AMA News District X - 2010/04

IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS that I
report our District X Vice President Jim
Giffin passed away on Sunday January 31.
Jim loved his wife and family, and he served
our country with pride, but I want you all to
know, Jim was so proud to be your vice
president, and that the district was very
important to him.
I know many of you knew Jim, but for
those who didn’t, Jim belonged to clubs all
over the district at one time or another and
helped to build many, as well as hold officer
positions in many more. He was the
International Miniature Aircraft Association
(IMAA) president for three years and an
IMAA assistant director before that.
Jim became an AMA District X associate
vice president (AVP) for Rich Hanson on
December 6, 2000, and served with
distinction as an AVP until July 2008. At
that time Jim took over the reins as the
District X vice president when Rich stepped
down to take on the role of AMA’s
representative of Government and
Regulatory Affairs.
Jim’s eight years of service as an AVP
earned him AMA’s Distinguished Service
Award which was presented to him by Dave
Mathewson, AMA’s president, at the 2008
AMA Expo and Convention.
Rich wrote, “Jim was a very close and
dear personal friend. I admired and respected
him for his no-nonsense business intellect
and his straight-forward approach to solving
problems and relating to people. We shared
similar military backgrounds as Army
aviators and an enduring love of all aspects
of aviation. Jim truly had a heart of gold and
would give you the shirt off his back or the
prop off his plane if you needed it.”
Merriam Maida, AVP Rick Maida’s wife,
wrote, “I always felt special when I talked
with Jim. He was open, honest, always
approachable, and what a flirt. He made sure
I knew I was his friend, not just the wife of a
pilot. The world is a little sadder place
without him.”
Jim competed in the Masters class and he
always liked Scale airplanes the most,
especially the Cub. But his greatest love (as
far as the hobby is concerned) was sport
flying and hanging out with friends at the
flying field. I spent a lot of time with Jim
over the last seven or eight years, and we
talked almost daily for the most of it. He was
more than good to me and I am proud to call
him my friend.
Although Jim’s loss is most important to
me right now, I hope I can fill his shoes as
your next District X vice president. If there is
anything I can do for any of you or your
club, please contact me any time.
The new District X newsletter will
continue as planned.
A familiar site, Jim and his wife, Mourine.
Jim with a good friend, Denny Baker.
Jim talking with another AMA member, Dave
Armstrong, at an event in Klamath CA.
Jim holding an airplane at the West Coast
Festival in Atwater CA.
Jim and Mike Brown a couple years ago in
Klamath CA. This event was a favorite for Jim
and Mourine.
District X
Jim Giffin, District X Vice President; [email protected]
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Mike Brown
Vice President
Box 69,
Bella Vista CA 96008
Tel. (530) 549-3005
[email protected]
www.ama10.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA
(619) 427-6392
Denny Baker, Brentwood CA
(925) 513-1224
Darwin Barrie, Chandler AZ
(480) 946-8955
Mike Brown, Bella Vista CA
(530) 549-3005
Greg Clemensen, Las Vegas NV
(702) 870-6242
Wayne Hamada, Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7733
Kevin Houser, Oro Valley AZ
(520) 490-7657
Marc Karpowich, Logan UT (435)
232-1873
John Lockwood, Clovis CA
(559) 298-1606
Rick Maida, Morgan Hill CA
(408) 778-6885
Scott Malta, Merced CA
(209) 723-4202
Bill Malvey, Ladera Ranch CA
(949) 481-8624
Jerry Neuberger, Santee CA
(619) 258-4477
Jon Wilson, Ryde CA
(916) 776-2797
Contest Coordinators
Ellis Hall, Fair Oaks CA (North);
(916) 217-6302; [email protected]
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA;
(619) 427-6392;
[email protected]
Wayne Hamada, Honolulu HI;
(808) 521-7733;
[email protected]
Roxanne Cottrell (Utah and
Arizona only), Mesa AZ; (602) 321-
7955; [email protected]
District X Volunteers
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