Information about Jim Doughty

Rather than rewrite it all here is a copy of an email pertaining to recent events regarding our classmate Jim Doughty.

Judi:

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. After I wrote my email to you about Jim I found out a little bit more. I should back up and tell you the whole story, pull up a chair:

This morning I received an email from Troy Kaiser. It said simply, “What happened to Jim Doughty?” I took this to mean; What’s he doing these days?” “Where does he live now?” “How can I get hold of him?” Something along those lines, you know. So I wrote a response to Troy explaining what Jim had been up to the last time I had seen him. Before I hit “send” I actually called the old mobile number that I had for Jim just to see if it was still current. He obviously didn’t answer but it was his voice in the greeting. I left a message to the effect; “Hey buddy, haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?” stuff like that. Then I finished the email to Troy concluding with Jim’s mobile number and thought no more of it.

Well almost immediately I get another email from Troy saying essentially: No, dude the reason I asked is because the Reunion Web Page has him listed as deceased, I thought you knew. Well I about hit the floor. I told Troy that this was the first I had heard about it. I immediately started searching the internet for obituaries and emailing everyone I could think of that might know something. Nobody knew or had heard anything about it. I thought it must have happened recently since his phone was still connected. I then figured that maybe you knew something as it was on the web page so I emailed you.

Well before you got back to me my phone rang, literally no more than a two hours ago. When I looked at its screen and saw Jim’s name I must have stared at it for several seconds thinking I was about to speak to a coroner or relative whose unenviable task it was to inform me of Jim’s untimely demise. When I heard Jim’s voice I actually dropped a full pot of hot coffee on the kitchen floor.

To paraphrase Mark Twain: “Rumors of Jim’s death have been greatly exaggerated.” Jim is in fact alive and well (he called me from the gym parking lot) and more than slightly amused. He sends his regards and best wishes. He can be reached at jdoughty3@wi.rr.com. I’m copying him on this email just so he knows what I went through today. (Don’t scare me like that again buddy.) Neither of us would mind if you copied this email onto the web page, verbatim, just to set the record straight. Give me a little more heads up if everybody goes to Chumley’s again. I still visit my Mom in NB frequently and would love to stop in at the pub if anyone is going to be there. Take care Judi and we’ll see you this summer.

Christopher S. Ewald, PG

P.S. Here is a note from the man himself. Jim writes:

"I am alive and well! I'm working at the new power house in Oak Creek been there for 3 yrs as an ironworker. I've been a iron worker for 21 yrs. As for people hearing that I was battling depression that is not true never was. I live in Muskego you will find me at Lake View Trap Club every Wednesday. I haven't lost my sense of humor but I better hear from at least one of you dammit."