Jim Purks, KF4PQL (SK)
1944-2015

James Michael Purks, KF4PQL, was born on 29 October 1944, and died on 3 March 2015.
Jim was a member of Stafford High School class of 1962. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Navy. He joined up with AT&T, and he retired after more than 45 years of service.

His other activities included working at radio stations as a part-time DJ. For a long time he was on WAGE radio in Leesburg as host of the popular Saturday morning show, "Jim's Jukebox."  He also served Loudoun county as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, and most recently as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Jim was very active in Amateur Radio.  Licensed as Technician Class on 7 March 1997, he upgraded to General Class on 18 June 2003, and finally achieved Amateur Extra Class on 9 June 2008.
He participated in Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS). He joined their nets on a daily basis when possible.
Jim was a long time member of the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC) and participated in most of its activities.  He became the Vice President of SPARC in 2005.
Jim will be missed.


Jim (in background) operating SSB at K4NVA station at the QTH of Dick, W2YE, in 2001.
Jim operating at night during Field Day in June 2006.

Jim often assisted at the Awards ceremonies for the Virginia QSO Party.  Here, Jim, on the left, is awarding a plaque for  High Multiple Operator Multiple Station plaque sponsored by the Sterling Park ARC to the operators of station W4ML
Jim, on right, is holding an antenna while Russ, W3RST, works the soldering iron and John, N3QT, look on, during Field Day in June 2008.


Jim helped at the special stations SPARC operated at the local festivals in Sterling and Herndon.  Here Jim is at the booth at Sterlingfest in 2009.
Jim, on the left, at the Herndon Festival 10K/5K races where SPARC operates a small VHF net connecting the finish line to the milestone marks. To his right are Gary, K4SRX (seated); Dick, W2YE; and Charlie, K3SR.

Jim taught classes to prospective hams.  Here Jim is teaching "Modulation modes, amateur satellite operation, operating activities, and non-voice communications techniques" to a class in May, 2014.
Jim enjoyed operating a radio station from the Herndon Caboose during the model train show in Herndon.  This is in December of 2009.


Jim, 4th from right in white shirt, in SPARC group picture at start of Field Day on 26 June 2010.

Jim, 5th from right in white shirt, in SPARC group picture at start of Field Day in June 2011.

Jim, in front near center in white shirt and blue shorts, at Field Day in June 2012.

Jim, 3rd from right in yellow shirt, at Field Day in June 2013.

Jim, 5th from right in yellow striped shirt, at Field Day in June 2014.

Last photo of Jim at a SPARC event. He is acting as a Volunteer Examiner at a SPARC sponsored license examination session on 1 February 2015.