I received an email from Bikaman@aol.com today but it wasn’t what I expected. It read: Good Afternoon Folks. Unfortunately, this is not a joke or one of Jim’s pranks. I wish it were. My name is Fred Padilla. I am a good friend of Jim’s which explains why I have the password to his computer and the key to his house. This email is going out to everyone in Jim’s AOL address book. Some of you already know this. For the rest of you… It is a very sad day for us. It is my sad duty to inform you that Jim passed away. It was either Sunday night or Monday. I found him yesterday at around 2:30 after concerned friends contacted me and informed me that nobody had heard from him for an unusual period of time. I myself was trying to reach him for over 24 hours and was actually planning a visit that very afternoon.
He died peacefully in his sleep, apparently. The cause of death has not been officially reported yet but my guess is a heart attack. Certainly, we, his friends and family will miss him. In my opinion the world is a bit lesser now without him. We had some great times. He was always a good friend and brother. Always there to help in times of crisis. I feel lucky to have known him. If you have any questions, you can contact his daughter, Nicole at 321-506-8768.
As a skydiver for nearly 20 years, I’ve lost some friends to sport-related events as well as natural causes. It doesn’t seem to be easier one way or the other. One quote that I’ve unfortunately had the need for before is: “Do not despair at good-byes. Farewells are necessary if we are to meet again. And meeting again is certain, for those who are friends”. I think that conveys my feelings accurately… as well as many others.
God Speed, Bikaman… Till we meet again.
— Fred
Note: Fred created a memorial page for Jim at http://www.c-horsesoftware.com/pics/memorial-web.jpg
Andrea’s note: Jim lived around the corner from me these many years, he will surely be missed. Below are the comments some friends made to this post:
Reader Comments
my name is Krista and Jimbob (as we always called him) was my step father for many years and in some ways i always felt he was my father. he baptized me when i was 12 years old. he influenced me in ways no one else will ever be able to. he was my hero! he was for real, funny, and so kind…i love him and i will miss him greatly!!! i wish i could have seen him one last time..
I LOVE YOU JIMBOB!!!!!
I got to know Jim through Cat Channel’s online community for cat lovers. He posted his wonderful family of cats, known as the Sunshine Rancho cats, Missy, Ole Gray, Taz & Zippi. He entertained us all with his incredible blogs about the adventures of his four pawed family members. We knew him to be talented, kind, caring, and generous in spirit and we already miss him. It was only months ago, Jim shared with us his excitement at his family and friends going all out for his milestone birthday. I posted a note to his cat’s pages on Cat Channel as well as on CC news page as I know Jim was loved by the whole CC community. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones. Angel Jim is certainly in Heaven watching over all of you from above. Love, Sara of Stockton and her cats Fidel, Che & Tonantzin.
I posted the following blog on the CC news page as Jim was well known and loved in our online community:
Dear CC community! With tears we post our heartfelt sympathies on hearing this morning from Uncle Jim’s close friend that our dear CC buddy Jim, Dad of the awesome Sunshine Rancho cats Ole Gray, Missy, Zippi & Taz, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge on his way to Heaven. It was only months before Jim was surrounded with family and friends celebrating a milestone birthday. We who knew Jim from his splendid tales of adventure with his Rancho cats knew what a special, kind, talented and big hearted man Jim was to all who crossed his path. We cry at the loss of a dear furiend and member of our CC community. We take comfort knowing that he died peacefully in his sleep and is certainly in Heaven, surrounded by kitty angels. We pray that his daughter, other family and loved ones are comforted in their grief. We are certain that between all who knew Jim and his much loved cats closely, his Sunshine kitties will be loved and given a new home as they adjust to the loss of their beloved Dad. Angel Jim, our Mom looked out in the night sky after midnight marveling at the light of a full moon and a brilliant star sparkling like a diamond up above. Now she knows you were just saying goodnight. We are lighting our altar candle this evening for Angel Jim and offering prayers for him, his Sunshine gatos and his grieving family and friends. As we wipe our tears, we do not say goodbye but hasta luego amigo ~ when our paths cross again. Love, Fidel, Che, Tonantzin & Mom Sara
Received From JanC just now:
I’m Jim’s sister. I had absolutely no idea that he was ill so I’m in a state of shock right now. Oh how I wish I had called him to say hi over Thanksgiving…….but I didn’t.
I wanted to add a post to say how much I loved him & how much I’ll miss him.
