Jim Kluth, long time member of the Athens Amateur Radio Club, passed away January 1, 2001 in Athens, Texas.

He was born October 1, 1928 in Anderson County Texas. He served in the Army National Guard for 37 years. He also worked for several years with Henderson County Sherriffs Department serving at the county jail and the county juvenile department. He was also a reserve peace officer for the Athens Police Department for several years.

Jim was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Scottish Rite Temple Valley of Dallas having attained his 32 degree in Masonry and his red cap. He also held degrees in the York Rite, and was a member of the Athens Masonic Lodge #165, having served as master of the lodge. He was a past District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District #17. He was a past master of the Adam Royder Lodge in Welborn, Texas, as well as a member of the College Station Lodge at Bryan, Texas.

Jim was also very active in Boy Scouts having been a scout master for over twenty years. Jim was awarded the Order of the Arrow for his excellent service in scouting, along with the Boy Scout Merrit of Excellence.