On January 4, 2022, Jim and a coworker were on their way back to their workplace in a work pickup truck. Jim was a passenger, and they were on I 85 heading North towards Charlotte. There is road construction all along there before the North Carolina line. Jim and his coworker were at a standstill in the construction traffic when a semi-tractor trailer struck them from behind. The driver never hit his brakes or slowed down. He hit them doing fifty-five miles an hour and killed Jim. Jim’s coworker Mike was injured. We were told the driver of the semi-tractor trailer was charged “driving too fast for conditions.” What we didn’t know was that all he had to do was pay a fine and he was free to go.
Jim was affectionately known as “Big Jim,” but he also was called a gentle giant. He was 6’6” and had a heart as big as he was. He lent a helping hand to anyone who needed help whether he knew them or not. Every morning, he would kiss me goodbye and tell me he loved me. January 4, 2022, was the last time I would ever hear him say I love you. I will never see his beautiful blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled or gave me his crooked little grin. We miss him every day and there is a big hole in our hearts because he is not here.
Jim loved going to the NASCAR races and camping. The goal was when he retired was to travel the US in our 5th wheel. He loved playing darts, pool and cornhole. He also loved camping with our camping family the “Misfits”. He volunteered for the Haunted Forest at our campground, which donated all the proceeds to Lymphoma and Leukemia Research. He is missed by all who knows him and loves him.