I never got to meet Jim in person and I surely do regret that. I know I will meet him in paradise one day but I always respected him like a father. J.C. and my dad were about the same age. My dad will be 78 in December.
Well, when I got out of line here J.C. would let me know in that fatherly way of being both stern and compassionate while teaching a youngster a lesson. You know he could give those talks where dad never raised his voice nor got angry nor got insulting but made you feel two inches tall because you did something bad.
On the other side of that coin J.C. was quick to praise and make me feel ten feet tall when I did something right or good. His advice was always sound. His love for us and passion for our sport was always right there in the open. What a wonderful, one of a kind man he was. He always will be the salt of the earth to me.
So who will guide me now? Why, J.C., of course for he is now a part of my conscience for the rest of my days.