RIP bro.
I think of Jim at Thanksgiving since several years ago I went thru a strict vegetarian phase. It began the day after Thanksgiving when I opened my refrigerator to see this giant turkey in there that I suddenly knew I could not eat. I called Jim and convinced him to take it from me. He was stoked, so we always laughed about that.
Another post I have just received for Jim:
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“Keep on picking those strings stone fingers, till we meet where ever. Captin Fudgie”
Oh Jim you will be sorely missed by all your friends. I am one of the older ones that lived in East Natick. We were about 12-13 and used to skaate on big Jennings Pond. Went to school through High School…Then met up again in Holliston. I remember when you had been in a terrible car accident and your jaw was wired shut and it was time for Thanksgiving at the Dillons and you put yours in a blender and drank it through a straw. You were always happy and full of jokes. You let Jon and I borrow your old 1954 antique Mercury to take on our honeymoon when we lived in Medway. That was only 31 years ago and seems like yesterday. I know you always had a great relationship with the Lord and know he will take care of you. Til we meet again.
All our love,
Jon & Shirley Dillon
To Jim’s family and friends,
I came to know Jim via Cat Channel through his blogs about the “sunshine” gang, Zippi, Old Grey, Missy and Taz. I always looked forward to reading about the gang’s adventures. Jim had a great talent for writing the most amusing, entertaining blogs about his beloved cats and they always made me smile, no matter my mood or what I was going through. I always looked forward to his messages and I will miss them so very much. I was so sorry to hear of his passing and I hope those who knew and loved him will find comfort in knowing he went peacefully in his sleep. I only hope I will get the chance to meet him in Heaven someday and let him know just how much I enjoyed hearing from him. I am thankful to have had the opportunity through Cat Channel to get to know him and his wonderful cats and I hope Zippi, Old Grey, Missy and Taz will find new loving home(s) where they will be as loved and cared for as they were with their daddy, Jim. God Bless. ~Kelly, mom to Sylvester, Jinx, Angel Buddy, Max & Dex~
I met Jim thru the internet and I thought he was so cool, so kind, and so loved his Rancho cats. What a loss for our earthly plane.
Sammie
For Dadcat Jim, from “Da Goob”. You made my nickname so very special, you made all of us laugh and enjoy life. You have left a hole in our hearts, Jim, and you will be missed more than words can describe. Luv, Da Goob
For Jim’s family and friends: he was a very special man, a very special human being, who brought such joy and life to CatChannel. I know you will care for his furbabies, for they will miss him most of all. Sandy, Felicity “Da Goob’s” Momma
Until we all meet again…..
It is indeed a sad, sad day for me. I could write volumes about Jim. Jim and I have been friends for about 25 years. I can remember Nicole as a little girl running around the house chasing her dad. Jim was a close friend and I spoke to him on Wednesday and wished him a Happy Thanksgiving. Jim and I had breakfast frequently and we had expected to see each other this weekend. I heart is heavy and I will miss my very dear friend. I will miss his lively conversation and gentle smile. Take care my friend until we meet again.
Norm Hayden
To Jim’s Family and Friends,
The Jim “DadCat” we all knew on CatChannel was wise, fun, a great storyteller, so much so that I actually picture him as the Native American storyteller, but surrounded by cats, not just children. We were blessed to know even this small part of Jim. Thank you for sharing him with us. He did a very special thing for me and my cats in the Irish Clan just a few days ago when we needed support – he reached out, unasked, a memory I will always cherish. I know this is not his favorite but I raise my glass of Bushmill’s to the memory of a very special man.
Our Lord must have needed a very special Angel to have taken Jim home at this time.
