Saturday, October 9, 2021
I knew Jim 50 years ago when he owned Speller's Dashery in Lompoc, California. He was one of the first Black men to own a business in the Lompoc area. He had opened the business right after getting out of the Air Force. He was well-known and well-liked in that region. He was also one of the first African Americans to belong to the local Rotary Club. I lost track of him when my family left that region. He spoke often about being from Camden New Jersey. I am not surprised to learn that he returned to that region. I hope he continued to have a productive life. Special condolences to his daughter Roni in California. I met her, too, by chance years later; he had every reason to be proud of her. Carol Surles / Pensacola, Florida
Thomas E. May, Founder 1946-2022