I'll miss the big barbarian....

As so many in the local F-list has posted; we lost one of our own at the KC renfaire, Jim Gasser who was our Barbarian. For others on my f-list who may not have known Jim he took 'Barbarian' and made it a user friendly art form. He was all decked out in leather, furs and horns, but would always take time for any kid. He was driven to develop his own boffer/foam swords and fighting system and had a legion of fans, mostly young boys, that would play all day in his Barbarian Forest at faire. Yet despite all that flowing testosterone Jim kept a steady hand and the kids respected and followed him.

As I mentioned in another comment, a lot of folks do not know that Jim was also a Chef. For our anniversary one year Himself and I went to the new restaurant Jim was the head chef for. It was a small-plate/aisian-fusion menu that I think in the end KC just wasn't ready for (well, that and the location). We were there just after lunch so we had the place, and Jim, pretty much to ourselves. He brought small plate after small plate out for us to try and would sit and visit with us talking about the food and life in general. It helped make the anniversary celebration special, and is now a special memory.

Jim was one of the best huggers at faire but a challenge to do so because you had to get through the horns and skulls :). Always well worth it though. Jim, you will be missed.