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alexalexander2000
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| Joined: | Tuesday Feb 6th, 2007 |
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 05:34 PM |
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Hey, I was just reading the Seattle Times this morning, and they had an article about a 62 year old James A. Cress who was killed on a Harley in Skagit County Saturday afternoon? Would this perchance be the same "Gentleman" Jim Cress from Skagit Speedway?
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justafan
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| Joined: | Tuesday Aug 28th, 2007 |
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 06:14 PM |
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| Yes it is. I saw it on the skagit website http://www.skagitspeedway.com. So sad, Jim was a nice man and was a joy to pit next to.
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racemom4469
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 06:15 PM |
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Yes, very sadly this is the same Jim Cress we all know and love! We heard about it last night. Another one who has a seat in heaven~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Just an Old Guy
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 08:00 PM |
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This is really sad to hear. There was never a time that I didn't enjoy seeing and having a chat with Jim. He was very deserving of the "Gentleman" Jim title.
Rest In Peace Mr. Cress.
____________________
Your head is rejecting your eardrums............
.....How long have you been around racecars?
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K9 Racer
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 09:03 PM |
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| the wreck happened yesterday afternoon just down the road from me. i drove by after it happened and felt bad to see a fellow biker in a wreck. didnt find out how serious it was or who it was till just a bit ago. this is sad news indeed! my prayers go out to his family and friends
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sprint_car_fan2007
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 09:36 PM |
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Wow this is shocking I remember watching Jim race at Skagit, and with the Northern Sprint Tour, a real nice guy, he pitted next to my dad a few times, and just really nice down to earth guy.
Thoughts and prayers with his family
R.I.P Jim
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http://www.youtube.com/sprintcarchamp
http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/sprint_car_fan2007/
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racemom4469
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 09:42 PM |
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It is very sad, we lost a really good man. From our racing family to thiers, God Bless and our thoughts and prayers are with Jeff and families.
RIP JIM
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nettersc39
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Posted: Sunday Oct 19th, 2008 11:37 PM |
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| Man what sad news!! RIP Jim!!!!
____________________
In Loving Memory; FB & RP!!!
Our policy is to always blame the computer/router
My inferiority complex is not as good as yours
Help I'm twisted & I can't get up!!!!
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speedbuggy
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| Joined: | Monday Jul 4th, 2005 |
| Location: | Burlington, Wa. |
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 01:30 AM |
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| Wow. What a shock. If I recall Jim had a pretty serious bike accident not to long ago and was struggleing to recover from it. Thoughts are with his Wife and family.
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Alaskan
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 03:14 AM |
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I had just recently visited with Jim down on the dock in the boat harbor.
He was tinkering on his boat while awaiting a photo journalist from a yachting magazine that was going to do a feature article on Jim's newest addition to the product line at Nordic Tugs....his new 49 footer
The name on his boat, a Nordic Tug 52, tells a lot about the man...
RIP Jim
Last edited on Monday Oct 20th, 2008 03:20 AM by Alaskan
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Ronnie Lake
Member
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 04:30 AM |
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anyone know how or why the accident happened?
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Myspace.com/thedewaholic
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K9 Racer
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 02:03 PM |
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| looked to me like he was going into a corner and crossed the center line and hit a jeep wagoneer. happened south of the big lake bar and grill about half a mile.
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kjsprinter
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 03:36 PM |
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When I heard on Sunday I could not believe it. My thoughts and prayers go to the family. May God surround you with comfort during this time of tragedy.
K&W Racing Family.
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sprintcarfan85
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 03:54 PM |
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| RIP Jim... May God surround your family during this horrible time. Enjoy the view of the races up there... You have the best seat in the house now.
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"Dirts for racin... Asphalts for getting there"
"Only the Best Go Four Abreast"
"Wine'em... Dine'em... 69'em!" - BK
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4PzRacin11z
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 06:16 PM |
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Our deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to the Cress Family.
The Pawlowicz's
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br
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| Joined: | Tuesday Jan 24th, 2006 |
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 07:21 PM |
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I sat next to Jim on the plane coming home from Vegas after one of those famous Beach Hut Outlaw Vacations. He was telling me about how he always dreamed of driving a sprint car and figured he should do it and did. A lot of that conversation is why I decided to try racing. As much as I sometimes question that decision,  he was a really cool guy and down to earth. RIP Jim Cress we will miss you.
