jtval 0 #1 October 10, 2011 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.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kristenskydiver 1 #2 October 10, 2011 We love you Fonz.. you were awesome! I'm so so glad to have been able to know you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #3 October 10, 2011 BSBD Fonz!!! It was truly a pleasure to know you. I loved listening to your stories and hearing you teach students. The picture of your 70's area wingsuit is classic and should be in a frame in the DZ hangar. You lived it!!!! Fly free!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #4 October 10, 2011 Unbelievable.To Jim's wife Jean, our deepest condolences. John Mitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vegasclimber 0 #5 October 10, 2011 Damned bad news. Condolences to his family and the passenger's family as well. Fonz was an awesome guy and he will be dearly missed. Very sad day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarrellM5 0 #6 October 10, 2011 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #7 October 10, 2011 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. This sucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SStewart 13 #8 October 10, 2011 Quote Unbelievable.To Jim's wife Jean, our deepest condolences. John Mitchell You know, Jim was here just a month or so ago and I COULD have jumped with him but I was busy, blah blah blah. I would really like to have that day back,Onward and Upward! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #9 October 10, 2011 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdobleman 0 #10 October 10, 2011 Damn, it was great to see Fonz at LP this year. This really sucks. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #11 October 10, 2011 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...... MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #12 October 10, 2011 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 " bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmpnla 0 #13 October 10, 2011 I believe Fonz lived this quote. "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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petehill 0 #14 October 10, 2011 Tony Ross sent me this shot of Jim and Jean Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wightout 0 #15 October 10, 2011 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 To borrow a line from Squeak...MY LIFE ROCKS!! HOW'S YOURS??!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poolmarty 0 #16 October 10, 2011 I found this in History and Trivia. James is next to last on the right. We last visited with James and Jean at LP. Always liked jumping or just chatting with them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #17 October 10, 2011 QuoteI found this in History and Trivia. James is next to last on the right. We last visited with James and Jean at LP. Always liked jumping or just chatting with them. Wrong. Fonnesbeck is in the bib overalls. bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poolmarty 0 #18 October 10, 2011 I stand corrected. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petehill 0 #19 October 11, 2011 Wow, that must be from the old Seagull Squad days...??? My memory is getting bad.. I recognize some of those faces and can't name em. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #20 October 11, 2011 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.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trig78 0 #21 October 11, 2011 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivepeaks 0 #22 October 11, 2011 Can't say anything that hasn't been said. Gonna miss you Fonz. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #23 October 11, 2011 KSL did a pretty decent job of reporting. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=17608945 MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #24 October 12, 2011 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?" I'm sure going to miss my friend. Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #25 October 12, 2011 Quote 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 " Sorry about the loss. mh . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
