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Contributor: Mark Quon

Photos (99)

Jim in Warming Hut

Jim in Warming Hut Contributed on March 12, 2010 | View Photo

Cross Country outing...

Cross Country outing... Contributed on March 12, 2010 | View Photo

Jim and Danny

Jim and Danny Contributed on March 12, 2010 | View Photo

Jim and The Quons hi...

Jim and The Quons hi... Contributed on March 12, 2010 | View Photo

Jim and The Quons at...

Jim and The Quons at... Contributed on March 12, 2010 | View Photo

Jim's Book

Jim's Book Contributed on November 11, 2009 | View Photo

Jim and mother dear

Jim and mother dear Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Floating the River

Floating the River Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Sad reminder

Sad reminder Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

SLO

SLO Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Tom, Jim and Donell

Tom, Jim and Donell Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Grimace

Grimace Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Rafting the Trinity

Rafting the Trinity Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Jim & Tom

Jim & Tom Contributed on March 22, 2009 | View Photo

Jim on Broken Top

Jim on Broken Top Contributed on February 17, 2009 | View Photo

Me and Jim on the Tu...

Me and Jim on the Tu... Contributed on February 17, 2009 | View Photo

Jim and Keven on a f...

Jim and Keven on a f... Contributed on February 17, 2009 | View Photo

Get the puck outta h...

Get the puck outta h... Contributed on December 17, 2008 | View Photo

Jim with Vic in Hawa...

Jim with Vic in Hawa... Contributed on December 15, 2008 | View Photo

Aloha Jim

Aloha Jim Contributed on December 15, 2008 | View Photo

Fishing Hat Transfer

Fishing Hat Transfer Contributed on December 15, 2008 | View Photo

Big shorts, little f...

Big shorts, little f... Contributed on December 15, 2008 | View Photo

Big Fish

Big Fish Contributed on December 15, 2008 | View Photo

Jim sneaks a kiss

Jim sneaks a kiss Contributed on November 29, 2008 | View Photo

Rafting

Rafting Contributed on November 29, 2008 | View Photo

Are We Not Men?

Are We Not Men? Contributed on November 29, 2008 | View Photo

Pumped Up

Pumped Up Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Brokeback Mountain??

Brokeback Mountain?? Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim at Cemetery

Jim at Cemetery Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim and his Pontoon

Jim and his Pontoon Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Ready to Roll

Ready to Roll Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

John & Jim

John & Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim in Ennis

Jim in Ennis Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

The "kids"

The "kids" Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Kev, Donell, Jim & D...

Kev, Donell, Jim & D... Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Witty Family

Witty Family Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Early Witty Portrait

Early Witty Portrait Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Santa Baby

Santa Baby Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Fisher Jim

Fisher Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Hawaiian Kiss

Hawaiian Kiss Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Off To Kona

Off To Kona Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Extended family

Extended family Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Me & Jim

Me & Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Mark

Jim & Mark Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

New Grandaughter!

New Grandaughter! Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Aloha

Aloha Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Witty Music Night

Witty Music Night Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Camping

Camping Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

John, Edna and Jim

John, Edna and Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Salvation Jim

Salvation Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim with Kelly & Wal...

Jim with Kelly & Wal... Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Vic, Keven and Jim

Vic, Keven and Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Tommy

Jim & Tommy Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Witty's with my pare...

Witty's with my pare... Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Mark & Jim

Mark & Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lor

Jim & Lor Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lor

Jim & Lor Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Keven

Jim & Keven Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Hawaian Daze

Hawaian Daze Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Kev

Jim & Kev Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Joan

Jim & Joan Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim

Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Mark play guit...

Jim & Mark play guit... Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Hippie Jim

Hippie Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Donell

Jim & Donell Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Danny

Jim & Danny Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & John

Jim & John Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim at SLO

Jim at SLO Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Wedding Reception

Wedding Reception Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Music Room

Music Room Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Hippie Jimmy

Hippie Jimmy Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Eureka!

Eureka! Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lor

Jim & Lor Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim with Catch

Jim with Catch Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lori Wedding

Jim & Lori Wedding Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lor

Jim & Lor Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Kelly

Jim & Kelly Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Bertha Sue

Bertha Sue Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Kev Jammin'

Jim & Kev Jammin' Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Hawaii Days

Hawaii Days Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Hawaii Days

Hawaii Days Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Camping

Camping Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

J&D Cal Arts

J&D Cal Arts Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim

Jim Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Witty's & Quons

Witty's & Quons Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Eve Dinner Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Christmas Tree Slaye...

