Sad News - Jim Korkis

[theaslip]

So sorry to hear this news about Jim, who has offered so much to the WDW fan community over the years. https://www.facebook.com/groups/boxpeople/permalink/2266266650224381/

 

[bluecruiser]

Thanks for posting this, I haven't seen coverage anywhere. Donated and shared online.

 

[Tonyz]

Korkis is the keeper of the secrets. He's the most knowledgeable person on the planet when it comes to Disney history. Such a shame.

 

[bluecruiser]

Update posted today by Mark Goldhaber on the GoFundMe page:

Hi, everyone. I just got off the phone with Jim. He's in good spirits, but is still struggling. He's still not able to walk. I read all of your messages to him and he was very touched by all of them.

I asked him if he had a message that he'd like to share with everyone. He said, "I'm so touched by all the support and love coming my way; it's inspirational. Please be happy, enjoy each day because we don't know how many we have, and be kind to each other."

I'll provide another update later this week. Thank you all for your support. --Mark

 

[bluecruiser]

Today's update from Mark Goldhaber:

Hey folks,

I just spoke with Jim, and he is absolutely blown away by the support and good wishes that he has received. I've read all of your messages to him, and he is incredibly appreciative of all of them. We have successfully transferred some of the money to his bank account, where it was used to pay off some of the medical bills, so your donations are definitely helping his state of mind in that area as well.

Jim will need to be out of the rehab clinic to begin his chemotherapy, as he will need to be able to walk into the chemo center in order to show that he's strong enough to tolerate the treatment. So far, he's able to transfer in and out of a wheelchair and to walk about 10 feet at a time, so he's making progress. They've tentatively schedule the first chemo treatment for July 12, so here's hoping that he'll be ready for that date.

We're also working to get Jim online from the clinic so that he can write, email, and otherwise engage with others (more on that later). This will also help when he leaves the clinic, as he will likely be living with his brother for a while until he's capable of living on his own again.

On a personal note, I'd like to thank you all for your support. Jim said that he has no way to repay all of you for your generosity. I assured him that he has "pre-paid" for this, and everything that he has put out there over the decades is now coming back to him. So thank you for helping Jim. I'll have another update in a few days.

Mark

 

[bluecruiser]

The GoFundMe fundraiser has raised $30K out of its $60K goal so far. Mark Goldhaber posted another update today:

I spoke with Jim a little while ago, so here's the latest update:

Jim continues to work to build up his strength. He thanks you all for your kindnesses and generosity; they give him great comfort.

Jim now has a brand-new Chromebook, courtesy of Lou Mongello, though he's struggling to adapt to his first laptop keyboard. Jim has cleaned out about half of the nearly 4,000 emails that greeted him when he first logged in, and he's continuing to work to catch up. We're hoping that later this week Jim will be able to get on to the GoFundMe and perhaps even provide the next update himself.

Jim asked me to share the following: "All of these wonderful and touching words of support and friendship mean more to me than any monetary donation; however I am grateful for the donations so that I am able to pay my medical bills and sleep at night with a clean conscience. I consider you all part of my extended family. Thank you."

 

[bluecruiser]

Today's update from Mark Goldhaber:

Jim's still struggling with the the Chromebook keyboard, so I will continue to provide the updates for the time being. We continue to hope that Jim can do his own updates soon. He really wants to get back to his writing, but is waiting for his research documents on his desktop computer to be copied and made available to the Chromebook. We hope that will occur within the next week or so.

In the meantime, here's what Jim dictated to me:
"One of the last things my mother asked me just before she died was 'who is going to take care of you?' She worried that I had taken care of her and Dad, but when I got old or sick I would be alone. This page is evidence that I am not alone. Whether you made a donation or not, whether it was a small donation or a large donation, each one of you has given me hope and comfort. When I go to sleep each night, I know that bills are paid and that people love me. I firmly believe in angels on Earth, and some of their names are on this page. God bless you all. There is a long road ahead, but I am glad that you're taking the journey with me."