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DunlapRacing
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 07:31 PM |
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Jim was one of the guys who told me to never give up on my dreams, one of the reasons I have stuck with it... I never forgot what you said Jim, may you rest in peace, and condolences to the Cress family in this difficult time.
Dan Dunlap and family
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http://www.myspace.com/244725098 <--Dunlap Racing
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rickt
Administrator
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Posted: Monday Oct 20th, 2008 08:12 PM |
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| RIP Jim...
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We need more Military Appreciation days at Speedways
"Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."
-John Wayne
FB/92
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racemom4469
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Posted: Tuesday Oct 21st, 2008 08:22 PM |
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Here is an article from the Skagit Valley Herald, and excellent article telling us whom Jim Cress really was, one great guy all the way around!
Jim Cress took up sprint car racing after age 50, boated to the Caribbean in the wake of a hurricane and rode motorcycles to Alaska and back.
He died Saturday when he crossed the center line of Highway 9 on his Harley, collided with an SUV and went off the road.
Cress, 62, was president and CEO of Burlington-based Nordic Tugs. He also owned Skipper Cress Yacht Sales in Anacortes, the local Nordic Tugs dealer, and is a former co-owner of Skagit Speedway.
Friends, family and colleagues remembered him Monday as a generous man with a keen business sense. He had felt life’s lows, but battled addiction and became a lover of life and a mentor to others, they said.
Nordic Tugs, and Cress, moved to Skagit County in 1989. The company had 13 employees, including Cress, then a salesman.
Today Nordic Tugs has 120 employees, said Executive Vice President David Goehring.
“He was pretty much the driving force behind Nordic Tugs and very passionate about the boats and the company,” Goehring said of Cress, who became president and CEO 12 years ago. “He was a great salesman.”
Cress no longer worked at Nordic Tugs on a daily basis, Goehring said, focusing more on Skipper Cress in recent years.
“Even though he had passed the torch to the next generation, his wisdom and counsel was still highly sought after by our industry,” said Dave Malseed, president of the Anacortes Marine Trades Association. “And he will be sorely missed as one of the pioneers of fiberglass boat-building in the valley.”
Cress believed in living out — and granting — dreams, friend and former business partner Steve Beitler said.
Beitler dreamt of owning Skagit Speedway. In 2001 it was put up for sale, but Beitler only had half the down payment so Cress paid the rest.
“Jim always told me that he didn’t have a burning desire to own a race track,” Beitler said. “He just wanted me to fulfill my dreams.”
“Jim is big on fulfilling dreams,” said Beitler, who bought out Cress’ speedway shares in 2004. “One of his dreams was to go racing.”
At age 50, Cress started racing sprint cars. The two men met at a parts shop Beitler owned then.
It is a dangerous sport, Beitler said, that showed Cress’ personality: He was daring and giving.
After hitting a competitor’s car once, Cress paid $500 for the other racer’s repairs, Beitler said
“That was the kind of guy Jim was,” Beitler said. “Others just say wrecks are part of racing.”
“At one time Jim lived a pretty hard life,” Beitler said. “Jim has helped a lot of people that have struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. Jim has walked down that path himself and he turned around and helped others out.”
“He had a lot of different people in his life,” his wife, Stephanie Cress said. “He had several opportunities in business, and in order to do that, you have to have a love of life.”
“Most people would say his generosity,” Stephanie Cress said of her husband’s defining characteristic. “But for me maybe it was ... his love of life.”
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RaceChick
Administrator
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Posted: Wednesday Oct 22nd, 2008 12:05 AM |
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| Services will be held at Christ The King church in Mt. Vernon at 2 on Saturday. Obituary will be in Wednesday's Skagit Valley Herald.
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FB#92
In the interest of saving time, lets just assume I know everything.
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racemom4469
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Posted: Wednesday Oct 22nd, 2008 01:08 AM |
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| Potluck afterwards, although I am not sure where.
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InfamousNikki5r
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Posted: Thursday Oct 23rd, 2008 08:04 PM |
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Our thoughts are with the Cress family.
