One of Jim's favorite expressions - which seems so poignant now - was "You can always make more money, but you can't make more time."
My life was enriched knowing Jim, being entertained by his countless stories, and later on, sharing his knowledge and insights as Project Manager for a new lab facility where I worked. Through Jim I learned so much about large-scale construction projects, and his dedication to client satisfaction made my job easier. I was always impressed that he wanted to know all about the science and technology being used inside the new building, and not just viewing it as another "make work" construction project.
I didn't get to see as much of Jim as his disease progressed, but I'll always admire how he faced adversity with his diagnosis, as he put it, "having to make the most of being dealt a lousy hand."
My heart goes out to Wendy and his family. Jim had a big personality, and his passing leaves a large hole.