Author Topic: Jim Thomerson (Read 8519 times)

Mark Allen · « **on:** January 04, 2015, 04:14:47 PM »

Jim passed away early this morning. He will certainly be missed.

Mark Allen

Dennis Leonhardi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2015, 04:21:09 PM »

I'm very sorry to hear that. Never met Jim, but we corresponded by email from time to time, and he mailed me photos of some of his aircraft. He sure seemed like a guy you'd like to be around.

My prayers and best wishes for his family.

Dennis

RC Storick · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2015, 04:52:34 PM »

Quote from: Mark Allen on January 04, 2015, 04:14:47 PM

Jim passed away early this morning. He will certainly be missed.

Mark Allen

This is sad news.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2015, 05:13:54 PM »

I am stunned.

Mike

Curare · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2015, 05:42:49 PM »

I've had many coversations with Jim over the years on a number of forums. Very sad to hear of his passing away.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2015, 05:48:47 PM »

Very sad news. I offer my prayers for his family.

This sort of thing is becoming a too often occurrance in my life of late!

I've always known that old age would bring it's share of pain, but the continuous loss of friends is the worst of all!

Randy Cuberly

Mike Keville · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:03:00 PM »

We seem to be 'going' rather rapidly lately.

Inevitable, I suppose. It shouldn't be long before there's no one left except button-pushing Quad-copter flyers.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:07:30 PM »

Wow, really sad news. Jim was a true gentleman of the sport. He was always willing to help others. He will be missed.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:08:33 PM »

I had not seen Jim post on either forum in a while, and I had a feeling all was not well. Jim lived in the St. Louis area for a number of years and was a valued member of the Lafayette Esquadrille control line club. He moved back to his home state of Texas a few years ago after retiring from teaching at SIU Edwardsville, I believe. One of the most intelligent men I have ever met and also one of the most down to earth and kindest man I have ever known. Along with another local modeler, the late Jim Wilson, one of the best diesel engine men I ever saw. God bless you Jim and fair winds and tight lines.
Dan McEntee

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:23:29 PM »

Terrible news to hear about. I never met Jim but like many others have had an opportunity to correspond with him. Always a gentleman and a fountain of knowledge. I'll miss his posts on the forums and the practical details that they contained.

Dennis

john e. holliday · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:48:58 PM »

This is such a shock. I've known Jim for so many years and he was just like family. My son and I would compete with him and his son at the St Louis contests. He was missed when he moved, but then I got to see him at VSC and other places. Prayers Jim's family.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2015, 07:11:39 PM »

Very sorry to hear that. I met Jim at VSC and he was a good guy. We lost a good one.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2015, 07:19:59 PM »

A frequent judge at the VSC, Jim was very much into OTS designs, and a real gentleman. He will be missed.

Andrew Hathaway · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2015, 07:19:59 PM »

I don't remember ever meeting Jim, but I'll miss his contributions on the various forums.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2015, 08:39:56 PM »

So sorry to hear about Jims passing. I spent time talking to him at both Sigs control line meet, and at VSC. One of my favorite comments by Jim was the year we went to the field at VSC and it was sleeting, cold, and windy. I got out of the van and sidled up to Jim. He looked out across the field and said, " This is not as advertised." It was his dry humor of the moment that cracked me up.

Norm Faith Jr. · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2015, 08:54:11 PM »

Having just found out that Jim passed away; the vision of my first being made aware of who he was, just came to me with a smile. I first saw and met Jim at one of my first meets in Dallas. He was flying a little Flight Streak with a hot rod TD on it. ( I believe he ran a diesel on it also) It was a good looking model too, with semi-transparent yellow silk span with red trim. He flew the little plane with authority and precision. I made a point that day to watch all of his flights. Not long after the Dallas meet, I was at the meet in Houston and noticed some strange looking creatures that were living in the water of the surrounding drain ditches. Jim told me what they were and how they got there and a bunch of other cool stuff. Up until then I had no idea of Jim's professional back ground; no wonder he knew so much about that kind of stuff. Jim was a good flyer, builder, judge and a real gentleman. I'll miss seeing him at the meets.
God's speed Jim

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2015, 11:05:24 PM »

Very saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I was privileged to work with him on a number of occasions judging at VSC and found him to be both grand company and well versed on the intricacies of our event. Serious, knowledgeable and universally appreciated. My condolences to his family and those who shared my admiration for Jim.

