Jim Laporta
I first met Jim and Suzette at Buckner Baptist Children's Home as they joined our Amateur Radio Classes as students. (They both earned their FCC Licenses) This was 1973 and I was President of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club. Later Jim and I started a US Coast Guard Auxiliary unit, and Jim became President of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club. In 1975 Jim was our Best Man for my marriage to Diane. Later I went to work at ARRL in the Communications Department and Jim visited us in Newington. We kept in touch over the years, and I was totally delighted when Jim became President of ARRL. In 2000 I returned to Dallas after a 25 year period away in New England. Jim and I renewed our friendship, and we were both active in QCWA while I was President of QCWA Chapter 41. Later we worked together with a local telecommunications dealer. Then, in 2004 Jim was once again my Best Man when I married Linda, my present wife. We moved away from Dallas, and Jim and I only talked now and then. Over the past five years I lost touch with Jim and Suzette and I missed that interaction. My prayers are with the family. 73, RIP de Jim LaPorta N1CC and Linda LaPorta NE5LL.