James Dern Jr.

It has been ten years, and I still miss his kindness and his wisdom.

I am in shock - Jim "Donatello" was a good online friend, his passing came far too early. He encouraged me in my artwork and was a wonderful person with whom to discuss all manner of things. He was a good, sincere, outstandingly intelligent, sensitive and creative man. I am glad that he found happiness and a family, and all my sympathies are with his wife, daughters and grandchild(ren) whom he loved so dearly and so joyfully. Adieu mon ami.

R.I.P, Jim "Donatello"

He was a gentleman and a scholar

I've waited to add my words to this memorial for Jim, because holding my words and thinking before I release them is something I'm not very good at. I think that ability is something, quite recently actually, that Jim was trying to teach me and since most of us don’t asked to be taught a lesson, sometimes we need that very thing and only realize it later.

I guess that's what family does for each other and Jim was certainly part of the family. Jim was part of our online family...

To the Family of James Dern;

My sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, father and grandfather.
He let us know that his love for all of you had made him so happy in the past couple of years and that he was changed by that love. I hope that brings comfort and joy in knowing he felt complete because of all of you.
I hope your sorrow will not be with you long, and the memories will bring you peace.

There's this task we must all do for our...

I will miss Jim. He was a good friend, a good listener, a careful adviser, a man who was always kind and wanted always to be fair. He offered his praise freely and tempered any necessary criticisms with careful gentleness so the receiver could accept it without feeling stupid. He took constructive criticism easily and never held it against anyone for saying so. In fact, he actually sought it out from the team of moderators whenever he was unsure as to the fairness of an action taken on the...

Over the years, I grew to consider Mr. Dern’s online personality as our resident historian. Always a thought-provoking read, especially on the occasions when several other military veterans, history enthusiasts, and even a couple of young university doctorates were engaged with “Donatello” in discussion regarding moments in our American history, and their effects on our society at home and around the world. Another brilliant mind has been lost, and far too young.

I'm saddened to hear about his passing. Like Michael, I first encountered him on the MSNBC Religion & Ethics Board over a decade ago. James was always a lively writer, engaging others about their ideas and expressing himself with uncommon sense. He was a fun and freidnly person who will be missed.

I've known Jim for over 11 years. Never met him face to face but considered him to be a great and wonderful friend. I came to know him behind the scenes when three of us monitored a political discussion board a few years ago. This began the e-mails that allowed me to know him better. The more I learned about him the better I liked, respected, and trusted him.

Early on it was very apparent that of all the people who posted on the bulletin boards he had some kind of unique and...