The Death of Dr. James (Jim) Fletcher

I thought many of you who knew of Jim would like to know of his death. I'd been trying to reach him for several weeks via his cellphone and email, but didn't have any luck. I remembered to call his periodontist office in Clovis California and after some explaining who I was, and why I was calling, I found that he had been killed in Alaska. Jim was enjoying one of his two hobbies at the time, trout fishing, when he was involved in an aircraft accident while attempting a landing on Lake Ilianma in September of last year in marginal weather. That is the largest fresh water lake in Alaska. I remember he told me he owned a lodge on the lake and could be found there or in the California high country fishing when not at home.
I've attached some links to the threads he created on GT40.com about his 2 1/2 year build of an ERA GT40 MkI. Also, I've added a link from the Fresno Bee reporting the news of his accident and death.
I hope of those who knew of Jim and his work of building cars (his 2nd hobby) will remember him with a prayer. He was a very real and talented Renaissance man.
Regards-
Grady

Clovis periodontist, Hanford dairy owner among 3 killed in Alaska plane crash | Fresno Bee

Build Log:
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-buil...era-build.html

CARS for sale
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-cars-sale/45430-e-r-gt40-mk-1-sold.html
 
I met Jim about 10 years ago.

I was building my Kirkham, and he had finished his. He had bought one of the only Kirkham "kits", and had done a very nice job completing it. We talked shop for awhile, and he seemed to be a nice, down to earth guy.

Sorry to hear of his passing.
 
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