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smlslikfish
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 12-30-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: La Costilla Bound
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Thoughts
There is something about baja that makes the past seem very close for me, I think others feel this way too. I never met Jimmy, But have enjoyed
reading his posts and the stories of days past. Jimmy, know that you will always be a part of that wonderful story that is Baja. Vaya con Dios
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Unbelievable, here it is New Years day, 2004, I sit at my fathers computer in the new little office that he had been talking about creating on this
front porch since who can remember when. It was put together in an honorably short time by friends and family while Dad & I were in San Diego just a
few short weeks ago. The office has a big window that face East towards Dona Lupe?s store and the walkway behind it that leads from the front gate to
the house so one can see what is going down from his computer.
Dad?s Ol bud and dearest of Pal?s, Steve, has gone thru and organized Dad?s Baja history books. All is ready for the Ol Man to return to work on that
2nd. Book, the computer bank is full of data and old thoughts waiting to be organized. Dad made it out of bedroom for the long journey out here in the
wheel chair one time to see this room completed. It took all his strength to sit up for a couple of hours and inspect the work, locate his precious
books, give us his approval and back to bed.
It was another long night for the Ol Man and Me, chasing big pain with little pills, sleeping in turns of 2 hours at most. Ah but, it is dawn now and
Dona Lupe sits with him and gives me this chance to write again a thank you note to all of you who supplied me with kind words to caress my dear Poppy
with.
I read him my last note to you all and got his all-important to me approval of how I was presenting his perspective of his situation. I have read to
him all I have received on both Nomad and Baja net boards, notes from his e-mail still get to him via me. Yes, certainly I do read them ALL to him,
several times over in fact. Although he fades in and out as I read to him, he does know your out there, and he sends you all his desire that you have
a wonderful 2004.
So, as I close for now, I think of all the good times he has had over the past year; Desert Bull, it was the Baja Mil of 2002 that produced that
wonderful photo of You, him and a pretty lady who must be the muse herself, right? He still has his memories of the book signing at Pyramid. The
taped interview by Camote is certainly a family treasure. The insuring all nighter with the ?Play in the dirt Boy?s? down at Santa Inez, God, how he
loves You all. He has truly lived his life to the fullest this past year; it?s been a great one in many aspects.
So the vigil by his bedside continues, the Ol Man has a strong and generous heart. We still find a way to create a sweet moment here and there; Karen
came by with her baby Grace to lace Papa?s face with their sweet kisses and they got sweet tender smiles from him in return. A kid I don?t know, maybe
25 years old, all Mexican punk with spikes and an ear ring showed up to say goodbye to his Papa, turns out he is yet another adoptee that Dad took
under his wing when the guy was a little tyke in La Capilla. Yet again, I am reminded how the Ol Man is truly the wealthiest soul I ever did know;
Loved by so many, and all he had to do to get there was open up his heart and just be Don Jimmy.
[Edited on 1-1-2004 by Eli]
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Sara,
I don't think you know that I have every e-mail you and Don Jimmy have ever sent to me and a whole lot of your posts on all three boards. When I get
stuck for a thought or a phrase I just leaf through them and one or the other of you provides me with just the right wordage to continue my writing.
I have never known two people who have such a natural ability to communicate and as I said in my last book, "to reach out, latch onto someone, and
reel them in" Fishers of people are both of you. No, you guys don't stuff or mount them but 'they' hold you both in their hearts forever. So proud
to be called friend by you and your Poppy.
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Stephanie Jackter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 566
Registered: 11-3-2002
Location: Arizona
Member Is Offline
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Eli,
I helped sit vigil through the death of a good friend who wanted to die at home a number of years ago. It was absolutely grueling even though I and
some family members were doing it in shifts.
But even though the sadness of death is the ending, you'll look back on it as one of the best things you've ever done. Keep that morphine cranked up
and just be sure to stay away from it yourself and grab that precious couple of hours of sleep whenever you can.
And remember that the gift you're giving of helping your Dad pass away in peace in his own bed instead of some crappy impersonal hospital ward is
priceless - one of the greatest gifts you'll ever give.
Good luck with the task at hand. After the hardest days (which it sounds like you're nearing the end of), usually comes a short coma and then it's
over soon. - Stephanie
When the goin' gets tough, the wierd turn pro
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Don Jimmy update
Morning! On this second day of a new year I just got much less than encouraging news from Don Jimmy's private angel and nurse. She tells me that the
entire town is lining up to pay their respects to a man they all love.
