wow. Talk about a gut punch.

[The Straight Story]

One of the best times in my life was in Ridgecrest, CA. Knew the guys at the radio station (KRAJ) and used to hang out with them.

One of the really cool guys was James Rowles. Lived in a small trailer. Had been in a movie and did some modeling for a gas station ad and a car dealer (iirc) He gave me a copy of some of his shots from the ads, but he did not like to talk about the movie he was in - all we knew is that he was a biker in a beach blanket type movie in the 60's. He was the sound guy for the station.

I used to sit outside the station with him and talk about everything. He dreamed of a web site based around something he called 'terminal brain cloud'. Helped him out all I could, had some spare parts and such I gave him - including the computer I had when I got to CA (which was old but still better than the ones he had gotten at an auction at the Navy base he and I went to). It had sentimental value to me (long story) but I knew it was going to a good home. I still remember showing up at his trailer one night and he showed me how he had turned it into a small station that could go up to a mile.

Before his station went online I went to see him one night (shortly after he got the old systems from the base) and he had them all hooked up and had spent hours learning DOS. He was so proud of himself and thankful to me for helping him learn stuff.

We were both from Ohio and talked about moving back here. Lost touch some years back.

Looked for him off and on the last seven years. Got busy with life and wanted to hook up. Every year around the holidays (not sure why then) I would search the net for him.

Tonight on FB I found the old station manager by luck (another friend, my old boss, I have on FB had him as a friend). Messaged him hoping to find out where James was.

I got this reply a few minutes ago:

WOW good to hear from you! I have horrible news about James. He retired back home to Ohio and about 2 months later was robbed and murdered. Didn't know any other way to put it. Sorry. It killed all of us.

:(

He was a good friend, a little eccentric. He reminded me of that guy that ran the trailer park in Twin Peaks, Fire walk with me (looked a bit like him too). On many lonely nights out in the desert I went to his trailer and we would hang out talking computers and sound cards (turtle beach).

back then email and cell phones were not the norm, so we lost contact when I moved away. Today was sucking already, I will miss you old friend.

A song he and I both related to (another long story):

Alanis Morissette - Ironic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc

[peacebird]

1. I am so sorry for your loss. (hugs)

[The Wielding Truth]

2. Tragic, sorry.

[yellerpup]

3. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

He sounded like one of those great, irreplaceable buddies. Feeling it for you. It's so hard to lose a loved one (even if just friends) to violence. Peace.

[The Straight Story]

9. He was there at a time in my life when I most needed it. Away from home, kids

And only knew a few people. We all sort of knew each other because of the computer store and the station.

Bud Johnson - retired from NASA, he lived not too far from James. Was in his late 70's and nearly blind. Used to call me up to 'fix' his computer, but just wanted someone to come and hang out with him. I wouldn't charge him - but he would buy me some smokes and Mt. Dew and we would sit in his garage and smoke and he would tell me about his days at NASA. He made a scale model of the shuttle and the plane that carried that is on display in Florida. He died a few years back. No one from the store wanted to work on his systems because he could be a jerk - but that was because people just wanted to do the work and not get to know him. We became good friends.

Ralph and Judy - I called them my second parents. Ralph called the store one day and needed help, but the price was too high - so I talked to my boss and he said I could go out on my time and help them (I had a great boss). I became their friends. Many pics and stories with them. They too have passed now.

I was out in CA, 2200 miles from home and I met so many cool people. And now another one that meant a lot to me, that helped me through many nights, has gone. Awesome people I will always remember.

[yellerpup]

24. To all the awesome people who made your life brighter.

:toast: They will never be forgotten. :hug:

[Morning Dew]

4. So sorry, TSS.

That's just one more thing you didn't need.
:hug:

[JDPriestly]

5. Thanks for sharing this story. Ridgecrest is an unusual place.

Probably attracts unusual people.

