I had spoken to Jack Hopson a few weeks ago. At that time I learned of his age and his desire to learn to fly gyro's, and to the fact that he had already purchased a machine.
I had expressed to Jack to NOT Attempt to fly his gyro, but to first come to Macon and get training in the Black and work towards his desire to fly his gyro.
Bad weather last week had stopped Jack from comin to Macon and we were planning for him to come next week since he could only stay one night. He never said why, that was just his wishes.
I did see the posting last night of the death of an 83 year old but didn't put it together it was Jack. I called his house this evening around 7;30 or so and ask to speak with Jack.. His wife ask who was I, and I told her Steve McGowan, she said that Jack was not there, I ask could she give him a message that I had called. And that we needed to re-schedule as soon as the weather got better.
Her answer was that "Jack would Not be Back because he is dead".
Needless to say,, I hit the floor wondering and asking what had happened.
Jacks wife explained the best that she knew how.
After talking to her I called Tim Chick,, still not wanting to believing what I had been told.
I still cannott and do not want to believe that this has happened. I had looked forward to meeting Jack, His voice and Joy over the phone was of a much younger person. He was in full agreement of everything I suggested about progressing into his dreams of flying. His joy was extremley noticeable of getting started with his life long dream to fly gyro's. We talked over an hour as to how we would be training, And he also understood the dangers associated with it.
My heart goes out to Jacks wife and family, I truly wish that someway this could have been avoided.
Steve