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November, 2006

2100 Walnut Street

Kansas City, MO 64108

Local Chapter of MAFCA and MARC

NEWS

‘A’

LETTER

Heart of America Model A Ford Club

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Certificate of M erit” 2006

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A ward of

Continuing Excellence, 2005

He did everything well!

Normally, I like to salt my newsletter article with a little humor. However, as I write, I don’t feel very humorous. In fact,

I feel very sad and I grieve. Why? A long-time member of our club, and personal friend, Jim Bowes passed away. I’d

like to share some remembrances of Jim.

My first remembrances of Jim were at a Heart of America Model A Ford Club meeting back in 2000. At that time the

club needed a “Tour and Activities Director.” There didn’t seem to be any takers, so I volunteered not knowing what I

was getting myself into. After the meeting I passed by the table where Jim was seated. He stopped me and said, “Chris,

don’t worry, I’ll help you.” This quick exchange happened over six years ago yet I still remember it because of Jim’s

kindness. Jim was a card-carrying member of the Eastern Jackson County Division of the Heart of America Model A

Ford Club. This prestigious group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Price Chopper in Blue Springs.

Every so often these meetings were very animated and filled with passion as members exchanged viewpoints. Rarely did

Jim get involved in these verbal encounters. Rather he’d sit back and smile. I eventually learned the reason why Jim held

back. People were more important to him than the cars. I remember Jim had a wonderful sense of humor. I never saw

him come out with a big belly laugh, although he came close a time or two when he read one of my newsletter articles.

Jim’s humor was reflected in his smile and a chuckle. Jim was a patient and kind teacher. He’d never give advice unless

asked and was always willing to learn something new about restoring or maintaining a Model A.

Some years ago, due to a heart condition, Jim passed out while he tried to clear the snow on his driveway. From that

time, it seemed his health went into a slow, but steady decline.

A few days after Jim’s death, I called on his wife, Marge. She sat on the couch and I sat beside her. Throughout most of

our visit, Marge didn’t look at me. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead. It didn’t take long to understand why. She slowly

turned her head and looked at me, immediately bursting into tears. She said, “I don’t want to cry. I must be strong!” I

said, “Marge, you need to cry. We all need to cry.” The tears slowly went away. Then I said, “Marge, tell me about Jim.”

She thought just for a moment and said, “He was loving, kind, patient, faithful and devoted. He did everything well.”

She went on to say how Jim enjoyed giving to and helping others. For example, he was instrumental in getting two chil-

dren into the Shrine Burns Center. She continued to share several instances where Jim would help someone and never

say a word. So, we need to add humility to the list of things that Jim did well.

Our conversation continued as Marge told me how they enjoyed cruising. I’ve never been on a cruise ship so naturally I

interpreted “cruising” to mean cruising in one of their Model A cars like couples did back in the fifties. However, I

quickly found out I was wrong when she said they had been to France, Spain, the Mediterranean and several other

places. Now, I’m not the smartest guy around, but I figured driving to France, Spain and the Mediterranean would be too

long of a drive in a Model A, so cruising probably meant a cruise ship. All those exotic foreign places are nice. I’m sure

they paled into insignificance compared to a club tour Jim and Marge went on in their Model A to Lindsborg, Kansas.

Jim and Marge also enjoyed going to Branson, Missouri. She showed me some recent pictures of them on a riverboat.

For those of us who are left behind, we need to cry as we remember Jim, a remarkable person who did everything well.

The tears of sorrow will eventually go away. My hope and prayer is that the memory of Jim will continue to inspire the

lives of the people he touched.

Chris Launer