I have just recieved word from Costa Rica, via his family, that my good friend, Mr. Jim Jones, (pictured here with a one-month old Abigail) has died of a heart attack at a friend's home, aged 64. My relationship with Jim has been one of the few positive things that I can point to in my Pensacola experience. I met Jim in 2003 when we started his ultimately doomed campaign for County Commissioner in District 1 of Escambia County. His constant visits to the shop and financial support were the only things that really kept me interested and afloat during Pinnacle's start-up period, and when we lost the election like we did, it really kind of sent both of us into disenchantment with the voters of District 1, who said one thing and did another. After that, Jim and I became friends, sharing a mutual love of Chinese food and picking on Greg Fink. When Pinnacle finally closed its doors, Jim helped me drive all my stuff to my house, and when Hurricane Ivan ripped down the fence and screens, Jim (with Greg in tow) helped me put the stuff back together. Found me roofers, too. We didn't always see eye-to-eye - on much of anything - but an atmosphere of mutual respect made disagreements palatable and even interesting.
Last year, Jim had a number of heart-and-lung-related episodes, and so decided, once freed from the care of people he came to regard as quacks at best, to quit Pensacola. In short order, he bought land, a house, met a woman and fell in love, began conquering the language barrier, and moved to Costa Rica to live. He bought a restaurant recently, Au Natural. He claimed to be feeling great, and I know he was having a good time. I think he thought he might be checking out soon and constructed things for his last grab at bliss before that could occur. Enterprise, exotic lands, beautiful wife, etc. The stuff Jim's dreams were made of. He crammed a lot of living into his years; Army paratrooper, antique store owner, local politician, entrepreneur, police officer - amazing guy. He loved me and my family, and we loved him right back.
We'll miss Jim. He thought this was probably the funniest thing we ever did together , so I post it here again for your edification.