An example for our Industry passes

This is written with great sadness as I have just learned Jim Sundy has passed away. Jenny and the family were with him and however sad I know the room was filled with abundant love for an amazing husband, dad and basically a helluva man. As Eddie Walker said, "over his years he contributed greatly to the used truck industry and to many of us, his contribution to our personal lives was immeasurable and will last forever."

I first met Jim, and Jenny in the fall of 2000 in Santa Fe, NM at my very first Truck Blue Book Workshop. For me it was a bit terrifying as I was about to run a meeting comprised of attendees that had more years of experience than I had years of living; 32. Yet there was Jim, never a word wasted, never a joke not to be told and over that weekend he allowed me in as a colleague. This Workshop rookie left that meeting with a whole lot more confidence and with a friend I affectionate ly called "The Professor".

Over the years The Professor and I would chat from time to time and see each other at Blue Book, UTA and dealer meetings. I nearly drove off the road in North Carolina when he got me to laughing so hard, I road tripped from Sarasota to Tampa due to flight delays with Jim and Jenny after a UTA meeting and when he retired from the Blue Book Advisory Council I got to make him happy as we surprised Jim and Jenny by having their kids join us for the meeting. All in all never once was there not a smile, a hug, a new joke, a lot of love and Jenny's gold sweater (which she later gave to me).

In conclusion I join Eddie's toast, “To a man that lived life to its fullest, loved a lot and never quit giving back. Truly a MAN’S MAN!