Steve and I have suffered one terrible loss today.. we found out about it via email a few minutes back.. "champ" - our dearest friend and Mac betatester Jim Moore - is no longer among us! :( He passed away of lung cancer after a brave fight during the last year.. and was buried last Friday on the top of a ridge to the valley he's lived the last 30 years.. what he always wanted! It's hard to compose.. put my thoughts in words.. all I know is that I just look at ICQ on his name and just can't believe he'll never come online again.. The "champ" was not just any friend... he's accompanied us for the last 4 years almost every night in our chats, through thick and thin.. He's been there a true supportive friend for both of us, he's cheered us up so many times in our downs with his unbelievable humour, his advice was always well meant and caring, and he ALWAYS had the least expected comment to make you fall off your chair in laughter and forget all..that's how he got his "champ" nickname last year.. he was so unique and one of a kind! :( Farewell Jim.. we'll miss you buddy more than you know.. but you'll always stay in our hearts.. after all, you ARE the champ! Rena - Steve

Good friends are hard to come by...it's awful to lose one like that. My deepest sympathies to you both.

Sad news. My deepest sympathies to you and Steve.

My condolences to you both. Can feel your pain. Lost a long time close personal friend - more than 25 years - almost a month ago. Godspeed. Larry F

(trying to find some words) I'm glad I met him when he was so full of life ... it was so much fun talking with him, Rena and Steve - those days are gone - forever - well at last as long as I'll stay in this life ... I hope he's now living in a better world - a world in peace, freedom and joy - not that I think he didn't has such a life but this world we're living in is cruel - sooner or later we all have to die ... The only thing we can do against it is living a beautifull and good life and being a friend to this and that person. I can say that Jim was a real friend - even when he was ill he was a real wonderfull person. For all of you who haven't meet him - I can say you missed something. Finally: I don't believe much in god ... but even if I don't believe in this holy man above I'll send prayers to him tonight ... Jim ... we'll miss you Goodbye

It is alway hard to lost a good friend, please accept my condolences, My prays will be for him, his family and friends. Sincerly Benigno "Virus" Fernandez

Oh damn Rena... sorry to hear that.

I'm sorry to hear of this. My deepest sympathies to all his close friends and family. Lung cancer is such a horrible condition, death in the end is often a blessing for the patient and family. I saw my mother go through this for 3 years. It was horrible. When she went, I was releived. She no longer suffered. Take care, Q

I'm very sorry Rena and Steve

My deepest sympathies - I didn't know mr. Moore, but if he was a friend of yours he must've been someone worth knowing.

This is so hard to comprehend... The world is a better place for him having been a part of it...

My sincerest sympathies Rena & Steve and deepest condolences to his family.

It sounds like you made his life a better experience for him when he was with us Rena. I'm sure he apprieciated your friendship. ScottA

I didnt know him either, but Im very sorry for your loss.

Steve and Rena, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, my thoughts and prayers go out tonight for both of you and to his family. God Bless you

It's always saddening to hear news like this even when you don't know those involved, because we're all to familiar with that profoundly empty sense of loss someone is feeling. I'm sorry for all those affected.

I don't think I knew him, but the passing of a friend and a community memember is always a loss. Best wishes to all.

A loss like that diminishes all of us ... just a little. My sincerest sympathies. dr geep

renapd, I've lost two friends this year. It is hard, But they were both in pain. The first was a girl I met over twenty years ago who died of cancer - her funeral was like a reunion of sorts - it would have been nice to see all those people under happier circumstances. The second was a friend of over 15 years who died of a heart attack. He was buried at sea by the Coast Guard of whom he served in the reserve until the age of 47. Although I didn't know your friend I feel your pain through my own. I am sorry for your loss. In my case I can only hope that they are in a better place. I wish the same for your friend Jim. My sympathy, - TJ (bikermouse)

My deepest sympathy goes out to you and Steve, Rena.

Having had an opportunity to talk to Jim a couple of times, I can only say I wish that I'd have had the time to get to know him better than a casual question or two. Even though I'd only talk to him those two times, I am both stunned and saddened by this news and can only imagine the pain that both you and Steve must be feeling Rena. We all talk to each other, sometimes allot, sometimes not enough and it is times like this that reminds us that even a brief sentence or two, a person can make an impact in someone's life. That we take so much in this Community for granted till something like this reminds us the value of the time we have with each other. You have my most sincere and heartfelt condolences for this terrible loss. Jack

Steve and Rena, Mike and I will keep you in our hearts and prayers while you go through this sorrowful moment in your lives. We are sincerely sorry. Sharen

Steve & Rena, There's not really anything anyone can say that will make the pain go away, just remember you were his friends & you enriched his life as much as he did yours. You've lost a good friend but keep him in your hearts & he'll always be close by watching over you. Rob

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." --John Donne (1571-1631)

Steve and Rena, I never knew Jim, but I know what it's like to lose someone you care about. My deepest sympathies for your loss. Melanie

A neighbor just told me of going through this with a group of friends over a decade ago - one died miserably and way too young of lung cancer. My neighbor was one of three other smokers in the group who pledged at his funeral to quit, as a tribute. He says they often wonder if they would be healthy and all still together if they hadn't quit.

Rena (creator of my first Poser animation fairy caharacter and my generous Poser newbie mentor), I echo the sentiments of those posted above. The older I get, the more that I am having to go through tragic losses like this too. All I can say from my experience is to celebrate the joyful memories of the dearly departed, and the pain of such a loss will ultimately be overwhelmed by them. My prayers are with you.

I "feel" your loss and grieve with you both as well as pray for an eventual understanding and comprehension to such a tragedy...two thoughts hard to deal with at times of such great sadness... ...as well I wish for you both a long memory of warmth and happiness when thinking of your dear departed friend, for he sounds as if someone that would wish to leave behind only wonderful feelings among all he mentally touched in his life...