I found out today that a HAM radio acquaintance of mine, Byron King K4NGJ, died when his motorcycle hit a deer this morning. He was 53 years old.

I’d only met Byron one time in person but you’d have thought we were best friends. That’s just the way he was: big, friendly, and outgoing. I don’t do much talking on the amateur radio repeaters around here but I do occasionally tune in. Whenever I heard Byron’s voice I couldn’t help but pause and hear what was going on with him. That’s mostly how I knew him: what he shared with others on the radio.

In addition to the ham radio public service stuff Byron did, he also volunteered for the Red Cross – assisting with their disaster recovery services.

It’s hard learning such a great person has passed on, especially since it comes on the birthday of my late friend Gerry.

Update 25 Sept: Byron’s funeral details can be foundhere.