Aileen/The Irish Clan
My heart is heavy with the news of Jim’s passing. I, too, knew Jim through a community of online friends called the Cat Channel. I knew from the start, Jim was extraordinarily kind with a heart as big as all outdoors, because of his love and tender care of his cats. First there was Missy, his beautiful Norwegian Forrest kitty. Then Ole Grey came to visit and Jim sat with him in the garage. Soon O.G. had his own chair, then wormed his way into Jim’s house and his heart. Soon came Taz, and then Zippi. Jim entertained us all with his fabulous sense of humor, but I saw the serious side as well. He never sounded prouder than when the Biker Group did something for charity or reached out to help a friend in need. We all celebrated with Jim over the news of his recent milestone birthday. Godspeed his precious soul. I know the angels were there to surround him with love and comfort when he made his final journey. Mary from Atlanta, GA and her Ginger Spicegirl
I was shocked to read that Jim had passed away. I knew him from Cat Channel and considered him a good friend. His stories about his furbabies always brought a smile to my face. I will miss him more than words can say. My deepest sympathy to Jim’s family and friends and his precious kitties. I know that his family will take care of the kitties for Jim and find them good homes. I will pray for Jim and for all of us who will miss him. I know that I am a better person for having known Dadcat, Jim. Rest in peace my friend and I know that we will meet one day at The Rainbow Bridge where we will all be reunited with our beloved furry friends for eternity. Lisa and her kitties, Mittens, Minuette, Gypsy, Greycee and Angel Misty…
There isn’t much that I can add to what others have already written about our dear friend Jim, known to most of us on Cat Channel as DadCat of the Sunshine Gang. He was such a wonderful, upbeat, funny and loving man and we will miss him terribly. He is now a member of the Angel Kitty Gang, and I know that he will be as caring to the animals in Heaven as he was to those on earth. If there is any way that I can help, any charity that I (or we) can give to in Jim’s honor, please let me know. I pray that his beloved cats will be looked after because I know how important they were to him. Again, if help is needed, let one of us Cat Channel people know. We all loved Jim and any one or all of us would do for Jim what we all know he would have done for us. Goodbye, dear friend. I will miss you more than you will ever know! Godspeed, Kat and her Zoo–Jesse, Anna, Miss Millie, Mai Lin, Sasha, KC, Mystie May, and Angels Mi Ping and Tiki
Another post from JanC:
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This is one of my most favorite poems……you’re welcome to use it on that page for my bro if you so desire:
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the Earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful.
He only takes the best.
He knew you were suffering.
He knew you were in pain.
He knew you would never get
Well on Earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “peace be thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
I am also a member of CC. We will miss dadcat Jim and his wonderful tales “As The Rancho Turns”. We enjoyed each and every one. Ole Gray, Taz, Zippi and Missy have a wonderful home we hope that they always will. Jim loved his furbabies. This has been a real shocker for all of us. He was such a great friend to all of us. He was the one that brought many of us together as he introduced himself and the sunshine gang to new members. For over 2 years we have heard loving tales of the sunshine gang, those tales will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to all his friends and family who knew him personally we know you have lost someone very special!
God be with you all.
Carla and The Georgia Gang
Tabitha, Mr Kitty, Princess, Scooter, Mittens, Buttons (Angels June Prancer and Sally) and the rest of the gang Augusta Ga
I am another member of CC and knew and enjoyed Jim’s wonderful stories and the antics of his El Rancho Kits..
Jim was a wonderful friend to all and even though we
never met I felt like he was like a brother…we are
deeply saddened by his passing…we know how much you
will all miss this wonderful man…I hope that someone
will take those four beautiful cats and give them a
new home…Jim you were an angel on earth, now you can
be your loved one’s guardian angel here on earth…God Bless you all…Carol the mom of Bandito and SuzyQ we live in the panhandle of FL
i knew jim and the sunshine gang on CC …
i can’t tell you how upset and shocked i was on the loss of dadcat Jim…i will miss his stories about all of his cats…i had tears in my eyes as i read of his loss…i hope the cats all find a new forever home together..we know how much they were loved..my thoughts and prayers are with your family…sally katz..meeko & bootz’s mom
I knew Jim and The Sunshine Gang on CC. It always brought a smile if not a laugh to hear from him. Though I have never met him, I know he was a good, kind, fun loving person. I will miss hearing the stories. It would be nice to keep the cats on CC, not delete their pages, so we can all go visit them some times. I know he saw to it that they would be cared for when he was gone. God Bless and God Speed to a very wonderful man. Carol, Sugar, Easy, The Blues Brothers,Angel Casha, Starman and ALL of The V.I. Kitties
My heart is very heavy with the news of Jim’s passing. I, too, knew Jim through a online friendship group called Cat Channel. He was there for me during my family’s tragedies. He was one of my first friends here on this channel, he was always there for me and for all of his friends. His stories made me smile and I loved all of his “Furr Babies“. Not long ago I remember Jim saying he was getting ready his bike ready for a charity ride. He loved people. He loved trying to make a difference in people’s lives – and he did. I always enjoyed him talking about his involvement in charities, causes and helping people. This is a very sad day and Jim, you’ll always be in my heart – Cat Channel will never be the same without you. I will keep all of you in my prayers. May the Lord surround your family and friends with comfort and love. May the Lord be with you all. Good bye my precious friend.
