My Friend - I'll never Forget
Life dealt him lemons but he made lemonade - an inspiration to anyone priviledged enough to get know him.
I was honored to have known James, if only for a few years. He became my best friend.

..I Peeled back the veneer of heavily accented self-depreciation and found an amazing guy:
..I've been thru a lot medically but he made my experiences seem trite in comparison.
..He was Proud, God Fearing, Law Abiding, Patriotic, Conservative, very smart.
..He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
..He had Strong opinions but never expressed unless asked.
..He so aptly described himself as Island Trecker - and admitted to wanderlust:
> Career Navy man - wanted to see the world,
> Security Clearance on a Missile Frigate - could never talk much about.
> Without training, he Qualified for Navy Pilot school but quit the Navy instead
because they would not promise him service in Vietnam.
> He once Owned 2 Airports in Georgia
> He was a Pilot with 20,000 hrs logged in Cessna class planes which he sold
> He was an Airframe Mechanic at Lockheed - met Howard Hughes & Charles Lindbergh.
> He co-owned a Used Car Dealership in Georgia
> He once Owned a movie theater (where could eat all the beloved popcorn he wanted)
> He once served on a small town Police Force in Georgia.
> He was a Mason
> He worked with Wildlife Trust to monitor Manatee for first year after rehab release, wherever they swam.
> Reportedly knew the inland waterways of Florida so well he rarely needed charts.
> He once told me he had spent more time on a boat deck than on dry land - he had phenominal eyesight.
> He proudly called himself Stormy's dad (see article below)

James could hold you captivated for hours with his stories about his life adventures.

A few days after his last return to the Philippines, James told me (we instant message) how he woke up that morning and was just savoring the views, drinking a morning coffee, and feeling glad to be alive -
he then said: "I'm Home".

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