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Margie Sikes Anderson
Jimmy & I met in kindergarten (@ Arlington Methodist) and he was probably my first 'boyfriend' (in kindergarten). We learned how to skip together and enjoyed finding the rolly-pollies around the oak tree on the playground. We also both took piano from Mrs. Lippo...he was so talented. Although we were never close friends, I always held him in high regard and know had he not died in college - he was bound for accomplishing much in music or anything else he set his mind to do. He was an excellent musician and great guy. He will always have a special place in my heart.
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Bill Voss (1975)
I sat next to Jimmy in the Parker Band. He was first chair Bassonist, I was second. I used to ask Jimmy to play certain difficult passages for me so I could hear how it went, he'd knock it off like it was nothing, then I'd echo what he had just played. I was amazed at his ability to read music, he was amazed I could play it after I heard it. His was the real talent, his musical ability was fantastic, to say the least, but he also had the drive, determination and desire to practice for hours, study the music and apply his knowledge to perform beautifully when playing. The day I heard he had been in the accident and died, I was deeply saddened and felt there was an injustice. I'd like to think, he would have gone on to become a leading member in the progressive rock scene, or the Jazz scene, or even broken into the world of classical music. That's the injustice, we will never, can never know what he might have accomplished. The world is a darker place because of not knowing.Melody Simmons (1975)
Jimmy was a very talented musician and great person. I will always remember him as leader of the band, a brain in the classroom and how his smile lit up a room. His loss is still felt by all who knew and loved him.
Dana Sikes (Merritt) (1975)
Jimmy was an amazing guy. To know him was to love him...unless you sat next to him in the beginning typing class. He learned how to type so fast, so easily, so effortlessly that he made the girl who sat next to him, me, look that much worse! But he was never one to boast of his amazing gifts and talents.When I learned that Jimmy died, a long time ago, I knew that our class had just suffered a real tragedy.
I look forward seeing him again in Heaven.
Pamela Edelstein (1975)
I don’t think there’s anyone I spent more time with during my teen years than Jimmy Hare. Though I left Parker after my junior year to attend JU as an early admission student, I came back in June of ’75 to graduate with the rest of my class, and Jimmy and I walked down the aisle to receive our diplomas together.
His musical genius was such that it tended to overshadow his other gifts, but the truth was, Jimmy excelled at just about everything. English. Math. Typing, as someone else noted. We worked on the school newspaper together at Ft. Caroline Junior High and I remember he could type as fast and as accurately as he could play the piano. In high school, we were in almost all the same classes, and we got into the habit of doing our homework together every day over the phone. Between actual homework and gossiping and making each other laugh, we’d tie up the phone line for hours on end. (This predated call waiting.) My parents finally gave up and got me my own number; I don’t recall if Mr. and Mrs. Hare likewise capitulated.
I would like to share two musical memories I have of Jimmy: As everyone knew, he was a brilliant organist, pianist and bassoonist. One Friday, he asked if he could borrow my flute for the weekend, and I swear, when he brought it back to school Monday morning, he was already a better flutist than me, and I’d been at it for years. I would not be surprised if other band members had similar experiences. Also, Jimmy had the rare gift of perfect pitch. Among other things, this allowed him to create music with anything that made a sound. When I was 16, I had to get braces and I was not happy. But Jimmy found a way to cheer me up. We would sit in the cafeteria and he would compose little tunes for me to pluck out on those tiny rubber bands that were part-and-parcel of the orthodontic experience in the old days.
Among all of our classmates, Jimmy seemed most clearly destined to distinguish himself. He was a rarity---both supremely gifted and extremely sweet natured. To this day, in my mind, I can only picture Jimmy smiling.Annie Lou Kulogo (Horstmeyer) (1975)
Many great things have already been said about Jimmy. I just wanted to say I also remember the amazing talents that he was blessed with. He was a gift taken way too soon! Yes, I also always remember him smiling!!!