Oct 9, 2011, 8:09 PM
Post #1 of 32
(3886 views)
Shortcut
James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
Can't Post
It is with great sorrow that I bid you farewell you were a great friend and mentor.
Fonz, the last time we spoke you said a few words to me that I have reflected upon ever since. I am happy to have known you and appreciate the energizing words you left me with. Unfortunately, you'll never know how much that casual conversation meant to me. Again, Thank you for your friendship and mentorship. I only hope I can be so inspiring someday.
If you're just reading this see the incident thread for incoming information.
Oct 9, 2011, 10:33 PM
Post #6 of 32
(3711 views)
Shortcut
Re: [JohnMitchell] James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I met Fonz and Jean last weekend in Mesquite. They were so warm and friendly that I felt like an old friend right away. I've been telling my friends about this incredible person I met who has 11,000 jumps in a career going back to 1968. Knowing that I'm fairly new to the sport, Fonz was giving me safety advice on the plane ride up. I'm shocked and deeply saddened by this tragedy. My heart goes out to his family and the family of the student.
Oct 9, 2011, 10:45 PM
Post #7 of 32
(3700 views)
Shortcut
Re: [DarrellM5] James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I had the pleasure of hanging out with Jim again and doing tandems with him at Fred's place at LP this summer. He was an old timer when I started, and still going strong. He had seen and done it all.
Oct 9, 2011, 10:49 PM
Post #9 of 32
(3692 views)
Shortcut
Re: [SStewart] James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Too many times this sport has made me feel that way, and taught me to appreciate all my friends, all the time. That lazy Sunday hanging out and chatting with Jim again, doing some tandems . . . yeah, I'm gonna hang on to that.
Oct 10, 2011, 6:44 AM
Post #11 of 32
(3510 views)
Shortcut
Re: [JohnMitchell] James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I feel privileged to have known Fonz if even for a little while. My heart is breaking for Jean and the family of the student as well as everyone in Mesquite. This just sucks......
Oct 10, 2011, 7:09 AM
Post #12 of 32
(3483 views)
Shortcut
Re: [catfishhunter] James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Damn , I've known jim for 30 years and jumped with him many hundreds of times , I never ever thought he would go out this way. We learned tandem together and as somebody posted earlier....he was rock solid , I learned a lot from his years of experience.. Go easy bro , you will be missed "
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, 'WOW . . . That was one Hell of a ride!' "
Fonz always had an amazing attitude with a smile on his face...You couldn't help but be in a good mood when around him. We all will miss you.
Oct 10, 2011, 9:37 AM
Post #15 of 32
(3341 views)
Shortcut
Re: [petehill] James "FONZ" Fonnesbeck
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I was sitting around the DZ this summer, and I think it was a Sunday, cause Fonz wasn't husseling doing tandems, and we were just talking for a minute, but we were talking about his wife. I honestly don't remember what it was that she had just accomplished, but it was something skydiving/jump related. He was just telling me how proud he was of her. It was very sweet and something I will always remember. Fonz is someone, if my mom were ever going to jump...that's who would have taken her! I will miss seeing his smile at the DZ.
This pic is John (my husband in red) and one of our customers who won a skydive (from us), with Fonz as the TI. Summer 2010
(This post was edited by wightout on Oct 10, 2011, 10:06 AM)
All, There has been a site set up to send donations to Jean. If you would like to donate please visit this link
For those interested in helping the students' family there will be more info to come. ETA: the site for Claudette's family she was the student who lost her life with Fonz.
(This post was edited by jtval on Oct 10, 2011, 9:44 PM)
Very sorry to hear this. I met Fonz first time I was at Mesquite in 2009 and he quickly became my favourite person there. Great attitude and always there to help a noob. My sincere condolences to family and friends.
I'll remember Fonz as a good friend. On several occasions he would meet me in the parking lot at Skydive Ogden and say "Hey Millertime, you got a cigarette I can get" or when I showed him my new Pilot and he said "where's the rest of it?"
Damn , I've known jim for 30 years and jumped with him many hundreds of times , I never ever thought he would go out this way. We learned tandem together and as somebody posted earlier....he was rock solid , I learned a lot from his years of experience.. Go easy bro , you will be missed "
Jim Fonnesbeck and his bride Jean.jpg
1
