Though Their Keys Fall Silent They Are Not Forgotten

These members are gone but not forgotten! Their Signals transverse the Universe at 186,000 miles per second.

In the vastness of the universe our Creator is thier loving guide.

We thank God for creating them and for the impact that they made on all of our lives.

In memory of their service we award them our Eternal Flame.

May the light of their service to Amateur Radio and our community forever shine in their memory.

Tom Smith,N8DXR

We mourn the loss of club member Tom Smith,N8DXR.Tom -N8DXR ,became a SK in October of 2004,he is Greatly missed on the 3905 Century Club Nets,he was quite a fellow and really funny at times on many of the HF nets.He will be greatly missed by the ham community.I remember seeing Tom at many of the Michigan swaps.His key has fallen silent but he will not be forgotten.

Jerry Klabunde,K9JHK

We mourn the loss of club member Jerry Klabunde,K9JHK. Jerry joined the MDXA in 1999 and he was from Wisconsin. Some of our members used to work Jerry late at night on 2M simplex accross the big pond [Lake Michigan]. Jerry was a very interesting fellow,he often would say "We Don't Know What We Don't Know". Now..Jerry does know what [we] don't know! I remember Jerry telling us about his heart transplant,you see..he received a womens heart! He also lived many years with that heart. He was also the owner of a ISP service. He did keep in touch with us from time to time. We shall miss his wisdom and yes..courage! He knew many joys and sorrows in this life. For us..it was a joy to know him.

Lionel "Bud" Owen,KG8BK

We mourn the loss of club member Bud Owen,KG8BK. Bud was an avid DXer but more importantly,he was a Ham for all seasons! Bud lived in Jenison,MI and for many years he was active with the IRA,Independent Repeater Association.Bud was also very close to Honor Roll and a prince of a guy.He had a great sense of humor and he was also very supportive of many area clubs. Bud was also a man of God and a well known defender of the church.He is gone but not forgotten,he now belongs to the ages and no longer needs a radio to work that rare dx! We will miss him greatly and we thank the Lord for sharing him with us.He was a blessing to all who knew him,Bud we know that you are with our Lord and we also know that he is well pleased with your great service! As in the words of Edmund Burk,"All that is needed for Evil to prevail is for Good men to do nothing". Bud was an exception,he was a Good man and he did many things to fight Evil. Defend him oh Lord and welcome him,a true warrior in your service.

James E. Norton,KA8SHZ

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of James "Kingfish" Norton KA8SHZ of Cedar Springs,MI. Jim was a friend to many of us as well as a member of the MDXA. Jim was Co-Founder of MARA...the Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance....he also Co-Founded the Brass Bangers Bang Better club! Jim was a great CW man...he made thousands of contacts all over the world! He also held DXCC-WAS-WAC and at least 50 other awards. His radio collection was fantastic,you name it he had it. The most important thing to remember was that Jim was and is a friend to many. He will be greatly missed by myself and the many people who came in contact with him. Jim was famous for saying "Ye Shall Know Them By Their Call Sign"...Jim was a man of great vision,I can think of at least 2 clubs that would never have existed without him!

Jim was also a Veteran,he served in WWII and Korea. Jim Norton and Chuck LeMarbre came up with the idea for the Great Lakes Award,Jim did all of the Art work while Chuck did the structure of the award. Today the Great Lakes Award hangs in hundreds of Ham Shacks around the world! Why did they call Jim Norton the Kingfish? Well,he was a "King" among men! Jim could take an idea and see it through! He was a motivator and a natural born leader of men. I along with many in Michigan will miss the Kingfish. Next time you tune up that rig of yours on 40 meters think of the Kingfish. He is still out there! Through the Static you can still hear.. "This is Kilo Alpha 8 Sugar Hotel Zulu"....I know now that the Kingfish has made the Ultimate Contact! He is with the Creator of the Universe!

Goodbye Jim,we love you and we will miss you.

Jim became a member of the MDXA on August 14th 2001

Jim was known and loved by many of our members for several years.