Christmas Tree Slaye... Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Ken's Club gig

Ken's Club gig Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Bike Rodeo

Bike Rodeo Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Finally!

Finally! Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim in Idaho

Jim in Idaho Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim Sinking

Jim Sinking Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim Makes a Call

Jim Makes a Call Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim and GPS

Jim and GPS Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Witty Clan

Witty Clan Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lor

Jim & Lor Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Best Man

Best Man Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Jim & Lor wedding da...

Jim & Lor wedding da... Contributed on November 23, 2008 | View Photo

Photo Comments (22)

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I was honestly afraid you were going to keel over right there. Miss you.

Contributed on November 15, 2010 | View Comment

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Two years pass and I still can't believe you're gone...

Contributed on November 15, 2010 | View Comment

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Classic Witty pose.

Contributed on November 15, 2010 | View Comment

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The Quons love and miss you Jim.

Contributed on November 15, 2010 | View Comment

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Jim, if only you could see your Danny now. he's taller than me!

Contributed on November 15, 2010 | View Comment

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Look how young my kids are! Jim wrote an article about this Outing.

Contributed on November 15, 2010 | View Comment

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Memory: Jim had bought this new pontoon boat and assembled it incorrectly. He was about fifty yards offshore when the whole thing collapsed into itself and he went right in the drink! John and I had a good laugh at Jim's expense.

Contributed on June 18, 2010 | View Comment

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I can hear his booming laugh. You're so right about the tongue thing!

Contributed on February 8, 2009 | View Comment

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Great photo Donell. He loved those boys!

Contributed on January 11, 2009 | View Comment

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Happy times. "Manlove" for sure! God Dammit Witty, I miss you!

Contributed on December 10, 2008 | View Comment

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... Keven by his side, and you forgot the beer at his feet!

Contributed on December 10, 2008 | View Comment

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The late Bernie Mac died in August at age 50 from heart failure. His granddaughter's name is Jasmine.

Contributed on December 10, 2008 | View Comment

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I opened up an old unknown logo file called "JG logo.eps"
It was a logo for a very old client: Jasmine's Garden

Contributed on December 3, 2008 | View Comment

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... wine with a hint of Jasmine...

Contributed on December 3, 2008 | View Comment

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We picked up your old photos on Jasmine St.

Contributed on November 29, 2008 | View Comment

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Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind

Contributed on November 29, 2008 | View Comment

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I was dreaming of a steel guitar engagement
When you drink my health in scented jasmine tea

Contributed on November 29, 2008 | View Comment

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This was a truly surreal outing we took to Haystack Reservoir. The snow was deep and the reservoir was frozen over with light snow swirling on the surface. It looked like you were looking down on planet Earth from space.

Contributed on November 25, 2008 | View Comment

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Jim felt so bad for Danny here. We drove for miles up a winding mountain road near Chalis, ID looking for this lake for Danny to fish. We never found it and had to turn back because of time. We found out later that the lake was only another half mile down the road. Jim loved his sons so much.

Contributed on November 25, 2008 | View Comment

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We were such Bevis & Buttheads here. We kept laughing about the sign into town... "Entering Ennis." I believe Ennis was the name of one of the Brokeback Mountain characters.

Contributed on November 25, 2008 | View Comment

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Jim slayed a lot of trout that day... it didn't start off well. He assembled his new pontoon boat wrong, got about 100 yards off shore and the thing "exploded," dumping him in the water with pontoon boat parts flosting all around him. John and I had a good laugh at his expense.

Contributed on November 25, 2008 | View Comment

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He was SO excited... getting married to Lori and singing to her in front of everyone.

Contributed on November 25, 2008 | View Comment

Guestbook Entries (6)

Friend

Think of you every day I step outside, step into a brew pub or pick up a guitar. Two years gone on this infamous day, November 17. Hope to see you on the other side my friend!

Contributed on November 17, 2010 | View Entry

Friend

I found some photos of Jim while I was sorting my pictures, so here they are in honor of his birthday.

Contributed on March 12, 2010 | View Entry

Friend

Hey Jim, rest easy. The Badlands Wilderness bill passed and Obama has signed it into law. The country of your affection has been preserved and I'll always feel your presence when I walk the Badlands.

Contributed on April 3, 2009 | View Entry

Friend

This poem was written for Jim by my friend Randy. Thank you Randy for your kind words:

Oh, what a human being.
Infectious laugh,
Scruffy beard.
See over the next hill, gotta see.
The hill, the urge described, For all…
Creation and grace.
That eye glint, that smile,
Turn of phrase
Heart embedded words…
Poetry and funny magic.
A husband, a dad,
A son, a friend.
Unique, unforgettable and precious.
Oh, what a human being.

