We're saddened this morning to hear of the death of Jim Gasser, subject of Ben Paynter's May, 2007 cover story "There Can Be Only One Foam Sword Fighter." Gasser died in a car crash Monday in New Mexico.
Paynter's portrait of Gasser was unusual, in that the writer became the apprentice. Seeking to understand Gasser's mastery of Barbarian foam sword play, Paynter is drawn into the geeky Ren-Fest world and ultimately, formally challenges his mentor to a fight. (An editor probably isn't supposed to say this, but this story one is one of my all-time favorites. -- C.J.)
In memory of Gasser, we'll leave you with this excerpt from early in the story:
He drives me toward the intersection of 49th Street and Walnut whilereciting the 500 B.C. battle cry of Greek philosopher Heraclitus: "Out
of every 100 men, 10 shouldn't even be there, 80 are just targets, nine
are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the
battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others
back."
He tells me that he hopes one day to be the One. A teetotaler, Gasserspends hours each day working on his swordsmanship, practicing hundreds
of repetitions of his attack moves. When I tell him it sounds
excessive, he shrugs. "What would the Spartans be doing?"
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The Barbarian Jim is quite famous, to say the very least of merely being known to the world. It was, and still is, and forever will be, a fame that has and will still continue to stretch oh so very, very far... over numerous a genre, across worlds so many, wondrous beyond wonder of worlds that it is much more than difficult even to attempt a contemplation of the seemingly infinite depth and reach one man's impact alone can hold, on not just one world, this world so large that it can swallow a man into history, infinity, and beyond all measure to reach other men, but every small and single and solitary world of every human that is their world all in their own... an ability perhaps, yes, that is one clever manner to define it, that just ONE SOLE MAN... so kind, so gentle, so soft spoken and loving, yet stronger than life with the size of his heart thrice that of his bicep, and with arms of a look that could hold the whole of the world itself on high, and spin on a finger without even a grunt of effort to flex his muscles so, it would baffle one for twelve lifetimes how a man of such raw power and strength of arm could contain within his chest a heart so huge and great as to exponentially dim such might even from just a mere glance of Jim's poise and posture of strength..... had one merely not had the great honor and opportunity to meet him face to face, to experience such a man even just once, even for just one little tiny moment. For all, including myself, who were honored with that experience, to meet and befriend Jim more than know, yet understand, in a full and complete manner of the strength which I speak. A strength of which is so valued and rare that merely to have simply had eye contact with a brief exchange of hello's was alone enough to incorporate a vastness of friendship of kindness and deep soul touching wealth from Jim's grand treasury of Love that surpasses by far all the gold and jewels of every king and kingdom from the beginning of time 'til Ragnarok quakes and our good Lord returns us all to meet Jim in Heaven and Valhalla the same.
Most honored I feel I am..... to have known and be known by, in spirit and flesh; to have received Love and Friendship and to have given Love and Friendship in return, both of such size and magnitude; to have fought with and against, died for and with, and then slaughtered upon the blade, and dare I say, once or twice, if it be believed by any, to have even defeated one of, if not the sole, Greatest Warrior E'er Lived, I had the Honor to Know.......
I stood by my King, as he gave your final eulogy. The two of us alone stood together looking out across the lake at all whom had gathered to witness our very humble and ancient Rite, our quaint tradition that we all hoped would have some lasting impact upon your life and your soul. Then further we reached still, out to all that gazed across a still body of water, equally humble to the boat we had built for you... we reached out as far as our still mortal hands could allow, to the lives and souls of all whom you had touched in your mortal years, and only with the strength that you yourself could have gifted us, given from the wealth of Love from your great heart to ours, only with that strength could we let go our grasp of you, of our need of your Love and your Strength, and hand you over to God, our true Lord, Forevermore, Forever after, with a traditional burning of a quaint and humble boat.
Goodbye, my friend... more than these words and these pages that all whom hold you dear to their hearts speak out in earnest of their great Love for you could ever do to show the world, so vast and now so much less full of Love, that you will always be missed, the Strength and the Love you have blessed all our hearts with will ensure that you shall never be forgotten. So until the day comes when I, and we all, shall return to all that I, and we all have lost, I can only bid you,
Farewell My Friend.....
Odd... I just found your blog by looking for 'financial spreadbetting' on Google. But I don't see any articles about that on here?
Jim was the man. I worked under him at the Eldridge in 93 in the Kitchen. I was fortunate to maintain a friendship with him since and .....I was always taken back at how much he loved his fighting craft. I wish i could get a rematch....
Jim was a true martial artist, a complete gentleman, and a hero to all he met. I will miss my friend more than I can say. God Bless you Jim.
I was lucky enough to know the other Jim, the incredible chef. We worked together at the Dragonfly Grill in Martini Corner, a restaurant light years ahead of its time. The menu was Asian style tapas, and Jim was the mastermind behind it all. The Pitch's own Charles Farruza asked where everyone was, as the food was fantastic, but the concept never caught on. He was a master in several trades, but above all was more full of love than anyone I have ever met. The news is shocking and horrible and he will be greatly missed by anyone that knew him. I was lucky to call him friend.
God bless it all.......My kids have been sparring with this man for years.....He was one of those people who remembered who his friends were no matter what state he was in......he will be missed, Peace to his family, God only takes those he is ready for.
I fought with him in the 2008 KC Ren. Fair. I dueled him, and i can honestly say, he was one hellova fighter. He will be missed greatly. Rest well, my friend.
I had the privelage of meeting Jim and hanging out with him a few times at Antioch Park and the RenFaire in the last couple of years, and I can honestly say that he was one of the nicest human beings that I have met. He made you feel like you were part of his family, even after you had just met him. Full of charisma, full of life, and had a great personality. He was truly something special just to be around. Warriors are never forgotten.. the KC RenFaire won't be the same without you, Jim.
In today's world that is so full of violence and hatred, it is truly beyond tragic to lose such a gentleman and a gentle man. This has left an enormous void in many hearts and lives. I am very thankful to have called this wonderful man a friend. The most gentle of warriors. Till we meet again.
Jim was the consummate gentleman to everyone around him; and those of us in what you refer to as "the geeky Ren-Fest world" - which includes hundreds of educated, sincere, caring folks from every facet of society and walk of life, will never forget him. We have lost a beloved, thoughtful, soft-spoken hero and family member. God's Speed, Jim, until we meet anon.
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