"
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