James Santiago Manuel "Jim" Cuevas

Jim and I were friends for 35 years and I can't believe that I'm writing about him in the past tense. Jim came into my life when I was looking for someone to escort me to a black tie affair. The man I worked for said, "Why don't you ask Mr. Cueavs. I am certain he owns a black tie." Well, I asked him and he did not own a black tie, but he went to Littlers and bought one. Over several years he wore it often and he always laughed and said he thought he looked like the head waiter at...

Jim - I met you when I was 22, just out of college. A famous man in Seatlle's social crowd, a German, Mr. R.K. Lightner directed me to "Go (as he said at the time) and meet a man whom I believe is no doubt a relative of yours"- After meeting you, it was clear that Mr. Lightner most likely said this to me largely because he took delight in your unabashed "character," I know you kept my attention, even though at the time, "Cher" was in the building buying a Rolls and a Jensen Healey - she would...

Jim, I will never forget your fabulous story about driving the first XKE in the area. Your eyes twinkled as you related driving at 100 mph and then holding your elbow high in the air as you moved the lever, so that the people you had just passed would realize you had upshifted. I often think of the signed picture of Fangio over your desk at Ravenna Motors. I remember the many times we met at CART races and the NW Historics. You always had a story I hadn't heard before, even if you were...

Uncle Jim, you've mentioned more than once, that you've regretted not being able to forge a better relationship with Kevin, Raymond, and myself because of the distance between us and as a result missed us growing up. But, if you will, maybe it's time to look at it a little differently-to us you were our wondrous Uncle Jim-the one who sent us Christmas cards dressed up like Lawrence of Arabia on a camel or a picture of you with John Wayne. Most recently, you were a look a like of Sean Connery...