"Sing A Song To Light My Fire, Remember Jim That Way...Jimmie touched us with that song"

50 years ago, the Righteous Brothers released the  song "Rock and Roll Heaven" (https://genius.com/The-righteous-brothers-rock-and-roll-heaven-lyrics; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_Roll_Heaven).  The verse "Sing a song to light my fire, remember Jim that way; They've all found another place, another place to stay" is a reference to Jim Morrison of the Doors.  Might we believe that this verse could also include Jim Wright in that "other place," the heaven of rock and roll? 

Originally, "Rock and Roll Heaven" was recorded by the band Climax (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climax_(band)), whose lead singer was Sonny Geraci (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Geraci).  It seems strange that this band "descended from the 1960's hit band The Outsiders (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(American_band)).  I believe that was the original name of the band for which Jim was the drummer.  However,  "Time Won't Let Me" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Won%27t_Let_Me) by The Outsiders from Cleveland, Ohio, rose to number five on the US charts in April, 1966, prompting a name change for Jim Wright's band.  Was this the band that became Military Pickle?

Due to the generosity of a respected teammate, I had the privilege on Saturday, June 22, of attending the visitation for Jim, sister of Georgia of our class.  

Some of Jim's and Georgia's classmates, as well as a number of people from Brookings, were there to express their condolences to the family.  One of Jim's classmates with whom I had the pleasure to meet was someone I had not seen in many years.  He is a good friend of our family, and knows some of my older brothers rather well.  

Not only was it a sad day for Jim's family, but it was also sad because there had been some abnormally heavy rains recently, and the flooding in Sioux Falls and surrounding areas was massive.  When we drove by Lincoln High School, which is near the Big Sioux River, the football field was under about six feet of water.  Nearby was Yankton Trails Park, which has numerous soccer fields and hosts many competitions and tournaments throughout the summer.  Important cross-country races are also held there in the fall.  However, it looked as if a water ski competition or Olympic rowing events could have been held there.  The area was one big lake.  The Brookings Register's lead story for today, June 26, 2024, had this headline:  "Rain threatens to add to Midwest floods'' (https://brookingsregister.com/stories/rain-threatens-to-add-to-midwest-floods,87604). The losses to property, infrastructure, corn fields, bean fields, and other farmland, have been massive and devastating.  It is heartbreaking to witness such a cataclysmic event and its results.  We can hope and pray that recovery and help is on the way.