WRESTLING HISTORIAN JIM MELBY PASSED AWAY
- 02/11/2007 (3:36:04 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
….
Tom Burke has informed us that our friend and fellow historian, Jim Melby passed away last night in his home. He had suffered a lot in the past few years.
He always helped anyone looking for wrestling history, results, projects, etc.
Jim was held in the highest regard by everybody within the industry.
Jim's passing leaves a giant hole in many of our worlds. There was only one like him and he can't be replaced.
Jim's passing leaves a giant hole in many of our worlds. There was only one like him and he can't be replaced.
Whenever any of us went to Jim for past results, dates, etc., he didn't know the word "no". It was always, "give me a little time, I will find it for you".
The wrestling world will never be the same without you, our friend.
Rest in peace, Jim. You will be missed more than you can ever know. Our deepest condolences to Jim's family, friends and fans..
Rest in peace, Jim. You will be missed more than you can ever know. Our deepest condolences to Jim's family, friends and fans..
Georgie
Here is my email address incase you would like to send in some memories of Jim
CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Noted historian James C. Melby dies Melby battled diabetes since 1971, when he was a hefty lad. Forced to lose weight and deal with the disease, Melby later had a kidney transplant and had a leg amputated. It never stopped his passion, however, and he attended wrestling reunions from the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion in Las Vegas to the Gulf Coast Reunion in Mobile, Alabama in the last year. He was found dead beside his bed Sunday morning, and had corresponded with friends through the Internet on Saturday night. Divorced twice, Melby is survived by his mother, June, daughter Michelle and son-in-law Chad. He is to be creamated.
Hard to believe that this occurred. Jim just wrote a biography for the PWHF program and was making plans to attend the PWHF Inductions in 2008. I've traded memorabilia with him for years and cherish some of the rare items I received from him. I'm glad that he was recognized by the Newton HOF before he died. Bob Bryla
Dear friends,
I am very saddened of the passing of Jim Melby. I spoke with him a few weeks ago and traded emails with him often. I will miss his kind voice and his passion for the history of professional wrestling. Rest In Peace dear friend! You are missed!
Bill Anderson
I will always remember the kind, soft-spoken man that I was lucky enough to spend a large portion of time with at the Gulf Coast Wrestler's Reunion. Jim was a man of quiet dignity. Beyond all his contributions to the wrestling business, I am saddened that we have lost a human being of such fine quality, who was loved and respected by all.
Rest in peace, Jim. mrkurtnielsen
Discovering Pro-wrestling in the mid 60's I looked forward to my copy of Wrestling Revue, the columns and stories written by Jim Melby were a large part of that especially his insights concerning the AWA. While the other magazines catered to creative fiction and cheesecake his writings took the factual approach.I had been in touch with him in recent years as I tried to procure those elusive Kietzer era trading cards. A large void is left with his passing my sympathies to his family and friends. I hope others continue with his historical interests in Wrestling as well.
Rich Kraemer ......Brick NJ
Greetings:
Jim was my childhood buddy. We used to like to go to the public
library and research wrestling results.
He was very kind hearted. There are many wrestlers, writers and
photographers who received their first and sometimes only break, from him and Norman, when they ran the magazine.
He loved the business.
Regards, Marvin Joel Rubin
Jim was my childhood buddy. We used to like to go to the public
library and research wrestling results.
He was very kind hearted. There are many wrestlers, writers and
photographers who received their first and sometimes only break, from him and Norman, when they ran the magazine.
He loved the business.
Regards, Marvin Joel Rubin
I met Jim here at the GCWR and am so proud and blessed for the time I got to spend with him. What a wonderful human being. "Rest In Peace My Friend"
http://community.webtv.net/gulfcoastchamp/COWBOYBOBKELLY
http://community.webtv.net/gulfcoastchamp/COWBOYBOBKELLY
Jim Melby was one of my 60's-on mentors in wrestling writing, and I'm sure for many of you. He was always very giving as one of the premiere writer/editors in concert with his publishing partner Norm Kietzer(Brian Bukantis keeps their memory alive when he purchased the rights to Wrestling Revue magazine and historic photo archive.) Jim and Norm went from editing and publishing near-shoot magazines to doing same for nearly every promotions program beginning in 1973. From Mike Lebell to Vince McMahon Sr and Leroy McGuirk, nearly every top promoter eventually used their high-quality programs produced in Minnesota, but wise enough to keep local content in them. I'm sure Georgie, Norm and Tom Burke have many great Jim stories.
Jim always had a funny story about setting up wrestler Jumpin' Jim Brunzell to meet his idol Bruce Springsteen backstage at a concert in 1976 we were assigned to shoot. It was so kayfabbed, that few ever knew until a few years ago that Jim put all this together because he knew Brunzell was such a "B.S. mark" as our Jim put it. Brunzell still talks about meeting his idol to this day.
At the LIWA women's wrestling and history annual conventions, Jim served as one of the top bout refs along with the late Hotline Ric Carter. Both felt the wrath of an errant Johnny Mae Young potato at times in the heat of officiating, but Jimmy said "it's a badge of honor to have a shiner from that shooter!" I can't believe we've lost both in only a matter of months. Jim had also been planning the past few years to reunite all of us who'd served on the board of the old 60's and 70's original WFIA assocation planning a reunion possibly in concert with CAC and brothers Dave Burzyski, Tom Burke, Jeff Walton, Eric Goldenberg, Mike Gratchner and others.
After sadly losing his leg I believe to adult diabetes a few years back, Jim never once complained and continued on doing his work for CAC and as always, for wrestling history preservation. And how great were his books, particularly his most recent going into the history of pro wrestling in Minnesota? Jim was the absolute greatest. And few had as great a classic tape and research library. He always had a big smile and good word for everyone, and always ended letters or emails with his salutation of "friends, Jim." Jim treasured coming to CAC every year and being involved as much as his strength would allow.
Jim, you indeed were one of the best friends this biz has ever seen. We thank you for your dedication, devotion and love for pro wrestling.
Jim always had a funny story about setting up wrestler Jumpin' Jim Brunzell to meet his idol Bruce Springsteen backstage at a concert in 1976 we were assigned to shoot. It was so kayfabbed, that few ever knew until a few years ago that Jim put all this together because he knew Brunzell was such a "B.S. mark" as our Jim put it. Brunzell still talks about meeting his idol to this day.
At the LIWA women's wrestling and history annual conventions, Jim served as one of the top bout refs along with the late Hotline Ric Carter. Both felt the wrath of an errant Johnny Mae Young potato at times in the heat of officiating, but Jimmy said "it's a badge of honor to have a shiner from that shooter!" I can't believe we've lost both in only a matter of months. Jim had also been planning the past few years to reunite all of us who'd served on the board of the old 60's and 70's original WFIA assocation planning a reunion possibly in concert with CAC and brothers Dave Burzyski, Tom Burke, Jeff Walton, Eric Goldenberg, Mike Gratchner and others.
After sadly losing his leg I believe to adult diabetes a few years back, Jim never once complained and continued on doing his work for CAC and as always, for wrestling history preservation. And how great were his books, particularly his most recent going into the history of pro wrestling in Minnesota? Jim was the absolute greatest. And few had as great a classic tape and research library. He always had a big smile and good word for everyone, and always ended letters or emails with his salutation of "friends, Jim." Jim treasured coming to CAC every year and being involved as much as his strength would allow.
Jim, you indeed were one of the best friends this biz has ever seen. We thank you for your dedication, devotion and love for pro wrestling.
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