Contributed on December 15, 2008 | View Entry

Friend

I dreamed of Jim last night.

We were at an outdoor concert, walking around the crowd.

He asked me "what happened?" and I said, "you don't know?"

"My mom said something about my stomach."

"Jim, you had a heart attack," I cried.

"Oh," he said, and then he was gone.

Contributed on December 4, 2008 | View Entry

Friend

You knew Jim Witty.
Even if you never met the man, you knew him. If you have hiked the Badlands or river trails, you knew him. If you have fly fished the lower Deschutes or explored the Steens mountains, you knew him. Jim was the outdoors writer for The Bulletin. He wrote about the great outdoors, the well known, and not so well known locations around Central Oregon. So whenever I took a hike or cast a line I always thought of Jim. His writings will be sorely missed.
   
    Jim died Monday morning at the young age of 50. He was not my friend.
    He was my best friend.
    And you knew him.    
    He was the guy who struck up a conversation with you at the bar.
    He was the guy who turned the negative conversation to positive.
    And he was the guy who got way too excited about sage and juniper.

    Jim was not an expert outdoorsman by any means. I would always kid him about getting us lost half of the time. He rarely used a map. I got the feeling he wanted to get lost.
    But when he wrote about his outings, you could sense his passion for the outdoors. He had a writing style that made you crave Central Oregon. He loved that seemingly barren desert to the east. He had an affinity for the Badlands. I would accompany him on many outings and he would be moved by the most basic scrub on the ground. Something you or I would simply walk over. After reading a write up from one of our particularly “ordinary” outings, I had to wonder, “was I even there?”
   
    Jim’s other passion was the written word. Combining nature with writing was a dream job. He was born to be a journalist. When Jim was 11 years old, he and another childhood friend named Tom started their own neighborhood “newspaper” called The Kanola Progress. They produced the paper in Jim’s garage.
    Conflict arose when another venture of theirs became more profitable than the paper. Inspired by a carnival game they saw at the fair, they set up a similar game. When it proved to be more of a moneymaker, Tom wanted to focus on the game. Jim’s passion was the paper.
    Jim became sole owner of The Kanola Progress.
   
    We met as freshman in high school with a common love of music. The words and albums of David Bowie brought us together. We memorized the lyrics to every song. Anticipated every new album. Emulated the rooster hair cut.  Although he moved around quite a bit, we always kept in touch. I had come up over the years to visit Jim in Bend. When Jim married Lori, my wife Linda and I came up from Southern California for the wedding. Three months later, we were in escrow on a house in Bend.
    I can’t say we moved here to be near him. That was a perk. But we never would have moved to Bend WITHOUT him. It was the best move of our lives.
   
    I saw Jim just last Friday. We met some friends at Silver Moon for beer and then headed over to my house to play guitars. He stopped to pick up a pizza and called to let me know it was taking a while. He said he’d be there shortly and then signed off with “OK, love y....” He caught himself and stopped short.
    I hung up the phone. Did Jim just tell me he loved me?
    We laughed about it later. He was so used to ending his phone conversations with his wife Lori by saying, “love you.” But he did love me and I loved him. Lori jokingly referred to our relationship as “manlove.” So be it. As friends, we were soul mates.
    We played guitars and sang songs until midnight. Since we had other guests, I liked to pause between songs for conversation. I could see Jim bouncing with his guitar. He wanted none of that.
    “How about that Neil Young song we do?”
    Playing music was the ONLY time Jim had no patience for conversation.
   
    On the morning Jim died, I helped clean his house in preparation for the arrival of Lori’s mother from Baltimore. Jim had converted his garage into a living space dedicated to music. Posters and albums cover the walls. Jackson Browne. James Taylor. Johnny Cash. Guitars sat on guitar stands. Couches and chairs set up for the listeners. We jammed in this room. We scrawled our set list on the wall. He was proud of this room. As I was vacuuming the carpet, the strangeness of the situation hit me. I kept thinking what Jim would say.
    He would be chuckling.
    “Mark! What the hell are you doing? I just DIED!
    I know Jim.
    I know.

Contributed on November 24, 2008 | View Entry

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Mark Quon

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Joined on November 23, 2008

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Photos 99
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Guestbook Entries 6

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