Remembering Jim

I'll never forget the first day we met Jim. Marilyn and I came to eastern Iowa to check out a job opportunity at a radio station licensed to "some town with rapids in it". It was July of 1979 and we were anticipating the birth of our first child. Less than a month later, Jim graciously offered us that job. Looking back on it now, I can really trace God's hand in all that's happened since those days. From the beginning, Jim believed in me as a person and willingly taught me the ropes of professional radio broadcasting. The fact that Cedar Rapids remains home some 28 years later is significant, I think. Eastern Iowa feels like home because Jim and Tootie made it home for the Calcara's from the first day we moved into that little 3 bedroom ranch in Marion. It seems like yesterday!

As boss, mentor, friend and "father", Jim Young will always be one of the most important people in my life. From Jim, I learned the importance of balancing family and work. It was Jim who regularly reminded me to "work smarter, not harder" providing gentle coaching over a cup of coffee in his office every morning. Time will not allow me to share all that I learned but the most significant lessons were the ones that marked our relationship as brothers. You see, because Jim allowed me the privilege of knowing him as my "brother in Christ", I could learn spiritual lessons from him as well...lessons that transcend the principles of business. Few people would have risked having such meaningful fellowship with a subordinate. But not Jim. To him, it was worth the risk.

For example, it was Jim who once shared with me that it was fairly easy for him as a Christian to believe that Jesus was God, but much harder to believe that He was a man as well. And yet His humanity is what makes Him a reachable God! Thank you Jim, for freely sharing the deepest part of yourself to someone like me.

Today we smile knowing that you're rejoicing with the angels in heaven always reaching greens in regulation; never to "three putt" again. I am proud to have been part of the "Tim and Jim Show" for 16 wonderful years. I shall miss you. We shall miss you. Tootie, thanks so much for sharing "JY" with us. Marilyn and I are praying for you and your family in this time of grieving.

Love,
"Timmy"
John 6:39-40