I know that it felt good to have support after my mom passed away.
Just keep your heads high and remember all of the great memories that you shared.
____________________
Often Imitated, Never Duplicated.
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Jeepasaurusrex
Member
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Posted: Thursday Oct 23rd, 2008 11:17 PM |
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When I worked up by the Bayview airport, I would run into Jim from time to time at the Crosswinds restaurant and we would sit and BS while eating. It did not matter who you were, he would always take the time to carry on a conversation and be "Jim".
He will be missed.
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"I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to become a vegetarian"
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AKunas
Member
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Posted: Friday Oct 24th, 2008 12:08 AM |
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| I had the pleasure of meeting Jim once some time ago. A very nice man and a sad loss for the racing community. He will be missed.
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Alaskan
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Posted: Friday Oct 24th, 2008 02:57 AM |
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This photo was part of the article in the Skagit Valley Herald that Terri posted above...
Rod Perkins told me today that Jim had run his boat " BIG FUN " from right here in Anacortes down through the Panama Canal to Florida when he opened a sales office for Nordic Tugs some years ago.... and then back also.
Last edited on Friday Oct 24th, 2008 03:02 AM by Alaskan
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racemom4469
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Posted: Friday Oct 24th, 2008 04:46 AM |
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| Thanks for sharing, that is a GREAT picture!
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RaceChick
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Posted: Friday Oct 24th, 2008 04:30 PM |
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Jim Cress touched many lives. In the wake of this sad news I have spoke with many people that have shared stories and smiles when remembering this man. One thing that has been consistent when the name Cress has been spoke was kindness and generosity. With that being said, I would like to deliver a message that a little birdie told me. The giving will not stop after he is gone, which is why there will be a food drive at his funeral to benefit families in need. Please bring a donation in Jim's honor. It is only fitting when we come together to remember a man who helped make hopes and dreams reality to continue his selflessness the best we can. With the memory of Jim so big in your hearts let's make him proud.
I have seen what the racing community can do when brought together, and it is never short of amazing. Let's come together once again for a man who was a big part of our community.
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FB#92
In the interest of saving time, lets just assume I know everything.
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rocketrod69
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Posted: Saturday Oct 25th, 2008 03:43 AM |
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Finally got on to post my 2 cents about Jim...I worked for him for his first 5 years at SkipperCress..he was a huge race fan..went to Cassidy with us one year and for those that ever went there know that they would open the track up on Sunday for crew mwmbers to play. Well, knowing how bad Jim wanted to do this, we took a size large seat (borrowed from Clint, I think) so Jim could play in my car. He went out and had the time of his life. (This weekend, by the way, is also the ONLY time brother Steve has ever gotten behind the wheel...what a chicken..haha) Well, Monday morning at work Jim said "I gotta do this" so he started the motions in building a car. Thank god at that time we were selling alot of boats so we both could afford to play!! I will never forget, thru my memory and pictures that caught the moment, of him coming in off the track..the wide eyes and ear to ear smile!!!!!!!
Jim, u were a helluva man...bigger heart than alot will ever know...
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genxsignshop
Member
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Posted: Saturday Oct 25th, 2008 06:12 PM |
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We never had the pleasure to have met Jim personally. But we had the pleasure of applying his awesome logo to a few cars this year.
Our thoughts are with his Wife and family.
"MAY THERE ALWAYS BE AN OPEN TRACK FOR YOU JIM"
TJ & Ginger
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BLOOD...GUTZ...SPEED....ALL DONE WITH INSANE GRAFIX!
http://www.genxoutlawracing.com
E-mail: thepit@genxoutlawracing.com
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racemom4469
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Posted: Sunday Oct 26th, 2008 05:22 AM |
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Having been at Jim Cress's service this afternoon, I am pleased to tell you that the "food drive" in his honor was a huge success. There was food throughout the entire church, it was unbelievable as to how much was there. But besides the food people donated for the community, there was standing room only at Christ The King church. There were so many people there who told of thier memories of Jim Cress, and what we all walked away with is that we were happy to have known such a wonderful, kind, "gentle" man. But as it was stated before, Jim now has the best seat in the house!
HERES TO YOU JIM CRESS, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
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