By Gail Wood
For Paul Bakala, it is always a pick-me-up moment whenever he sees Jim Brown.
“Every time I see Jim, he always puts a smile on my face,” Bakala said. “He always has a good word to say.”
Jim, with his friendly approach to people, has connected well with the community over the years. Whether as a member of the Olympia Fire Department, mountain bike rider, or organizer of a youth bicycling club that’s turned into one of the premier programs in the country, Jim connects.
“He’s just that guy who always has got a smile on his face,” Bakala said.
Jim hasn’t lost that smile. But recent news has added a grimace.
In May, Jim got some sobering news from his doctor. His shortness of breath whenever he’d work out wasn’t because of age – he’s 47. And it wasn’t because he’s out of shape – he goes on 100-mile bike rides.
It was because he has lung cancer, adenocarcinoma. He was diagnosed in May and is currently undergoing treatment.
“My dream has been interrupted by an unwelcome guest,” Jim said. Jim’s reaction is revealing. Rather than withdraw into despair, he went on a 92-mile bike ride. “Idiot,” Jim said about his long bike ride.
Actually, “fighter” is a more accurate description. Jim’s approach is “I can beat this.” The father of three daughters is determined to conquer this new foe.
“Our family has a rough road ahead,” Jim said. “It goes down as the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but we will get through this.”
Jim said he’s been through the remorse stage, the crying with family. “I am now putting on my game face,” he said.
Jim and his family aren’t going through this alone. They’ve been surrounded by friends. His request list is short.
“I am not too proud to ask for prayer,” he said.
And now that Jim is facing cancer, friends are wanting to stand with him. To help cover his medical costs, friends have put together a fundraiser on July 11 to raffle off a $2,800 Kona mountain bike that was donated. Tickets for the raffle are $5. The benefit starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Westside Tavern.
Jason Casebolt, a long-time friend of Brown’s and who once worked alongside him as a paramedic, is overwhelmed by the support and concern people have shown for Jim.
“There’s been a huge outpouring of support for Jim,” Casebolt said. “I get to see it from many different perspectives.”
There’s concern, questions about how Jim is doing, from people in the fire department and from the cycling community. Casebolt has even seen “Hold Fast” bumper stickers on cars. Jim has written that old Coast Guard saying on the back of fingers. It’s a reminder of his commitment to persevere.
“It’s interesting to see the outpouring of support from people I work with and cyclists in other states,” Casebolt said.
Jim, who was in the Coast Guard, has touched so many people. Beyond his focus on his own training for rides like annual Seattle-to-Portland, Jim started Rad Racing Northwest, a non-profit, junior cycling development team that’s launched national champions, some who went on to race professionally. But Jim made sure Rad Racing wasn’t just about cycling.
“It’s about teaching life’s lessons,” said Casebolt, who is on Rad’s staff with Jim. “Homework comes first. And you don’t have to win the race.”
The message is to always give 100 percent. That’s something Jim’s known for doing himself.
“When people think of Rad Racing Northwest, they think of Jim Brown,” said Derik Archibald, owner of Joy Ride Bicycles in Lacey.
And when people think of Jim Brown they also think of a good friend.
“Jim is a very giving person,” Archibald said. “It’s always for the kids. It’s always for the community.”
Troy Churchwell has known Jim for 15 years, both professionally and as a partner on mountain bike rides. Troy and Jim used to work together as paramedics. Now, Jim is his boss. News of Jim’s cancer was a shocker.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Churchwell said. “Here’s a guy who does everything right. He exercises. He eats well. I just couldn’t believe it.”
One thing Churchwell isn’t surprised by is Jim’s response. “He’s always been a fighter,” Churchwell said.
Jim has experienced the fight with cancer before when cancer took his father.
“During that whole time, Jim was very supportive of him,” Churchwell said. “He shaved his head. He put ‘Hold Fast’ on his fist back then, too. He’s going to fight this.”
Now, the community is rallying around a good friend.
“He’s made a difference to so many of us,” Bakala said. “He’s been a positive influence in our lives. He’s said some things to me that’s helped. Now, we’re going to step up and do what we can to help him.”
