Hi all,
I don't know quite what to do with the following.... I know I can get the help from BSJ/OSJ and CFAC-OR but in a way it feels bigger than that, so I want to cast the net a little wider. Words to an extent are failing me, so I will plow thur this the best I can. My father in law introduced me to Jim from Stow, MA yesterday. Jim has been a pillar of the community for many years, being the troop leader for the local Boys Scout pack for longer than his son has been alive. My nephew is currently in his pack, and has been for a few years now. His wife is in the Woman's Auxiliary that gives meals and comfort to the community and they are both former town reps and heavily involved in sports and supporting the community. Jim has an 98 Jeep TJ with typical issues with the frame which he already addressed by auto rust technicians and he's been to Elias due to some drive line vibes after the lift (likely needs a SYE.) His Jeep is more or less stock aside for a slight lift (2" springs and shocks) he did himself with his son. It has a handful of remaining issues to be road worthy.... Water pump, steering u-joint and such. Of course it being a TJ he needs a torch to remove most of the bolts and lacks torches or air tools to make these jobs easier.
What's breaking my heart is Jim has 9 months to live according to his doctors and he is doing the project with his son, as his legacy for his son to remember him by. He has tackled the things he could, but he is weaker now than he has been as he has stopped treatment as his cancer is too aggressive and the harm of treatment now outweighs the benefit. Jim has stopped working to be able to focus on family and end of life choices. He is really not asking for much help and I am taking this to a level that may not be needed but to me is required. Jim's not in a club per-se, but we discussed having him join Crawling For A Cure Offroad, since the discussion with him, I am making an executive decision to add him as a honorary member to grant him access to the club and trails while he is still able to do so.
Why am I making this post? I want to help Jim cross the finish line and make a very lasting impression on his son of what kind of inspiration his Dad is and was. As I mention, his Jeep is more or less stock with a slight lift and 31" or 32" tires. I plan to as soon as possible a get a wrench fest at my neighbors shop to bang out the small jobs. I would also like to pimp his ride with some extras. I won't ask anyone to go into pocket or start a go fund me for him. I plan to donate a pair of Body Armor4x4 rock slider/ steps to him to give rocker protection. If anyone has some cast off parts collecting dust, skid plates, after market bumper etc whatever I think it would go a long way in making his son a life long Jeeper and give Jim a legacy for his son to aspire to. If anyone wants to donate parts please let me know, if anyone wants to assist in the labor aspect at my neighbors place let me know.
Cancer sucks, its awful that this man will leave a wife and several young kids (a teen age girl, and his ~8year old son.) and a wife behind. It could hit any of us at any time, and he has been fighting it for years, its a battle he has won several times but he is about to loose the war as its now spread and is moving aggressively. Its nearly Christmas and we are Jeep/offroad people. Anyone that wants to help the gentlemen along is welcome to do so. We may look at a week day wrench fest as my best availability on a weekend is more or less January. My club has a run on 12/18 and its our last run of the year and the place has some stock friendly stuff. I think he would be over the moon to make that trail ride as a driver and runner. Anything we can do above and beyond that is gravy. I plan on some winter runs but I don't know how long he will be able to drive his Jeep. He may be fine come spring or.....
thank you for reading.
Jeff