Please hold Jimmy in your hearts for a while longer. Me, I'm going out for a long walk in the sun and think on this wonderful man.
No confusion this time---He is still hanging on!
[Edited on 1-2-2004 by Baja Bernie]
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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The Humble Abode of a very Wealthy Man; As I sit by his bed side and reflect on the walls that create My dear Papa?s space, comments made by Oso in
regard to Don Jimmy?s true intergration into the culture of the land he Loves and adobted long ago and Stephanie?s encouragement in regard to dealing
with the dignity of dieing at home have inspired me to try and describe for you the circumstances with which my father finds himself in the simple
little 12?x12? space in which he resides.
There is a few inches above his head, behind him is a faded tired picture of the Last Supper of Christ with another above it of the classic picture of
the Guardian Angel leading two barefoot children across an old broken wood bridge. To his right is a little bed side table, with fancy gringo wipes
and tissue, a bottle of water, a glass with some horrid tasting tea with a straw, a fresh cutting of all colored roses, red, lavender, orange like the
sun set, blue, yellow and white, Of course there is a little tin niche of the Virgin of Guadalupe that I gave to Dona Lupe her last Saints day, and
which she placed next to my Dad to watch over him on his way. Next to that is the print out of all your well wishes and thoughts that I have shared
with him when he has a lucid moment without pain. Or, even when he is just ?sleeping?, sometimes I pull them out and read them aloud to him yet again.
There is a typical old freestanding ropero, a stack of bedding for whom will pass the night is tended on top. Than there is the door that you never
know who will enter thru next to pay homage to the Old Don. To the right of the door is his book case of Classic Western novels, a collection of Old
National Geographic, a few of his treasures from Saudi. There also sits a little clay cartoon character cowboy riding an old Indian Chief Moto, a gift
given to him the last time he saw his best bud, Dave Deal. Next to the bookcase is his dresser with all those meds sitting on top. He has the best
medication available thanks to the good doctors at the V.A., an 02 maker jimmy?d open made to run with a fan attached to it in the true tradition of
Mexican mickey mouse genius. Above the dresser is a picture of my sister Wilma as a little girl, and to the right directly facing him is a water color
painting of an old adobe casita in La Capilla with Flat Rock in the back ground, done by his grand daughter, Tehroma, and given to him for his
birthday years ago.
There are visitors to this room daily, family and friends of both cultures, all ages, and of all economic status, they come to pay their respects and
convey their Love to this grand Ol Man.
In spite of the circumstances, I agree, he is one heck of a Lucky guy, he breeched the cultures and has always been his own Man. Dad has a comfortable
hospital bed with clean sheets and fluffy pillows, family and friends surround him. He has the best meds and Doctors who dispersed them with Love and
respect for him. For sure, he is bathed daily and rubbed with lotion by his dear angel and nurse, Char. Yes, surly he is in the best circumstances for
his situation; he truly is a very lucky man.
Yes, I am surly Lucky to go these trials with him, as hard as this may be, I am so grateful to the powers that be for permitting me these last days
with my dear Papa.
He can go now any minute, any day, only his Maker knows, my last communication with him, he mentioned getting in his jeep, turning on the motor, I
asked his where he was going and he said Home and that it was snowing. He is sleeping now.
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Ski Baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 652
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
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In honor
Eli, if he was getting in his Jeep and it was snowing, he was loving it I'll bet.
Although there is much sadness in many homes right now because of your Father, he has brought so much happiness to so many with his life that he is
willing to share. He is with those he loves and reliving fond memories. Incredible way to say goodbye.
If you and the Don approve, I would consider it an honor to put a plaque in his favorite place or one of his specifications here in Baja. Anywhere!
If possible, he could mark it on a map and I will get it there. Seems like he enjoyed the maps as much as I do. Last two visits ( "bring in the
maps") from Don Jimmy himself. A true adventurer always.
My utmost respect goes to your Dad.
Bien Viaje Don Jimmy J.R.
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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Descanse en Paz el Sr Jimmy.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Papa slipped away as he chose, peacefuly in his sleep with his family at his side today at 12:45 p.m. We will have mass for him tomorrow morning at
8:30 p.m. at the Los Barriles Catolic Church and bury him mid morning in the L.B. grave yard.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Adios Amigo: May you fly with the angels!
