His 1971 Eustis Panther classmates could well understand – predict, even – that their special buddy, whose talent and passion intersected perfectly, would tell the Daily Commercial in a 2018 interview that he had been able to live my life doing what I love to do.
That meant his being at water s shore, atop the water, in the water and under the water. A certified diver at 16, Jim knew the science, the adventure and the stunningly beautiful views of marine life in motion.
And his always-deployed Navy shipmates, once treated by Jim to a feast of personally hand-caught lobsters while Spadefish was berthed in Puerto Rico, could attest to the extra skills he brought to the fight – such as donning wet suit, fins and mask to clean the sub s propellers!