On Tuesday, April 8, 2014, my friend Jim Dardis, was traveling from his Southern Sierra home, where he lived, as a caretaker on my ranch, to his doctor in Lake Isabella. Jim was driving his beloved Dodge Town Wagon, when a woman in a Blazer, came across the double yellow and hit him head-on. Jim was severely injured and airlifted to a hospital where both drivers succumbed to their injuries. In a strange bit of fate, Jim had moved to his home on April 8, 2007.
The blazer was completely destroyed, the Cummins powered Dodge Townie had moderate damage but stayed upright.

At my and Paul inNY's urging, Jim had installed the Cummins himself, under a snow covered plastic canopy, in Shasta CA, during a winter of several snow storms and blizzards. Having lost his residence and tired of the cold winters, Jim headed south to thaw in the warmer Southern Sierra's about a 150 miles north of Los Angeles. Jim was a caring and trustworthy friend who never hesitated to go out of his way to offer a helping hand, or a bit of advice or counsel.
Having lived alone for most of the last 30 years, Jim was far from a recluse, easily making friends and meeting folks at his church. He was always lending a helping hand to others and he was a fierce missionary for his Lord. My phone has been ringing off the hook for the last two days with calls from his friends and neighbors. His life touched many, many people and as much time as he spent behind the keyboard, he also spent equal time on the phone and in person. Jim loved to interact with folks and he touched the lives of many, many people. Im proud to say he was my friend.
Norm