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
Member Is Offline
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To all your family, Eli and Lupe
I'm sorry I don't have Don Jimmy's email to put this in person (I thought I did)
Dona Lupe, Eli, Wilma...and the rest of the family and friends.....Our hearts go soaring to you, I know it is harder than words can express....as sad
as I am right now, I can only feel part of your pain....my heart aches for you, Please know that Don Jimmy will be be loved always and Brendan and I
will say a Rosary for him tonight. God's speed Jimmy......
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Stephanie Jackter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 566
Registered: 11-3-2002
Location: Arizona
Member Is Offline
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I'm happy to hear that he's even going in the ground Mexican style.
It's so much more respectful of the dead and those who survive to be put to rest hours instead of days after death in a simple way and without having
to mortgage the house to do it.
When my dad passed away, he'd been living in Mexico for 30 years and being a Jew, he really liked the idea of being put in the ground Mexican style,
without embalming or refrigeration and within 24 hours in a simple pine box with just the Kaddish for ceremony - ashes to ashes in the most
non-convoluted way he could think of.
Instead, he made the mistake of passing away while waiting on a transplant list in California, where they insisted on charging thousands of extra
dollars to put his simple pine box inside of a state mandated hermetically sealed steal sarcophogous that would last a thousand years.
If I make the mistake of dying on this side of the border, I hope somebody will sneak what's left of me down to Nogales (hopefully, they won't get the
red light!), and put me to rest the right way, as goes Jimmy's body today.
Rest in Peace, Jimmy. - Stephanie
When the goin' gets tough, the wierd turn pro
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Ski Baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 652
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
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Don Jimmy Smith
May your adventures and explorations continue with the love of your family, peace and tranquility always at your side.
Thank you for being who you are. Via con Dios mi Amigo. J.R.
It's time for a return to Addams Family values!
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Don Jimmy Passed Away this afternoon
That Old Slinger of Ink, Jimmy, passed away this afternoon at 12:45 pm.
Let's all use the next few days to leave messages about Jimmy here and on Baja. Net for his family.
All I can say now is that all of us will have a small hole in our hearts but we all will carry a soft spot in our souls for J.P.Smith until we meet
him to share stories of Baja sometime in the future.
Saludos y Paz Jimmy
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Sonora Wind
Nomad
Posts: 228
Registered: 9-25-2003
Member Is Offline
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Forever with us
When I'm on the Cortez, I sometimes feel the spirits of those who have gone before. From this day forth, when I feel they are near I will smile and
remember Don Jimmy. Thank you for all you have given us.
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Encantada
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Eli,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us and to give us this very intimate glimpse of such a private time in your life and the life of
your father. I'm sure there were hundreds of us here in Cyberland saying prayers for your family. We've been right here with you every day. (We
even know what his room looks like!).
Thank you for your gift of allowing us to be there with you during the last days of Don Jimmy.
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4342
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
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Eli, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Dona Lupe and the rest of Jimmy's extended family.
Jimmy's life and the way he lived it fully is a constant inspiration to all of us. Tonight are hearts are filled with sadness for the loss.
We celebrate the life of a man who has touched the lives of so many others. We should all be so lucky to leave a legacy such as his.
Matthew & Barbara Pebley
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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I met Jimmy, in person, for the first and only time on July 26, 1980. How do I know that with such precision? From my flight log and from a log I
was keeping of all my Baja trips at the time. It was at Punta Colorada, where Jimmy was fixing something, and Bob Van Wormer introduced him to us. I
went back and looked at what I wrote about that day,
"Caught 38# dorado less than an hour out, just before crew found water in diesel fuel. Back on the PCL patio at 10:30am, where we met Jim Smith, and
spent several hours of fascinating conversation with him and Bob van Wormer. Jim has been in Baja for 30 years, lives in San Ignacio. Warm, salty,
magnetic personality. This guy is going to be famous."
I wrote that more than 23 years ago. He did indeed become famous. Hasta la proxima vez, Don Jimmy.
++Ken++
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Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy contento
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Don Jimmy
Good bye sweet soul . You will be greatly missed. May God bess you and keep you in the palm of his hand forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to
you and your family. God Bless you all, keri
[Edited on 1-4-2004 by Keri]
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
Member Is Offline
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Jimmy
Your soul has gone on to the next world, but your spirit remains in the thoughts of all who loved you. Not many can say that they did what they could
to make this world a better place....but you did. Now it is time for rest.
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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