James at the Cabrillo Mole on Catalina at the 2013 PFIC-UPSAC Get Together  

James Liu (GDude), a good friend, a fishing companion, and truly one of the finest men I have known, has died and I must admit that I am heartbroken by his passing. I just wish I could somehow prevent the pain his family is suffering. Born in 1966 and died in 2014, simple dates but they show a still fairly young man who leaves family and friends stunned with his passing. Unfortunately, those dates do not do justice to someone who impacted so many lives in such a positive manner.

James was a big man with a big heart, always ready to help out where needed, willing to selflessly give of his time and money, and willing to work longer and harder than most can imagine. James had a brilliant mind as evidenced by his degrees and jobs but what was truly brilliant was his ability to achieve so much success in so many different endeavors. Success helping out his children’s schools, success with UPSAC (United Pier and Shore Anglers of California), success with the Boy Scouts, and success with a plethora of other organizations. Most important though was the success he achieved with his own family, his loving and supportive wife Dora, and his three wonderful children, Warren, Amanda and Elaine. His ability to handle a highly demanding job while at the same time being an exemplary role model for his children is all too rare today. He had high expectations for his children, and they have met the challenge, but he also provided the love and support needed for the challenge and was always the model to be emulated. I rarely use the term great in describing a person but in this case that seems the most appropriate word, a man who achieved greatness in many ways and one who will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.

I recall the words he posted to my Pier Fishing in California message board back in 2005 when Stan Low, another of our PFIC anglers, died: “Each angler carries his own ideas. Some never knew Stan. Some want to honor and pay him tribute. I was the one who wrapped the rod and brought it to Stan’s funeral that folks signed and buried with him. It’s what I would have wanted in his place with so many fishing friends seeing me off and it was the least I could do for Stan and his family on that day.”

We cannot place a rod in James’ hand for eternity, but we can honor his death and remember the grace, humility and kindness he showed to us all.

A collection of pictures over the years —

2002 Green Pleasure Pier, Avalon, Catalina Island

2002 — The group picture at Catalina

2003 — James, a lobster, and some fishin’ buds at the Green Pleasure Pier

2003 — The group picture at Catalina

2004 — James releasing an under-sized sheephead at the Cabrillo Mole

2004 — Warren and Amanda helping with the raffle

2004 —The Liu family (James, Dora, Warren, Amanda) at the Goleta Pier Get Together

2004 — James at Furry Creek near the home he owned in British Columbia

 2005 — James at the Cabrillo Mole at Avalon, Catalina Island

2005 — Group picture at Catalina

 2005 — James and Warren fishing at Redwoods Shore

2005 — James working at the Romberg Center in Tiburon on an environmental project for the bay

2006 — GDude hauling in a bonito, his favorite fish,  at the Cabrillo Mole

2006 — GDude and a bonito at the Cabrillo Mole

2006 — Group picture at Catalina

2007 — Another bonito at Catalina

2007 — Bonito at Catalina

2007 — Group picture at Catalina

2007 — Helping teach the “Ethical Angler” class at the Goleta Pier

2008 — Fish on!

2008 — Another bonito at Catalina

2008 — The lineup at the Mole

2008 — James at Catalina

2008 — James, Amanda and Hashem at Catalina

2008 — Group picture at Catalina

2008 — Dedication of the Goleta Pier Angler Center

2008 — James showing Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf how to fish

2008 — Interview time with the Supervisor

2008 — The group picture at the Goleta Pier Angler Center

2008 — James teaching a Kids Fishing Class at the Santa Cruz Wharf

2009 — Another bonito at Catalina

2009 — Bonito time

2009 — A beautiful bonito

2009 — Waiting on the bonito 

2009 — A beautiful fish 

2009 —The boys at Catalina

2009 — Warren’s first bonito and a proud Papa

2009 — Group picture at Catalina

 2010 — James helping out at the UPSAC booth at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach

2010 — The crew at the Fred Hall Show

2010 — James at the Cabrillo Mole

2010 — Pier Rats at the Mole

2010 — Pier Rats at the Mole #2

2010 — James and SteveO at the Mole

2010 — James at Dinner at Mi Casita in Avalon

2010 — Group picture at Catalina

2010 —Kids Fishing Derby at Goleta Pier

2010 —Food for the Kids Fishing Derby at Goleta Pier

2011 — Arrival in Avalon

2011 — James and Adam (Baitfish) at the rail

2011 — Adam getting the net ready

2011 — A bonito!

2011 — Dinner at Mi Casita Restaurant

2011 — Dinner at Mi Casita Restaurant

2011 — James and Adam at the Mole

2011 — James with Robert (Redfish) in the background

2011 — Dinner at Antonio’s

2011 — Dinner at Antonio’s — #2

2011 — Dinner at Antonio’s — #3

2011 — Dinner at Antonio’s — #4

2011 — James at the Mud Marlin (Bat Ray) Derby, Berkeley Pier

2012 — Dinner at Mi Casita

2012 — Group picture

2013 — James at the Cabrillo Mole, Avalon

2013 — James at the Cabrillo Mole, Avalon

2013 — Warren, Amanda and James at the Cabrillo Mole, Avalon

2013 — The Liu Family — Warren, Amanda, James, Eiain, and Dora

2013 — Group picture at the Cabrillo Mole, Avalon

2013 — Kids Fishing Derby, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara — Brian, Warren, Amanda, James and Elain

2013 — James and Brian at Stearns Wharf

2013 — James at the Kids Fishing Derby, Berkeley Pier

2013 — James at the Kids Fishing Derby, Berkeley Pier

2013 — James at the Kids Fishing Derby, Berkeley Pier

2013 — James at the Kids Fishing Derby, Berkeley Pier

 GDude at Furry River, British Columbia