Skip to main content

Many of you have been keeping track of the postings of Jim Tighe of Galion, Ohio.  Jim had been posting about his battle with his cancer with his "Taking Down the Markers" comments.  Jim died Friday night, April 27 after a year long battle with cancer.  Jim had been taking morphine in his final month and his emails were a bit garbled here of late. 

 

Jim grew up in Muncie, IN, watching NKP steam.  He was fairly well versed in all things with 4 wheel trailing trucks and was also an enthusiast of the Packard automobile and Lionel trains.  Most of his adult life was spent in the Dayton, Ohio, area.   

 

I met Jim when he moved to Wapakoneta, Ohio (Lima area) about a decade ago.  He found me while looking for local rail enthusiasts.  Interesting, I hired his wonderful wife Sharon for my insurance office and we all became well acquainted. Jim later chose to move to Galion for family reasons but we stayed in touch.

 

After the cancer set in, I decided to arrange a cab ride for Jim while he was still strong enough.  Rich Melvin and I work closely on 765 business and we conspired to get him the ride that he waited for all his life and that was at the Cuyahoga Valley last September.  You may recall his commentary about the experience. 

 

Having heard nothing for a month, I called the house today to see how he was doing and to give him the latest reports on the 765 but ....the markers had been taken down.

 

If you choose to post any comments here, I will forward them to his wife.  If you wish to send a personal note to his house,  contact me through the Webmaster.

 

Wayne York

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

When I first joined the Forum. I asked so many questions,I guess we all do. Jim always chimed in with good sound advice and although we never met you get a feeling after reading a persons post's that they're an all around good guy.
I got that feeling about Jim.
Even after he told us about his cancer he was here and always a kind word
My condolences to his wife and family and may God welcome him into the fold.

David Cecil

I am really sorry to hear this, Wayne.

 

I clued Jim in on our 2012 765 schedule with Norfolk Southern a couple of months ago and swore him to secrecy. He emailed me back to tell me how much that news had lifted his spirits. And he kept his word about the confidentiality of the schedule, as I knew he would.

 

I had hoped Jim would be able to see the 765 on the point of a train on the NKP this summer before his time came. This is very sad news indeed. My condolences to his wife and family.

Wayne,

 

Thank you for the update. I was wondering if something was wrong since Jim hasn't posted recently.

 

Jim's words of courage near the end we truly inspiring. He faced his final days head on and always stayed positive. Something we can all learn from I'm sure.

 

My condolences to his wife, family and friends.

 

May the Good Lord bless you.

I always enjoyed reading his posts.  He was a true gentleman.  He will be missed.

 

 

Kent in SD

 

 

Now here's to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand
And always be remembered through the courts throughout the land
His earthly race is over, now the curtains round him fall
We'll carry him home to Glory on the Wabash Cannonball

          (Carter Family version, 1928)

Originally Posted by KOOLjock1:

Jim's life and death have been an inspiration to me.  He taught us all the way to live and then leave this life with courage and fortitude.

 

I, for one would like to thank his family for sharing him with us, for the fellowship he shared, and for the life he lived.

 

Jon 

I had a similar thought.  I know if someone I loved were dying, I would want to spend every second with them and probably have to fight being jealous of time spent with others.  I'd have to keep telling myself that for the sake of their happiness, they would also want to be with others.  Still, I imagine Sharon had to struggle to share Jim with us.  It was generous of her to do so.

Other than his posts here I did not know Jim, but he seemed like a fine gentleman. I am glad he was able to experience his cab ride on one of his beloved NKP's finest while he was wel enough. His battle with cancer was an inspiration, I only hope I could face it with the courage and dignity he did if I ever face the same thing. My condolences to his family and friends. Maybe the next time one of the frequent "Orange box" vs. Purple box" or scale vs. non-scale arguments flares up we can all take a breath and realize how short life is and move on to something more constructive.

thank you rich for moving this to the 3-rail forum.i never got the chance to meet jim in person, but felt like i did through his posts on the forum. jim took on his illness with  more calm and courage than i ever could have.may you have "clear" greens on your way to heaven. our railfan group has lost a great member.-jim

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×