Laura, Mr. Jinks, Little Gilligan, Princess Mittens, and Symon.
I don’t know Jim as well as most of you; I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance when I was a Cat Channel blogger several years ago. I guess it was “fate” that brought the DIVA’S Missy and Daisy; two Norwegian Forest Cats; together at Cat Channel and it was through them I “met” Jim. It’s been maybe 2 years now since I left Cat Channel, yet Jim made such an impression on me, that I never forgot him. Nicole, your dad’s one cool dude; peace out and rock on Jim.
Laura & the tabbies of trout towne =^..^=
As a child growing up in the 60’s and 70’s…Jimmy Chandler was one of the “coolest” guys I ever knew…the fast..sharp…cool cars…the women…the language…he was my idol…but then he grew up and grew into one of the nicest of spiritual men who apparently loved cats as well…I am glad for that…to know that his soul was soft and mature in the Lord and he was “saved”. God bless you jimmy chandler wherever you are in the universe…how glad to know so many people loved you as do I….Vicki
“I will miss your sense of humor, I will miss your anecdotes about the Sunshine gang, I will miss our phone conversations where we discussed everything life threw at us, I will miss you Jim.” My heartfelt sympathies to you Nicole and everyone else in Jim’s family; your dad was a true friend to so many; we are blessed to have known him. Violet, Scottsdale, AZ Peanut & Skeeter too.
I met Jim through Cat Channel March 2008.This is the blog I left for his cat channel friends today…TRIBUTE TO SUNSHINE GANGS DADCAT JIM….CELEBRATING HIS LIFE..”Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that’s how I’ll remember you. If you can only remember me with tears, Then don’t remember me at all.”…Many have registered on horizonsmagazine.com & left personal memories of Jim & SUNSHINE Gang on memorial page created by another of his dear friends, Andrea, entitled “TO THOSE WHO KNEW JIM CHANDLER (Bikaman)”. I hope all who knew Jim & his “AS THE RANCHO TURNS” kittehs will do the same. While we here on CC have his kittehs’ pages as an everlasting connection, those who leave messages on his memorial page will leave a keepsake for his family and many friends..JIM…BROUGHT LAUGHTER & SMILES TO ALL OF CC FAMILY EVERYDAY READING HIS WITTY HUMOROUS BLOGS..AS THE RANCHO TURNS…HE DEFINITELY WAS ONE OF A KIND…YOU COULD SEE HIS INTENSE LOVE FOR HIS FURBABIES.. OLE GRAY..TAZ ..MISSY & ZIPPI…HE HAD A GIFT WITH WORDS & AN AMAZING ABILITY SHOWN THROUGH HIS CREATIVE BLOGS..HIS HUMOR BROUGHT SMILES & LAUGHTER TO THE CC COMMUNITY & THAT IS WHAT WE WILL MISS MOST ABOUT JIM.HE BROUGHT US UP WHEN WE WERE DOWN…HE WAS A SWEET MAN WHO LOVED LIFE!..He was proud of his biker group & the work they did for charity…I AM GOING TO FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WE WILL NEVER RECEIVE ANOTHER BLOG FROM JIM & HIS KITTIES..EVEN THOUGH SOME NEW KITTIES HERE HAD NEVER MET JIM PURRSONNALLY.. THEY COULD ALL FEEL THE SADNESS & BLACK CLOUD HANGING OVER CC AS HIS OLD FURIENDS DID TOO..PLEASE KEEP JIMS DAUGHTER & FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS & PRAY THAT HIS KITTIES MAY STAY TOGETHER & BE CARED FOR AS JIM WOULD HAVE DONE…WILL YOU ALL RAISE YOUR FROSTY BEVERAGE TO SALUTE OUR FURIEND JIM.?..UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN..REST IN PEACE…1939-2009…NEVER FORGOTTEN & ALWAYS REMEMBERED..MAY THE WIND ALWAYS BE AT YOUR BACK JIM!..WE LOVE YOU!..Some people come into our lives & leave footprints on our hearts & we are never ever the same..That is what Jim has done to the cat channel community..To You Jim!…Fondly remembered and sadly mised…Nappy and Mom Brenda from Canada
From FellsmereDEBBIE:
We want to express our sincere sympathies on the loss of Jim. Todd and I rode our Harley’s with Jim for several years back in the 90’s. I hadn’t been in touch with him for a while but still had him in my address book. We used to have a lot of fun with Jim. He’s riding his big Harley in Heaven with all his kitty angels surrounding him.
