James Wise

Jim was/is one of my best friends. We met 30 years ago when I moved in next door to him and Al on Bird River. He tried to teach me how to sail with little success...I wasn't very good at it. He taught me how to play poker and I spent many Saturday nights with him, Al, and Betty around his kitchen table honing my skills. Later in life it was MY table he and I sat around. When I taught 1st grade he would visit my classroom. He taught the children how to speak Chinese...always came to class...

Jim is a great guy and dear friend. I miss him. For the past fifteen years we had lunch, conversation and a game almost every Saturday. I knew his mind was still sharp when he beat me at cribbage our last get together. In earlier days we played poker (with my wife, Christy) or pool or tennis or chess. My first of many visits to his Bird River home was in 1973 when he invited our biology class to see a Baltimore Oriole nest. He was a sharp, interested student and received an "A" in Biology...

We will always love you