From AnnArbor.Com
James Eller, K8ELR, born May 25, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan, passed away suddenly at home on October 8, 2011. Jim was the epitome of a good man. He was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words by family and friends.
Jim grew up in Detroit with his brother David and later moved to Milford Michigan where he worked for Williams International for over a decade as a Quality Assurance Engineer and took additional college classes. During that time he met his wife, Patrice, when he taught dog training classes on the side and she brought her puppy for his help. They married in 1988 and brought up two cherished and beautiful sons, James Kenneth Eller and Benjamin Matthew Eller.
Jim left engineering and started his own business in computer support and continued that expertise by working for others including Ford and the Ann Arbor District Library. He retired from the paid workforce in 2006 when he had a stroke but never let that stop him from living life to the fullest, making him a role model for all of us.
He took advantage of the opportunity and volunteered to share his time and energy with multiple organizations that he cared about including the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, the Cancer Support Community, the Hands On Museum where he helped visitors learn about Ham Radio and the Huron Valley Humane Society where he comforted the cats.
Jim was curious about many things which led to a wide range of passionate interests over his lifetime including becoming a hot air balloon pilot, scuba diving, showing and training dogs, breeding Killifish, Ham Radio, fishing and making sure the neighborhood hummingbirds were well taken care of. He loved reading including anything about history and he enjoyed just about any kind of music.
In addition to his brother, David and sister-in-law Sheila Fox; wife, Patrice and sons, Jim and Benjamin; Jim is survived by his beloved nieces, Sydney, Stacey and Stephanie and dear nephew, Spenser. He was predeceased by his father, James and mother, Norma Eller.
If desired, donations in Jim’s memory should be to the AACIL, 3941 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Cancer Support Community, 2010 Hogback Road, Suite 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 or Huron Valley Humane Society, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
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Jim really was a great guy.. He was always willing to help out in any way he could with WA2HOM, and he was great with the kids. We owe a great deal of our success to Jim’s efforts.
I used to joke that he was our “digital specialist,” because he enjoyed operating the digital modes, including PSK31, Olivia, and anything else that our software would do. He got that part of the station all set up and running for us.
Another joke that we used to share was how he came to get his Extra Class license. He used to claim that he just memorized all the answers to the questions and didn’t really know all that much. He knew a lot more than he claimed, though, and was always learning new things, and in the process, becoming a better amateur radio operator.
We’ll all miss you, Jim.
Jim was a dear friend. He was of great support when my fiance and his good friend, another amateur radio operator, Mark, was in the hospital after a tragic accident and passing. Jim was instrumental in setting up and becoming one of three adminstrators for a scholarship fund set up in Mark’s memory. He volunteered not only in all the organizations listed above, but for the American Red Cross as an amateur radio operator. I first met Jim in a “GOTA” tent. Jim was our resident GOTA (Get On The Air) expert at our yearly Field Day contests only missing this last year due to a stroke he had that morning. Jim was a true friend and an incredible role model for the amateur radio community. I will miss Jim’s smile as I walk into the amateur radio station at the Hands on Museum and seeing Jim sitting at the radio, surfing the air waves for that next contact. My favorite story about Jim is when we were sitting in his garage not to long ago and he was chuckling about hiding new amateur radio equipment from Patrice behind his chair. He had to figure out a new hiding place because they were going to be doing some remodeling and he would be found out. lol I will be keeping his wife Patrice and sons Jim and Ben in my prayers. We love you and are here for you when you need us. I will miss Jim’s smile.
Jim was a really sweet and cheerful guy, and it was always a pleasure to talk with him. When others were getting wound up over things, and strife and rancor were flying around, Jim was calm and unflappable, and helped the rest of us keep our heads and stay cheerful when things got tough. I wish I’d interacted with him more as I completely enjoyed each time I worked with him on club activities or just spoke with him. Jim showed us how to live cheerfully and constructively even in the face of health problems, and I will miss him.
About one year ago, Jim and I assembled the beam antenna and got it ready for hoisting to the Museum roof and subsequent mounting on the tower (months later). It was a sunny crisp day and perfect for outside work. I made several trips carrying the aluminum antenna pieces up from the basement to our assembly area in the Museum parking lot. Jim stood guard over the pieces and smiled at all the passersby who wondered “what the heck is going on”. We made a great team!
Jim read the manual carefully and gave good and needed guidance while I spent most of the time on my knees bolting the pieces together and stupidly saying “ I don’t need no steenking manual”. We made a great team!
Jim read aloud the critical measurements and I adjusted the element lengths. I grumbled aloud and fretted if things didn’t look right. Jim checked that all was OK and gave a warm encouraging smile. We made a great team!
I miss Jim, but can still see his helpful smile and we are still a great team.
I can’t say enough nice things about Jim, but I’ll try my best.
We were both owners/moderators of the Icom 718 list for several years. A couple of years ago, we had an eyeball QSO at one of the local swap meets, and enjoyed a lengthy discussion on the state of amateur radio, a subject he card about very much. My happiest moment with Jim came about a year ago when both of us were working the Feld Hell Club monthly sprint, and at a distance of about 50 miles, we were able to copy each other quite well. Jim sent me the club’s QSL card, and the gentlemen that we was, sent me a follow-up e-mail about a week later to make sure that I received it alright.
Rest in peace my friend, I was proud to have known you.