An enormous presence

Jim was first and foremost a great friend of mine. We met at Exeter University in October 1994. We were destined to spend time together from then on, given that I tended the bar that he drank in… and his brother later married my sister!

Jim was a great friend from the offset. Never short of sound advice, comedic anecdotes, trivia and well formed opinion.

We will all be thinking that things won’t be the same without Jim, and of course they won’t, but Jim’s influence on us was such that his enormous presence will live on.

I for one will not forget the way Jim could make a pint disappear in such flamboyant style; how he would describe fine wines and food with language and adjectives even a connoisseur would be proud of; how his dry wit oozed intelligence and knowledge beyond his years and how slowly he ate!!

My memories of Jim are of course extremely fresh and vivid. They will not grow dull quickly as they are such fond memories and I am surrounded by those who will continue to recount stories, look at photos and talk about him to each other.

Jim was a man very much in his prime, with all to give. He is also a man who gave a lot. I am proud to have known him and to have spent time with him.

I shall miss him greatly.

Posted on behalf of Lee Griffin