God Bless,
Debbie Cross and Todd Burdette.
“Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.”
As I come to terms with the loss of my dear friend, 14 years worth of great memories come to my rescue and the tears slowly turn into a smile. Over the years Jim and I discussed everything from the behavior of sub-atomic particles to the sometimes unusual behavior of women. We invariably agreed that it was easier to understand the behavior of sub-atomic particles LOL. We’d have a good laugh and a drink. Some afternoons (not as many as I would have liked) I would stop working early and ride my motorcycle to his house. There he would be… right where he wanted to be. Sitting in the garage with a frosty mug (also refered to as a “Jim Bucket”) of his favorite beverage. A cigar in the other hand and one of the Sunshine kitties on his lap. Usually Ol’ Gray as the others are inside-cats. Somtimes he was alone with the kitties, other times there were other friends there. He looked happy. He was happy. Next to him, his awesome Harley and his pickup truck. Among many other things, I’m going to miss those afternoons a lot.
A couple of years back, I owned a Ninja ZX6R “crotch-rocket” which I had modified to be even faster than they already are at birth. He could often hear me coming from about 1/2 a mile away putting that machine through the gears rather “aggressively”. He told me on a couple of occasions. “Freddy, if you kill yourself on that thing you’re going to leave a big hole in my life”. I’ll never forget those words or the calm, sincere tone in his voice when he said them. Ironic… I now know first hand exactly what he meant.
Here’s a picture to help you visualize him in that mode. Sitting with his Jim Bucket in the garage hanging out with friends and his cats. Just cut and paste this into your browser. Thanks Jan for the poem.
http://www.c-horsesoftware.com/pics/memorial-web.jpg
We often joked about how much that “dash” matters. That little dash between the birth year and death year. “It’s all about what you do with that dash” we used to joke. Thanks for sharing some of your dash with me brother. I miss you already.
– Fred
Through Cat Channel, I got to know Jim through his blogs through his beloved Ole Gray and Sunshine Gang. Ole Gray is a Russian Blue and so is my Peppermint. So it was cool to hear about his little Russian Blue. I am thrilled that the kitties get to stay together and have a loving home. He would be thrilled to know his kitties will be so well taken care of. I will miss his blogs. He lived a full life and touched the lives of so many people and kitties. As someone else from the CC said, he brought smiles and laughter to the CC with his blogs of tales of his beloved Sunshine Gang and Ole Gray. He will always remain in the hearts of those who knew him. I hope his kittie’s pages remain up on CC, and I heard that his daughter, who’s taking the kitty family into her home, may even add her cat to the CC. We look forward to that. We will miss him. Jane and cats: Peppermint, Snuffy, Sprinkles, Tippi, Tippi’s kittens and all of our angel kitties
I can’t add much more to what has already been said. Jim and the Sunshine Gang truly brought sunshine to every family on Cat Channel. It was a shock to learn he had passed away unexpectedly. Reading all the tributes to Jim brings tears to my eyes. Learning that he actually grew up/lived nearby in MA when he was young brings everything full circle for me. He will be so missed. Our respect and condolences to Jim’s sister, daughter and his family. Loretta and cats Shadow & Terry
I did not know Jim personally, but knew of him through Cat Channel. From his blogs, I could see that not only was he a very funny guy (I loved his stories of the Sunshine Gang’s antics), but a caring one as well – from his love of his kitties to his delivering toys to needy kids. He will be missed at CC, and I wish to send my deepest sympathy to his family and friends. My prayers and thoughts are with them at this sad time. I have heard that his four beautiful furbabies will have a good home, and I hope that they will remain on CC. With a sad heart, Mary and Kitty Spanky-Jack
I also, like many here, knew Jim only thru Cat Channel. I just told him on 11/27/09 how much I loved his humor and how he would always make me laugh, even when I was having a bad day. Mission Accomplished Jim, you’ve made a lot of people happy and laugh. I am better just from having known you. I will definitely miss Jim’s posts. I always wondered if the Rancho kitties were as bad as he said or he was just making us all laugh. Thoughts and prayers to his many friends and family during these most difficult days.
Karen, Timmy, Tucker and Bella