Shannon, I didn't know your dad but in reading these posts he must have been a very good and decent man. The evidence is in the wonderful daughter he raised. Your messages are full of adoration and love and I'm sorry you lost your dad so early.

Thank you :) He was an amazing man! I love him very much and miss him more then words could explain. It was very sweet of you to comment on this post, thank you for taking the time to do so! Shannon

I, too, would like to express my thanks and appreciation for all the kind words and fond memories here. I am Shannon's brother Craig, and frankly it brings tears to my eyes to know that our father is remembered so well.

I was actually born in the barracks of your Eleuthera facility back in the early '60's, and I just returned from vacationing on Eleuthera over the holidays. The remains of the facility are still visible, albeit quite overgrown. It's a long-shot, but there's a chance the actual table I was born on is still in the building (or it was a few years ago, at any rate). My mother (Shirley) says it looks like the one she remembers, so I suppose it's possible. I always fly in to Governor's Harbour, which I'm told uses the original runway built by the U.S. to service your facility, and I've also been to Receiver Beach, which still has ruins of the old docks. It's sad to see the buildings falling apart and overgrown, but it was fascinating wandering through the ruins and reminiscing about Dad.

Thank you for remembering someone so important in our lives.

The IUSS was in no small way responsible for the success of the U.S. military in confronting the USSR during the Cold War. Your father was, in a great way, a key contributor to the success of the IUSS. He treated his responsibility with the same level of patriotism as all the Officers and Enlisted of the IUSS. He was one of us, and a valuable friend and asset to the USA. He is missed by all who knew him.

Richard Matthews OTCM USN(RET)

A lot of memories of Jim eating lunch in his office with Chuck Gagnon, as I too sat in once or twice while I was stationed there in D.C. and also got to make a couple of trips he went on. I helped prepare a lot of the briefings he gave to the Big Shots up on the hill or at the Pentagon. He was truly a cool character in front of people who absolutely terrified me. I feel like I learned a learned a lot from him in how to handle people and Shannon and Craig,you can be proud of what he accomplished in life, He touched the lives of a lot of people in our system and I want to back them all up with a "You can say that again". You dont have to take my word for it. I am sure that there are more out there who may not have read this board in a while who will sound off. He truly made a memory for me. It must have been wonderful being his family. Best wishes to you and your families.

Thank you! I cant say thank you enough! I love hearing about Dad and all the things he did! And it was beyond wonderful to be his daughter, and i am sure my brother feels the same way about being his son! :) I cant wait to hear more!

Shannon,

I had the privilege of working with your father when he was PME124-20. I enjoyed every minute of his professionalism and friendship. I was always impressed with the Buckytown house and efforts Jim was putting into it.

During my time with your father we lost CDR Will James, the senior Navy person in PME124-20. Your dad was so good bringing us through a very tough time. His humor and attitude towards the bureaucracy was especially welcomed.

We lost a great professional with your father's passing. I remember him with great fondness and smile when I think back to those times.

All the best

Scott

Thank you for taking the time to reply! I am so glad the memories bring a smile to you, because they sure bring one to me! It means so much to me that after all these years people still remember my Dad with such fondness and in such detail! Thank you Scott!