Ted Fancher

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2015, 11:33:58 PM »

I grew up flying with Jim up in St Louis, and once I got to Ft Hood for my first assignment, was very glad to hear that he was a local. His presence significantly softened the "shock" of being (permanantly) away from home. Mine DMAA were nothing short of warm and welcoming, but it was a great help to have a familiar face. Always liked seeing Jim and made sure to sit and talk to him about the old days (relative to my age, of course!)

I got a phone call early last month from an Army buddy with whom I served on my first trip to Iraq. His grandparents went to church with Jim and his wife, and he had met Jim a couple of times. He called me to tell me that Jim's cancer had reached stage 4. Jim and a few of the Austin guys flew down in Round Rock, and wanted to go down and at least visit sometime this month. I'm sad that I won't get the chance.

Tailwinds Jim!

GregArdill · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2015, 11:58:11 PM »

I'm very sad to hear this news. Jim was a true gentleman.

RIP Jim.

Hoss Cain · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2015, 12:19:52 AM »

What a SHOCK !!! Jim Thomerson was definitely a GREAT person, a true Gentleman in all things he was a part of.
My day just went very DARK. Can't say any more right now.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2015, 05:42:59 AM »

This is a terrible loss to our community. Jim was a gentleman's gentleman. I first met Jim at VSC and instantly liked and respected him. He always had time to chat and we had some great conversations. He's was one of those people who you thought would just always be there. Jim was an integral part of the fabric of our hobby/sport and will be missed by all who knew him.

God Speed Jim Thomerson.

Bob Hunt

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2015, 07:52:27 AM »

I only had the pleasure of meeting Jim through this forum, he was a very good voice for OTS and aero modeling in general. I shall also miss him. God Bless Jim and his family...

eric rule · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2015, 10:43:04 AM »

This is sad news indeed! Jim was a nice gentleman who contributed much to our hobby. I will certainly miss visiting with him at the VSC.

rustler · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2015, 01:23:59 PM »

Everything Eric said. A real gent who will be sadly missed.

proparc · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:35:02 PM »

Jim Thomerson was my friend. I flew his planes and shared many stories with him. I am personally responsible for putting one of his freeflight planes permanently on a school roof. I offered to let Jim fly my big Saito 72 powered stunt ship but at that time, he knew he wouldn't be able to handle it and he, like the gentleman he was, respectfully declined.

Jim like myself, was a modeler "from the old school", and I enjoyed being around him every minute. Another one of us has passed.

Andrew Tinsley · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2015, 03:19:37 PM »

I am distressed to hear this sad news, Jim was a real old school gentleman and very free with his time and experience. Jim was quite a diesel man and there were very few of those in the US.

Andrew.

Bill Little · « **Reply #26 on:** January 05, 2015, 03:24:30 PM »

I never met Jim in person, but felt like I knew him through the forums. He was always willing to share his knowledge, and he was very knowledgeable about many aspects of the hobby. I will sorely miss all of this. My prayers for Jim, his family and friends and all that knew him.

Bill

George · « **Reply #27 on:** January 05, 2015, 04:44:53 PM »

I'm another one that did not have the pleasure of meeting Jim personally, but my prayers are for Jim and his family. As so many others have expressed...he will be missed.

George

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2015, 08:14:58 PM »

Well heck. Sad news to start off the week. I haven't seen him in quite a few years, but I remember he always had something interesting to fly at VSC, often with a diesel. Here's a pic from 2007 in Dallas. The plane is one of his diesel powered ships from a long ago VSC. I think it's a British design called the Cougar.

RknRusty · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2015, 08:32:37 PM »

Is that Jim on the left. Thanks for the picture.
Though we'd mailed magazines and airplane bits back and forth I never had a face to match with the name. When I restarted my CL hobby a few years ago and found RC Groups, he was one of the members that would always give me straight no nonsense advice. One of a few who I sincerely thank for getting me back in the air with planes that would fly straight... well, our kind of straight. Thanks Jim.
Rusty

Steve Thornton · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2015, 12:40:49 AM »

Jim was the first person I met at the first contest I attended just before I started flying again. I told him of the planes and engines I had built and flown with my uncle, and told him I wanted to start again but didn't know what I should build first etc. He showed me a solid wing plane that he had brought to Dallas and said it would be an excellent trainer and asked if I would like to fly it. I would not even consider flying someone elses plane after my 45 year absence, but was amazed and touched by his kindness and sincere interest in me, a newcomer. What a fine gentleman and such great loss.
My prayers for Jim's family,
Steve

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2015, 08:10:03 AM »

Very sad news, my prayers for his family.

