Firefighter III – Fire Station 114C
Deceased:
December 16, 2022
Appointed:
05/15/1977
Pensioned:
05/31/2016 – FS114C
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Being retired I have missed the conversations, the laughter and the action of working with such fine people who have become my Brothers and Sisters through the years. Now I will miss one even more. RIP my Brother…It can’t go on forever…but what did go on…has been memorable!
Jim and I were Class mates different Drill Towers. First met and worked together at FS-39 in the early 1980’s. We had a good group and did a lot of activities on and off duty. When you see these notification so many memories flash by. It is like yesterday but also long ago. I had not been in touch with Jim for a long time but did smile remembering his smile, laugh and sarcastic response. I am thinking of his family and hoping the best for them. Good times brother.
I was a rookie at FS 39 in 1980. Jim, along with Don Ott introduced me to the world of Mammoth skiing, water skiing, and Dirt bike adventures. He would drive his van “old blue” to such events. I worked with him later and he always had a smile.
My 1st fire that I was on the nozzle of a 2 & 1/2″ smooth bore, Jim was backing me up. It was a commercial cabinet shop in 39’s district Capt. Mike Varney, Eng Don Ott, Jim and myself were on the engine. As Jim backed me up he directed me where to squirt the water. The next shift we had a fire critique and Jim explained he felt like a rag doll in a cartoon, every time I moved the nozzle he flew around behind me trying to hang onto the hose! He stated “it was like trying to back up a big ol’ Moose”. Soon after a moose was drawn on the back of my turnout coat and that was my name for the next 31 years. Jim was a fun guy to hang out with and always brought laughter to the moment. Thanks for the good times my friend. R.I.P. Moose
Jim and I had some awesome memories; our ski trips our time at 39s with the one of the best crews on the LAFD, our houseboat trips and everything else we did for 30 + years together. I will always remember those times. But Jim, please if you’re up there dealing with boats, please remember to tie the anchor line to the boat BEFORE you throw the anchor overboard. It works better that way. Rest In Peace my friend.
Whenever I worked a SOD day at 39’s or 90’s, being with Jim was a guaranteed fun shift. We always found time to create chaos sometime during the day. But when the long ring came in, Jim was all business until the work was done. Great fireman and an equally great friend.