You know, you always think that there's going to be more time.
By that I mean: I just got to meet John Korkis for the first time last year. Jim Korkis was nice enough to invite me over to his Orlando, FL home one night last fall -- just so I could meet his Dad.
Why was I excited to meet John Korkis? Well, Jim knew that I loved a good story. And John Korkis ... Well, he had hundreds of wonderful tales. The night we met, this sweet old guy regaled me with talk about his adventures in India as well as the decades that John & his family spent in Glendale, CA. Back when Southern California was still something of a paradise.
And -- given that I'm something of a sucker whem it comes to stories about Southern California in the 1940s & 1950s -- Jim's Dad and I made plans. The very next time I was down in Orlando, he & I were going to get together with Jim. And John was going to fill me on what Glendale (AKA The hometown of Walt Disney Imagineering) was really like 'way back when.
But now ... There isn't going to be another "next time" for myself & John. For Jim's father passed away this past Monday morning.
Which makes me sad ... Not so much for myself. But for Jim Korkis ... One of the sweetest, big-hearted guys you could ever know.
Now you longtime JHM readers ... You know Jim Korkis because of all the wonderful columns that he used to write for this website. But me? I know Jim Korkis the person. The guy who put a very promising career as an entertainment writer on hold in the late 1980s / early 1990s. Packed up everything he owned and moved on down to Orlando. Just so Jim could take care of his elderly Mother & Father.
These days, there aren't really that many people out there who'd be willing to make that sort of sacrifice. Who'd basically put their entire lives on hold, just to insure that their Mom & Dad could face their golden years with a little grace and some dignity.
But Jim did it. With good humor. Without complaint. All those trips to the doctor or out to the hospital. Never wavering.
This is why I say that Jim Korkis is really one of the finest people that I've ever known. Why I'm genuinely sorry to hear about his loss. But -- at the same time -- there's a tiny little piece of me that's kind of relieved. Because now Jim finally gets to put that burden down. Now he gets his own life back. I hope.
Of course, given that John was Jim's best friend, I'm pretty sure that Korkis has a tough road ahead of him. But I thought that -- if enough of Jim's friends were to drop him a line, let him know that he's really not alone at this awful time -- that things might be a bit easier for him.
But -- of course -- that's your choice, folks. No pressure. I just wanted to let you know what happened and then (perhaps) fill you in on who John Korkis was. Here. Let me share the e-mail that Jim Korkis sent me yesterday:
Dad was not just my father but my best friend and it will be a challenge to try and continue living up to his legacy of integrity, kindness, intelligence, good humor and common sense. He passed away in his sleep early Monday morning and he is finally re-united with my mom who passed away last year. They had been married for over fifty years and are now together again. I know mom missed dad and it brings some comfort to know that neither of them are in physical pain any longer. At this difficult time, we may not be able to acknowledge all your kind words and prayers but please know they are greatly appreciated and do supply comfort.
Here's a bit more information about John's life:
JOHN KORKIS, age 82 of Orlando, loving father, grandfather and devoted husband passed away on Monday, September 20, 2004. He was born November 26, 1921 in Wilmington, Delaware. He met and married his wife in India where they were both working. They relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma where their three sons were born. They moved to Glendale, California where for nearly forty years they raised their family and worked for the city government. John was an active volunteer in many civic and charitable groups and received numerous recognitions for his decades of service as Emergency Services Coordinator for the City of Glendale. A decade ago, John and his wife, Barbara moved to Orlando, Florida to enjoy their retirement and to be near their sons. He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Jim Korkis, Michael and Tiffany Korkis, Chris and Donna Korkis all of Orlando. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Amber Korkis, Keith (and Julie) Korkis, Autumn Korkis and Story Korkis. In lieu of flowers, please send a charitable contribution in the name of "John Korkis" to your favorite charity. Memorial services will be announced at a later time.
JOHN KORKIS, age 82 of Orlando, loving father, grandfather and devoted husband passed away on Monday, September 20, 2004. He was born November 26, 1921 in Wilmington, Delaware. He met and married his wife in India where they were both working. They relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma where their three sons were born. They moved to Glendale, California where for nearly forty years they raised their family and worked for the city government. John was an active volunteer in many civic and charitable groups and received numerous recognitions for his decades of service as Emergency Services Coordinator for the City of Glendale. A decade ago, John and his wife, Barbara moved to Orlando, Florida to enjoy their retirement and to be near their sons. He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Jim Korkis, Michael and Tiffany Korkis, Chris and Donna Korkis all of Orlando. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Amber Korkis, Keith (and Julie) Korkis, Autumn Korkis and Story Korkis.
In lieu of flowers, please send a charitable contribution in the name of "John Korkis" to your favorite charity. Memorial services will be announced at a later time.
If you'd like to send along a few comforting words to Jim in his time of grief, you can do so by visiting the Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home website, where you can view and sign the John Korkis guest book. To do so, you just:
Thanks in advance for your words & thoughts, folks. I know that Jim will really appreciate them.
The entire staff of JHM mourns the passing of John Korkis & wishes to extend its condolences to Jim Korkis & his family in their time of sorrow.