PerttiMe · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2015, 12:56:55 PM »

Sad news.
I only occasionally saw his posts on this forum and elsewhere: always knowledgeable and helpful. Especially, I noticed him pointing interested newbies in the right direction.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2015, 08:48:07 PM »

Any word of any funeral arrangements or memorial for Jim? Some place to send flowers or a card?
Thanks in advance,
Dan McEntee

RknRusty · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2015, 09:12:44 PM »

I can't find an obituary for any Thomerson in the Dallas area. I'll keep looking.
Rusty

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #35 on:** January 06, 2015, 09:19:06 PM »

Quote from: RknRusty on January 06, 2015, 09:12:44 PM

I can't find an obituary for any Thomerson in the Dallas area. I'll keep looking.
Rusty

Try the Austin area.

Jim Hoffman · « **Reply #36 on:** January 06, 2015, 10:19:06 PM »

Jim was a VSC regular. Last year we initiated an Exhibition event to create a venue for folks to bring something cool from yesteryear. The event originators had guys like Jim Thomerson in mind. Jim did not disappoint, he brought gaggle of great OTS models to share last March.

Jim Hoffman

RknRusty · « **Reply #37 on:** January 07, 2015, 03:00:10 AM »

NIce. Anyone have a picture of his Cheap Thrill? Or a video.

Thanks, Crist. I'll do an Austin search. Check back late this Morning est.
Rusty

Steve_Pollock · « **Reply #38 on:** January 07, 2015, 10:33:04 AM »

The Cheap Thrill article is in the December 1998 MA, page 156

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #39 on:** January 07, 2015, 11:04:13 AM »

Quote from: Jim Kraft on January 04, 2015, 08:39:56 PM

So sorry to hear about Jims passing. I spent time talking to him at both Sigs control line meet, and at VSC. One of my favorite comments by Jim was the year we went to the field at VSC and it was sleeting, cold, and windy. I got out of the van and sidled up to Jim. He looked out across the field and said, " This is not as advertised." It was his dry humor of the moment that cracked me up.

I keep re-reading this and can actually hear Jim saying this in my head! That was most certainly a Jim Thomerson quote! If you saw Jim for the first time , looking at him you may not get the correct impression of what Jim was all about. After ten minutes of conversation with him, you knew he was more than just a chubby guy in a straw cowboy hat! Jim was a college professor and well respected botanist, I do believe. As I said before, he was one of the most intelligent men that I ever knew and could converse on just about any subject. And Jim Kraft is spot on about his sense of humor. Things like the quote he mentioned would just pop out at the appropriate time. After Jim moved back to Texas, he would make the trip back here for our annual Broken Arrow Stunt and Scale Contest to fly and help out with judging. A few years ago, he had an accident on the way here and rolled his van, totaling it. I would have probably just called it a day and went home, but Jim got a rental car and finished the trip. He was in obvious pain and discomfort, but never complained and judged several events. I'll never forget that. Like Bob Hunt said, he was just one of those guys you thought would always be there. He had a few articles published in Model Aviation that are well worth reading. He was one of the people that formed the base and foundation of our hobby. I'm glad I knew him and could call him my friend.
Thanks a lot Jim,
Dan McEntee

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #40 on:** January 07, 2015, 12:03:28 PM »

The loss of Jim is sad, indeed. He and I shared a fondness for small diesels, and we both had built Ron Prentices's Big Fry stunter. We exchanged many e-mails about that and other small British OTS stunters.

Floyd

Garf · « **Reply #41 on:** January 07, 2015, 01:10:06 PM »

This is happening far too often. We need to take better care of ourselves.

Serge_Krauss · « **Reply #42 on:** January 09, 2015, 04:20:12 PM »

Jim was very kind to me when I first met him at VSC. He then furnished me with the Cougar Plans. He must have built more than one, because the very nicely finished one he had in his van that year was not the one pictured above. He also sent me an interesting article about generating airfoils (wing sections) appropriate to I-Beamed wings and popped up with an e-mail or two about topics discussed on the forums. I also got his plans for his CL stunt wing, which is nicely conceived and layed out. He was a good thinker with true dedication to crafting and preserving the heritage of CL stunt and other aeromodeling. I think that his thoughtful and cogent remarks on the forums, as well as his field presence were a real asset to the hobby, and I'll miss him a lot too. This is SO sad!

