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Jim Caughlin · 12-08-2016, 01:02 PM

I talked to Marilyn for a while last night, she's hanging in there but it all happened quite quickly so a shock for everyone. Jim died from a bacterial infection, probably one of those things that will never have a good explanation.

Marilyn said that there won't be a funeral as such but that they are planning a get together after the holidays. I'll get some info out on Class Racer when a date is set as I'm sure a lot of us would like to attend. Also, I don't have their address right now but I'll post it here in the next day or so if anyone wants to send a card.

For those of you that didn't know Jim, beyond being about the nicest guy you could ever meet, he was the epitome of what class racing is supposed to be all about. In the age of purchased cars and engines, Jim built his own engines, transmissions and car, he knew every bolt on his car. Although he was a great driver with divisional and Nat'l open wins, he would sell his eye teeth to go a hundredth quicker, he pretty much ran his car on kill every run. It was pretty typical to walk into his pit spot and see the valve covers, oil pan and disassembled trans spread out on the ground, a few new valve springs later it would be all reassembled in time for the next round. And through all that, he would still be joking around with that classic Canadian sense of humor. In addition to his Hemi car, their daughter ran a 12 second Dart bracket car that Jim built, she was in the ROC race last year so no slouch at driving either. I don't think that Marilyn ever missed a race, their family is very close and a roll model for us all.

We all miss you Jim, racing won't be the same with you gone.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

12-08-2016, 01:02 PM	#5
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 685 Likes: 82 Liked 805 Times in 245 Posts	Re: Godspeed Jim Isherwood I talked to Marilyn for a while last night, she's hanging in there but it all happened quite quickly so a shock for everyone. Jim died from a bacterial infection, probably one of those things that will never have a good explanation. Marilyn said that there won't be a funeral as such but that they are planning a get together after the holidays. I'll get some info out on Class Racer when a date is set as I'm sure a lot of us would like to attend. Also, I don't have their address right now but I'll post it here in the next day or so if anyone wants to send a card. For those of you that didn't know Jim, beyond being about the nicest guy you could ever meet, he was the epitome of what class racing is supposed to be all about. In the age of purchased cars and engines, Jim built his own engines, transmissions and car, he knew every bolt on his car. Although he was a great driver with divisional and Nat'l open wins, he would sell his eye teeth to go a hundredth quicker, he pretty much ran his car on kill every run. It was pretty typical to walk into his pit spot and see the valve covers, oil pan and disassembled trans spread out on the ground, a few new valve springs later it would be all reassembled in time for the next round. And through all that, he would still be joking around with that classic Canadian sense of humor. In addition to his Hemi car, their daughter ran a 12 second Dart bracket car that Jim built, she was in the ROC race last year so no slouch at driving either. I don't think that Marilyn ever missed a race, their family is very close and a roll model for us all. We all miss you Jim, racing won't be the same with you gone. Jim Caughlin SS 6019