In the fall of 1970, my family relocated to Oak Harbor. I entered the 6th Grade at Clover Valley Elementary. Though I was a Navy brat and used to moving around, it was a tough transition. Jim was one of 3 teachers overseeing the 6th grade. We were packed into the CVE auditorium with blackboards separating. He was extremely kind and supportive and midway through the fall semester invited me into a special accelerated private group of students that included Gretchen Young, Debbie Krieg and Michael Marin. We were allowed to work at our own pace and there was a salt-water aquarium in our special corner. Jim taught me how to play chess. It was a magical time. I'm still friends with many of those students. I occasionally saw him in later years, working in his yard, then I moved away and lost touch. I thank Pat Hawley for posting news of his passing on FB. Jim: You loom large in me legend, as they say. You taught me kindness, intellectual curiosity and generosity. I am a successful teacher and writer now. You did a lot of things right.