In Memory of James K Mattis - Please leave your thoughts here.

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My sincerest condolences to all of Jame's family.

James added a real measure of wisdom, humor, and civility to this forum, and will be sorely missed.

Marc
 
I truely admired James and enjoyed his posts and very informative web page. I'm upset that I won't be able to order the new lum chinese folder from him.

My thoughts are with his friends and family.

Thank you James for everything.
 
To sad to say much.......James, not just a great knife person, and not just a great internet person, but a great person...

MC
 
Over the past year, Mr. Mattis has gained my deepest admiration. Even when I made my ignorance known with moronic questions and thoughtless remarks, he replied in good nature and constructive criticism if needed. He has been a model for what a forumite, and a person, should be. I am greatly saddened at his passing.
-Brian Jacobsen-
 
I've only known James from 2 trade shows, but he took me as a very kind and honest gentleman. I've never felt so sad for a man I hardly knew. That should tell you something of the man behind the name.

I miss you James.

frown.gif


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James, I thank you for treating me so well as a customer and even more for spending some good time together in June at the Blade Show. All who met you will surely miss you.

Kevin
 
Dear Toni, Family and friends of James,

I too, learned to respect and appreciate James on the internet. A crazy way to meet a guy that I've quite possibly walked by on the streets of Glendale in years gone by.

I particularly appreciated James' expressions of his faith on these forums. I regret not having more chances to hear about that faith. I want to thank e_utopia for posting a translation of Kaddish today. I recited it for James tonight, not in Hebrew alas. May your faith and the love of the author of mercy sustain you, now and always.

Jeff C.

[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 09-17-2000).]
 
It was apparent in all of his words and deeds here that James was a genuinely good person. We will miss his unique presence and contributions to these forums. I wish his family well in this time of sorrow.
 
This is terrible news. I didnt know Jim very well but I know he was a straight shooter, and a man of wit and wisdom..
I first met him at a So.Cal. Blades meeting a few years ago at the late great Bob Egnaths shop (He was doing a demo on making mosaic pins). Jim and Bob will be sorely missed in the knife world. I wish I had gotten to know both men better.

Sincerely
Trace Rinaldi
 
From the Renfro family to the Mattis family, our deepest sympathy. He will be missed by all.
 
I haven't been on Bladeforums for very long, but from what I have read of James's posts, he seemed like a genuinely decent human being. There are far too few of those in the world.
He will be missed.

Jon

[This message has been edited by willOthewisp (edited 09-17-2000).]
 
My sincerest condolences.

This forum and this planet seem so much emptier and lonelier without Mr. Mattis.

Love,

Jesse Peters
 
My condolences to the Mattis family.
James was a real gentleman, very kind and nice person.
Good bye James, you will be remembered.


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zvis.com
Alligator

[This message has been edited by Gator97 (edited 09-17-2000).]
 
I too am at a loss for words
my condolences for your loss Toni.
may god bless your family and ours in this time of grief
 
As a post script, I finally recalled a place where James had revealed a bit about his faith, his humor, and is view of how to meet your maker. I had started a post on "Which knife goes with you in your coffin", James' answers said a lot to me about the man:

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I ain't takin' nothin' with me!

quote:
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And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to Sheol with their weapons of war: and they have laid their Swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
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- Ezekiel 32:27:

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- JKM

Speaking of funerals . . .
A couple or three years ago, a few of us officers of our congregation conspired to give the rabbi (who is a "knife person") a left-handed Dalton California Special (a CA street-legal switchblade, for those who haven't seen one). The first occasion he had to use it was at a funeral where he was doing the honors.

At a modern Jewish funeral, the immediate family of the deceased wear a little black ribbon, which is torn at the end of the burial service, as a symbol, among other things, of the tearing of clothing that people used to do out of grief. In this tradition, by the way, everybody goes out wrapped in a plain shroud, and if the custom of the country requires a coffin, it's the plain wooden variety, and it's closed. Taking valuables with you is what they did in Egypt.

Anyway, at this funeral, the ribbons were a little difficult to tear, so the rabbi pulled out his little switchblade - Schnick! (that little knife has more spring than it needs) - and cut the ribbons. And some people, who needed to, laughed a little.


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- JKM

In at least one vision of heaven, you get to discuss the ultimate questions of life, the universe, and everything with the best minds of all ages and cultures. So I think I'll see if I can take Occam's Razor with me.
And in the knifemakers' section of heaven, you can grind and forge and drink beer and not get hurt!

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- JKM

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Part of my reply to what he said fits now:


It would be bad to be buried with symbols of your arrogant self reliance and worldly agression, but a "wee pen knife" inscribed with Chai couldn't hurt. Maybe I should get my SAK engraved. It doesn't have room for much, but it could start out with "Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." I always thought that had a nice ring to it.

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Jeff Clark,
just a goy who really likes Moses and James Mattis.




[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 09-17-2000).]
 
I am so sorry to hear this news...words cannot convey it, and I pray for Mr. Mattis' family.

I never met him, however it was obvious from his posts that he was one of those rare persons who display the finest qualities of humanity. When I first got on the Internet and discovered forums on knives, it was James' posts (in the Benchmade forum) that caught my eye, made me laugh, and in fact got me interested in participating in forums.

Once again, my sincere condolences.
Jim
 
Though i don't know Jim personally but I hope he is up there together with Mel Sorg talking and making knives....
 
I just found this out tonight, I am very shocked. I've chatted with James numerous times for years, ever since the parachat days. As well as sharing a love for knives, we both loved cats and talking about religion. James was one of the most knowledgable people about all sorts of stuff, but best of all he was a good person. Always good natured, I never knew him to be otherwise. He would take time out to give me advice on personal matters, even though we didn't really know each other.
The world is short of good people, and now there's one less. I'm sure James is happy in heaven now. My condolences to his family.
 
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