I regret not keeping up. Jim Kissell was my friend at South East, but I never saw him again after High School. I wondered what had become of him. He seemed to be somewhat of an outcast. I don't know who else was friends with Jim, but I mourn his passing. He was outgoing and funny and a good friend.
I just read John Armstrong's comments regarding Jim Kissell and they echo mine totally. I was friends with Jim our senior year and don't even recall exactly how we started hanging out - I think through the fringes of the theater/drama group. He had a really fun sense of humor and was just a super nice guy. I've thought of him often over the years and wish we'd stayed in touch after graduating.
Jim was a good friend in our senior year, but I lost him for some years after that. In 1973 I got a job acting in an outdoor drama on the coast of North Carolina and somehow found him in Virginia Beach. I flew into the nearby airport, spent the night with him and his roomates, and then he drove me down to the theatre the next day. He was working [as memory serves] with the state surveyor's office, and seemed quite happy. We reversed the process at the end of the theatre's season. My last memory of him was the two of us out for a night on the boardwalk, getting into trouble at some disreputable joint called The Bearded Clam.
Years later Bruce Thiel [class of '70] told me he had a conversation with Jim's sister Lestie, at an LSE reunion, and she informed him of Jim's passing. While I don't remember all the particulars, it was based on a lung ailment, which had been a long-standing medical issue for him. [He signed my yearbook "T.H.E. Baggie"].
Jim was a great friend, and yet one of many I lament I was unable to better stay in touch in the days before email and internet. On that thought, i look forward to seeing everyone at this year's 50th, come Hell or High Water or Hazmat! To Jim!
John Armstead
I regret not keeping up. Jim Kissell was my friend at South East, but I never saw him again after High School. I wondered what had become of him. He seemed to be somewhat of an outcast. I don't know who else was friends with Jim, but I mourn his passing. He was outgoing and funny and a good friend.
Chris Stover
I just read John Armstrong's comments regarding Jim Kissell and they echo mine totally. I was friends with Jim our senior year and don't even recall exactly how we started hanging out - I think through the fringes of the theater/drama group. He had a really fun sense of humor and was just a super nice guy. I've thought of him often over the years and wish we'd stayed in touch after graduating.
Steve Shelley
Jim was a good friend in our senior year, but I lost him for some years after that. In 1973 I got a job acting in an outdoor drama on the coast of North Carolina and somehow found him in Virginia Beach. I flew into the nearby airport, spent the night with him and his roomates, and then he drove me down to the theatre the next day. He was working [as memory serves] with the state surveyor's office, and seemed quite happy. We reversed the process at the end of the theatre's season. My last memory of him was the two of us out for a night on the boardwalk, getting into trouble at some disreputable joint called The Bearded Clam.
Years later Bruce Thiel [class of '70] told me he had a conversation with Jim's sister Lestie, at an LSE reunion, and she informed him of Jim's passing. While I don't remember all the particulars, it was based on a lung ailment, which had been a long-standing medical issue for him. [He signed my yearbook "T.H.E. Baggie"].
Jim was a great friend, and yet one of many I lament I was unable to better stay in touch in the days before email and internet. On that thought, i look forward to seeing everyone at this year's 50th, come Hell or High Water or Hazmat! To Jim!