Jim Worby

I'm so sad to hear of my good friend's passing. Jim was a loyal friend and wonderful person. He also was truly, deeply, funny and real joy to be around. He mainly hung out in the Future Farmers of America offices and the welding room in high school. He was (at that time) the youngest person in the state of Washington to earn his welding certificate and could do complicated welds that many long-time professionals cound not. He taught me how to weld and to play poker.

Jim hung out with my family a lot in high school and even went on vacation with us. He was so much fun and seemed so wise, even back then. I remember one time my mom invited Jim to have dinner with us. He was so delighted but I tried to temper his delight because he didn't yet know that my mother was the worst cook in the world.

After dinner (a horrible salt-less affair, slightly burnt), My mother, fishing for a compliment, asked Jim how the dinner was. He smiled that huge smile of his, and gave her the best compliment he could think up: "It was better than k rations, Mam! "