RIP Graham James

[mikef]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of sad news.

Graham James passed away yesterday morning, 15th November 2023 in Frimley Park Hospital.  Graham had been soldiering on with increasing medical problems for a long time but now his pain is over.  Our thoughts are with his wife, Vera, and the rest of Graham’s family and friends at this difficult time.

I first flew with Graham at the Hanworth club over 40 years ago.  Our ways parted when I got more serious about Free Flight Gliders.  Around 17 years ago, I caught the DLG ‘bug’ and joined Thames Valley Silent Flyers, meeting up with Graham again.  We were also together on the BARCS Committee more recently.

Until July, Graham was still at the TVSF field running events for us, when he was no longer able to fly himself, and had planned to run more.  

Graham was a friend and mentor to many, had a great sense of humour and was always willing to cheerfully help others - he will be greatly missed.

We will think of him as we fly our gliders.

 

[PeteMitchell]

Sad news. RIP Graham.

[Jef Ott]

Flying forever in our thoughts

[Austin]

Another great man gone, RIP Graham..

[thermaldoctor]

This is gut wrenching RIP Graham. I was very fond of him he was a great bloke.

 

[Gary B]

Very sad news.

Graham bent over backwards to get me started in F3J and 100S around 2010, sourcing a winch and gliders. We were very often teamed up together on the field for competitions.

He 'volunteered' me for the BARCS committee, intending for me to take over as treasurer which I side-stepped to become Public Relations Officer and eventually Chairman.

He convinced me to change from using JR radio to Jeti with the comment 'whatever question you ask (can it do this or that?) the answer is always 'yes'.  He was right.

Seen here with Colin Boorman at Radioglide 2016.

[ThermalBoy]

Really really sad news. Graham was a great guy with a brilliant sense of humour. Always enjoyed his company whether it was on a flat field, a slope or a pub. RIP Graham.

[simon_t]

Sorry to hear this news.  Graham was a very prominent figure in the early days of F3J and went on to great things in BARCS.  He was always helpful on the field and great company.  

RIP Graham.

[Baldyslapnut]

Very sad news.

He always made me laugh at some point in any conversation.

Such a good man with very high standards.

RIP Graham

 

[thermaldoctor]

Any details of funeral please Mike? I would want to pay my respects if at all possible

[mikef]

I will post details as soon as I know any.

 

[Neil Stainton]

Very sad news. May he rest in peace (when his is not flying through the heavens).

Neil

 

[andyharrold]

I bought my first F5J, the Xplorer 2, from Graham . I spent an enjoyable afternoon with him and his wife, sitting in the garden on a baking hot day discussing all aspects of model flying. A really nice Gent .

RIP Graham 

[Joe Cubitt]

Such sad news. Condolences to friends and family.

RIP Graham

[mikef]

I now have the funeral details for Graham.

Monday December 18th, Woking Crematorium, 1500.

Full details are here: https://lodge.afuneralnotice.com/n/5c7a0017

The website gives a link to a 'live' broadcast of the service that will be available.

There doesn't seem to be a facility on the website to let them know if you are planning to attend in person.

Please send me a Private Message to let me know by Monday December 11th if you plan to attend, especially the reception.

[mikeonb4c]

I'm not a regular on the forum so only just saw this obit. Like MikeF (Mike Francis? Hi Mike!)  Graham and I became friends when we were introduced at Hanworth Air Park by a friend of mine who flew there. Graham got me in to flying (the occasional) Open Class comp with my own design gliders and although I moved North in 1998, we still kept in touch with phone calls. I'd not seen him though since I had a lovely stay with him and Vera about ten years ago and he and I went slope soaring on the South Downs.

Graham was a lovely guy (and they are a lovely family) and his dedication to model gliders was an inspiration to a stop/go modeller like me.  I have no idea why he became such a special friend but he did and I suspect there are many who found him a special friend just as I did, because he was that kind of person. Just writing this reminds me how much I will always miss him, but I wanted to say my little piece on here anyway. Rest in peace Graham and thank you for all the support, friendship and laughs you gave me over many years.  Forever missed but never forgotten. 

I have hardly any pics of Graham but I do have this rather poor quality one of him launching his Hi-Phase at Hanworth Air Park in the early 1980s - he always had the latest cool plane while I was designing and building something from a box of leftover bits ha ha.

Mike O'Neill