[bluerum]

6. Sorry to hear.

[_eh]

7. Hang in there

Based on your description of him, I think your friend would want you to. :hug:

[lonestarnot]

8. Wow. I'm sorry Straight Story.

:hug:

[ZombieHorde]

10. Damn. I'm sorry. nt

[WillyT]

11. Damn...

:grouphug:

Peace...

:hi:

[Odin2005]

12. DAMN! That sucks!

:(

[MADem]

13. Life is short.

I recently learned that an acquaintance of ours--someone we liked very much, but not a close pal--died over the summer in a freak accident.

Every day is precious. These terrible events do have the effect of making us realize that.

[The Straight Story]

14. Just found this about his death:

-- Aug. 10, 2005 — The body of James Rowles, 66, of Youngstown, is found by firefighters battling a blaze at his Trussit Avenue home on the city’s North Side. An autopsy showed he died from a gunshot wound to the head. Three people were arrested and tried for their role in the crime.

http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/500467/Man-faces-murder-charges.html?nav=5021

Rest in peace my friend.

[Fire Walk With Me]

15. Twin Peaks, Fire walk with me

Wha? ;)

You mean Harry Dean Stanton, who is in each and every American film produced since 1907. It's obligatory.

[The Straight Story]

16. He used to answer the door in his robe with a cup of coffee

unshaven and looking like he had barely slept. My X girlfriend often joked that he looked like he belonged in Twin Peaks.

He was certainly different, and that is why I liked him so much.

[Blue Owl]

25. drinkin' a goddamn cup of good morning America

n/t

[spanone]

17. sorry.

[The Straight Story]

18. Thanks. I guess the odd thing is, we had not talked in so many years

And yet he represented to me so much joy. Life went by so fast and I got so damned busy. I kept looking for him, especially after mom died in 2004.

Turns out he died in 2005. Six years ago and I am still thinking about him - I do remember now briefly finding his website and emailing him and not hearing back from him not long after mom passed on.

Guess it all makes sense now, if that is possible. The first thing I asked the station manager tonight when I found him was about James.

I so wanted to talk to him again, and realizing now that I can't...it just sucks.

Sorry, just having a bad night.

[philly_bob]

19. Listened to the Morissette song thinking of you guys... (nt)

[The Straight Story]

21. Thank you. Tomorrow I find out the names of the three who killed him

I called the paper there tonight and their library was down but they will get me all the info tomorrow. They robbed him, shot him in the head, and burned down his house.

Tried to find more online, not much there that I could dig up.

I am pissed, sad, and feel like breaking something right about now. Talked to the station manager more about it - about James' son, etc.

Sorry, just had to vent, still really upset and can't sleep.

[mod mom]

20. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Hugs.

[The Straight Story]

23. UPDATE: Found info on the guy that killed him:

Youngstown Man Sentenced for Murder


A Youngstown man will spend at least twenty years in prison after admitting to murder and burglary charges.

Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Maureen Sweeney sentenced Jimmy Davenport to 15-years to life for the murder of 66-year-old James Rowles.

Davenport also has to serve time for burglary and weapons-related charges.

Rowles was found shot in the head inside his burning Trussitt Avenue home in 2005.

http://www.wfmj.com/story/7865669/youngstown-man-sentenced-for-murder?clienttype=printable&redirected=true

[BlancheSplanchnik]

26. that IS quite a sucker punch, SS.

So very sorry..... grief really sucks...my thoughts are with you.

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

27. The guy that did it got 15-life but can be out in 20

Have not been able to find info on the other two involved yet.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

28. if you find that the grief and everything gets to be too much,

you could probably find support. I would bet there are groups in your area....can be helpful to find compassionate people who understand how you feel.

Just a thought......

:hug:

[Leftist Agitator]

30. Here's a link to Jimmy Davenport's Ohio DOC record.

http://www.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Details.aspx?id=A543482

[The Straight Story]

31. Thanks for that link (nt)

[Magoo48]

29. Peace to you and all of his loved ones...

[Enthusiast]

32. Sorry about your friend.

I've lost several dear friends recently so I know the feeling. It ain't good.