SK

Dennis Leonhardi · « **Reply #43 on:** January 10, 2015, 02:06:31 AM »

Here are a couple of photos Jim mailed to me some years back, his "Agile Arrow" and another, the name of which I've forgotten ...

Dennis

pipemakermike · « **Reply #44 on:** January 10, 2015, 05:49:45 AM »

Jim was very helpful to me and send me plans for a couple of stunt models suitable for my Arden or Bantam 19 spark engines. The 2 he sent were the FM Stunt Trainer (Dec 1949) and the Tipsy Junior (AirTrails Oct 1949). He also sent the attached picture of his Arden powered FM Stunt Trainer.
I was looking forward to sending him pictures of my FM Stunt Trainer when it was finished but........

RknRusty · « **Reply #45 on:** January 10, 2015, 10:31:39 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Leonhardi on January 10, 2015, 02:06:31 AM

Here are a couple of photos Jim mailed to me some years back, his "Agile Arrow" and another, the name of which I've forgotten ...

Dennis

That Blue and Orange one his self designed Cheap Thrill I was asking about in one of my above posts. It was in MA in Dec.'98. I think he drew it for a Tee Dee .049 and a TD .09.

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #46 on:** November 04, 2018, 05:00:32 PM »

Elwyn Aud posted this pic on facebook. Nice one of Jim so I thought I would share

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #47 on:** November 04, 2018, 06:34:17 PM »

Wow, what a shame. Jim came to many of the SIg contests and always helped out and judge more than almost everyone, alway a rock at the SIg contest. On top of that, Jim was my good friend and we had some really funny conversation. He was a hoot and like so many have said “A real gentalman in all aspects”.

He will me missed,
Mikey

P.S. Does anybody have plans for Jim Agile Arrow?

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #48 on:** November 04, 2018, 07:25:46 PM »

Jim was one of those guys I call a foundation block of stunt and modeling in general. A really nice guys, super intelligent but very good sense of humor. To look at him at a contest, you wouldn't know he was a world renowned botanist and a college professor. The airplane is one of his Shark .15's with what looks like a Cox .09 or a .15, but I believe used an .09 on that airplane. He had a couple fo designs published, such as the Cheap Thrill and some other how to articles. He was a good builder, flyer and contest judge, and he is certainly missed by us in the St. Louis area. He was great with diesels also and I wish I had pursued that aspect of engines while he was still with us and I could have tutored under him. I believe I may have a set of plans for the Agile Arrow or a kit but may take a while before I can get to looking for it, Mikey. I'll keep you .
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #49 on:** November 06, 2018, 09:56:25 AM »

I believe I may have a set of plans for the Agile Arrow or a kit but may take a while before I can get to looking for it, Mikey. I'll keep you .
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
[/quote]

Thanks Dan, I alway wanted copy of the plans for Jim’s Agile Arrow, I’m kinda of a flying wing nut LOL. I watched Jim fly it at the SIg Contest and was impressed on how it flew.

Later,
Mikey

Annette Elmore 1954 · « **Reply #50 on:** November 06, 2018, 02:06:40 PM »

Sad.

Jim was a lovely gent....

Bill Morell · « **Reply #51 on:** November 06, 2018, 04:38:42 PM »

Quote from: MikeyPratt on November 06, 2018, 09:56:25 AM

I believe I may have a set of plans for the Agile Arrow or a kit but may take a while before I can get to looking for it, Mikey. I'll keep you .
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Thanks Dan, I alway wanted copy of the plans for Jim’s Agile Arrow, I’m kinda of a flying wing nut LOL. I watched Jim fly it at the SIg Contest and was impressed on how it flew.

Later,
Mikey

You do have 2 kits and 2 sets of plans. At least that was what was in the box I sent to you.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #52 on:** November 07, 2018, 08:22:27 PM »

Quote from: Bill Morell on November 06, 2018, 04:38:42 PM

You do have 2 kits and 2 sets of plans. At least that was what was in the box I sent to you.

Hi Bill!
Thanks for the reminder. I just have to remember where I put the box! When I retire in a couple of years, I plan to spend a month or so going through EVERYTHING I have and rediscovering just what is there. It should be like a month long Christmas morning! I might have separated one set of plans, though.

Thanks a lot,
Dan McEntee

Author Topic: Jim Thomerson (Read 8519 times)

Mike Griffin