Jim, has over 45 years of furniture industry background, having started at age twenty, owning and operating 4 stores by age 30. After 28 years operating these stores, he then became a furniture representative selling to other stores in N.Dak., S.Dak., Montana, North Carolina and South Carolina for the next several years. Imagine five states, spread apart by hundreds of miles, an extremely interesting territory by anyone's standards. However he managed to call on every store in those locations every 6 - 8 weeks honoring his word to do so. In the process of operating furniture stores, representing factories to other dealers and raising a family, Jim made friends across the USA and many other countries.

     Jim has eight children, 4 girls and 4 boys, who live in various states across the US. There are 18 grand children and each one is unique and wonderful in their own way. The eldest married in June of 2004 and lives with her husband in yet another state! Getting this large family together is getting more difficult each year, but they all want to be together and so it happens, just not often enough.

     In 1993 he was diagnosed with a unique "challenge", as he prefers to call it, one doctors labeled as " M.S." [progressive multiple sclerosis]     Life changed forever from that point forward as has mobility and speech, so when you talk with him you will find he speaks slowly and chooses words that manage to come out easier. With an ever willing smile and twinkle in his eye, he has moved 1shop4u, Inc. into an ever expanding enterprise. An enterprise based on his philosophy of providing a "personalized", "caring", "customer oriented" on-line store where you can feel like the important person you are, not just another number or computer id.

     He also has created a web site to be in contact with other "challenged" people across the world and to promote a book he wrote. The web site is: http://14ushop.com/flyin-blind and there you will find much information that he has shared, and continues to share as he searches for ways to slow the decline in bodily functions, or possibly a cure. Jim has taken the "Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Treatment" (SCT), starting July 2003, and the most recent one being October, 2006.

     He has also finished (May 18th, 2006) a book titled "Challenging The Dragon" . This book is being printed now and will be available the end of May, through Amazon.com, Borders, BookSurge, Alibris and others, as well as on Jim's MS Web Site - "www.14ushop.com/flyin-blind"

     Making a difference, especially in Uganda, is a top priority for Jim. Sponsoring and paying tuition for several young people who truly desire an education so they in turn can help their families and communities has blessed Jim's life immensely.

      In February 2006 Jim took on the responsibility of raising funds to implement clean and safe water wells for a small college and 3 surrounding villages. Total costs turned out to be somewhat higher then initial quotes provided - some $8,500 for 2 wells. This project is now complete and the students (540 of them) now have 2-3 hours more each day for study. They had to each carry water in jerry cans over a distance of 2.5 miles one way, daily, for drinking, cooking and bathing.

      If you would be so kind and generous as to help this cause, a very much needed one as most people in Uganda earn less then $20 per month, it would be most welcome and a blessing to both the people in Uganda, and to you. You will find more information on this page - Uganda Water, and where to send your aid dollars. (to a special fund at NCNB bank)

Jim also started a non-profit organization called "Compassion Care Foundation" with a web site address of: www.Compassion-Care.org - with a board of 8 Directors from around the USA and Uganda. The intention is to expand the aid given to those less fortunate.