Both Ray and Jim took me under their wings as their "adopted" brother shortly after my family moved to Brooksville. I was a military brat, so I did not have any long-term friends from when I was little, but they did their best to make up for that. Their mom and dad always treated me like I was part of their family, often having me over for some of that good polish-southern cooking. Jimmy could have easily been a bully with his amazing strength of at least 10 men, but he was not. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and they just don't make 'em like that any more. Ray, it has been too long since we have talked on a regular basis. Seeing these pics of Jim really has hit me hard now to know he is gone from this world. However, "he is not dead but only sleeping" is what our Lord would say, and I can't wait until we can all go fishing together again when we will no longer have to say goodbye. I also will have to make sure I get in the first cast with you and your Rapala around! I sure do miss you, and I really wish I had been around more than I have been able to manage these past years. I hope we can get together soon. I love you man, and no - I don't want your Bud Light...
Anthony DiValentin
