My dear friend and colleague James Kim was found today. He passed away in the wilderness looking for help for his wife and two kids. Kati and the two daughters Sabine and Penelope were found Monday and are alive and well.
I worked with James at TechTV on many things. When TechTV moved to LA we both got jobs at CNET and started on the same day. I was very happy to see a friendly face like his on my first day on a new job. We sat right next to each other my first year there, and it helped to have him around to talk to.
He would always pop by desk and talk baseball. His team was the Mariners but he had a fondness for my team, the Cardinals. A couple months ago he gave me a Cardinals baseball player figurine he’d found while cleaning out some stuff. He said he thought of me when he saw it. It surprised me but made me grateful too. It was really thoughtful.
If I ever needed anything in the course of my job, James would break his back trying to help me out. He was a good man. Not in the trie sense, but int he real sense. He always meant well, and always wanted to make things better.
It’s why he gave the majority of the food to his kids when they were stuck in the car. That’s what led him to leave the car after a week. He wanted to make things better. They say every person has a time, but this doesn’t seem right. We all wanted so badly for this turn out well. And we’re very grateful Kati and the two girls made it, but it’s breaking our hearts that James didn’t.
Thanks James. I’ll miss you.
December 6th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
We will all miss James in our own way but I know you and the rest of the cnet crew will miss him so much more. I hope you and Molly and Veronica take all the time you need to regroup. I have learned more each time that someone I know passes that its best to remember the good happy times, and cry if you need to, but not to be upset and mad about what happened, just concentrate on the good. I never got to know James personally but I know he was a good man, and he was a friend of yours he must have been a good man. Take care and if you ever need someone to talk to you know the residents of Buzz Town are always there for you three.
Chris
December 6th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
As the father of two children under four as well, I only take solice in this story knowing that James’ wife and children survived. Any father would want the same, and give his life this way if it meant the survival of his family. My guess is that they made it a week because James had risked everything to venture out into the wilderness during their week of survival. His luck simply ran out on this final journey seeking help or food and water.
December 6th, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Tom – I just saw your video introduction on CNET TV. I have no idea how you made it through that speech, but I respect your doing that. My heartfelt prayers are with the Kim family and the CNET crew. I will miss James.
December 7th, 2006 at 12:34 am
Tom, I’ll be praying for the entire CNET team and of course the Kim family.
Your video tribute was touching and I am glad you did that. We will all miss your friend very much.
December 7th, 2006 at 12:40 am
Tom, your video on CNet was amazing to say the least. The way you where able to give such an emotional message was amazing. I cannot imagine how you were able to make a video remembering an old friend. I for one, know I couldn’t have done such a fine job and I know I couldn’t have held it together.
Thank you Tom, for such a beautiful message. I feel for the Kims, as I do the entire CNet community.
December 7th, 2006 at 4:24 am
I just watched the news earlier. It made me cry… also, i just dropped off some flowers at cnet and his apothecary store. RIP James
g.
December 8th, 2006 at 1:14 am
The speech you gave was very heartfelt and touching. As with everyone else I will be praying for the Kims and also everyone at Cnet.com. As a fan of everyone at Cnet I will truly miss James as he was one of a kind.
December 14th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Tom,
I don’t mean to be crude, so if this comes off sounding that way, I’m deeply sorry.
All through this, I kept asking questions like, “Would having an auto GPS system have prevented them from getting lost in the first place?” and “Surely one of the adults had to have had a cell phone, with his job, possibly even a satellite phone. Couldn’t they have called for help?”
Do you understand what I mean? How does a man whose job deals with gadgets and technology get lost in Oregon?
(I really, really hope I don’t come off sounding mean and heartless, but maybe I just put too much faith in technology these days.)