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

Jim has been a guest on Connecting with Walt several times. Craig and I also enjoyed lunch with him at Downtown Disney (it's name at the time). Each time Jim was on the show I learned something new. I'd like to encourage folks to purchase his books because he has captured stories that would be otherwise lost to time. It is also another way to support him financially.

 

[bluecruiser]

Mark Goldhaber posted an update today:

Sorry there's been no update for a while. I had some issues of my own that kept me from posting an update from Jim. This time, Jim has written his own update, though I'm still posting it here for him. Here's what Jim has to say:

"When I dream I am walking without assistance and eating a wonderful meal at one of my favorite resturants. That will not be happening for quite awhile. I do physical therapy in the morning and afternoon. I am struggling but there is slow progress. I have always been impatient and it is hard to imagine that some day it will all be better. I can not start chemo until I can walk into the cancer center to show I have enough strength to do chemo.

"I wish I had not thrown away so many days by being too tired or too angry but taken time instead to read a comic book, eat a Sees chocolate, watched a classic Looney Tunes cartoon or a Laurel and Hardy short that would always make me laugh, or phoned or emailed a friend just to tell them how much they meant in my life. Don't make the same mistake that I did. I have not been able to write since January so no income, but the bills keep coming including some surprise medical bills. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the people here, the worry about all that has been taken care of. I continue to dream and so should all of you."

Thank you all for continuing to care about Jim.
Mark

 

[tarheelalum]

God Bless Jim.

 

[Hubbleo]

I just saw posted by another trusted Disney source and friend of Jim Korkis' that he passed away peacefully and unexpectedly today.

 

[robinb]

I just saw posted by another trusted Disney source and friend of Jim Korkis' that he passed away peacefully and unexpectedly today.

Lou Mongello just posted on the WDW Radio Clubhouse FB group. I am very sad. FWIW, I did contribute to his GoFundMe a couple of weeks ago. I follow Mark Goldhaber, who set it up, on social media from when Mark was more active.

 

[fla4fun]

This is so sad . That last post of his that Mark posted for him was so beautiful. My thoughts are with his friends and family. I am sorry for their loss.

 

[kristenrice]

So sorry to hear of Jim's passing...
...but thankful to know that he is now at peace.

 

[Tonyz]

Jesus… the Disney bad news keeps on coming.

Jim was an incredible storyteller who provided us more history of these parks than anyone. I am eternally grateful for his dedication to sharing the stories of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Rest easy, sir.

 

[bluecruiser]

I was sad to hear that Jim passed away. Here's what Mark Goldhaber posted:

JIM KORKIS UPDATE:

Friends, I am heartbroken to have to inform you that our friend Jim Korkis passed away this morning. He was unresponsive this morning at the rehab center and was transported to the hospital. His brother Mike was able to arrive a few minutes before Jim passed. While Jim could not respond, Mike said that Jim appeared to be able to hear him, and he was able to talk to Jim for those last few minutes.

Jim had been feeling good this week, and there really was no indication that things would take a turn for the worse. He did not appear to be in pain, and went quickly and quietly as he had wished.

There will be a memorial for Jim at a date and time to be determined. It will be held via Zoom so that those elsewhere in the US or overseas can attend. We'll publicize the details once it's set, but for now Mike needs to focus on taking care of the necessary details.

To those of you who contributed to this GoFundMe, THANK YOU! Your contributions and messages of support gave life and light to Jim over these last several weeks. He was astonished to see how many people loved him. The remaining balance will be used to help pay off his final medical bills.

As I get more information from Mike, I will share it. In the meantime, thank you all for your support.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[GAN]

I could listen to Jim’s stories all day and night and not be bored. Simply a one of a kind Disney encyclopedia. Really sad news ..blows me away.

 

[jockey]

Such sad news

 

[bluecruiser]

From The Walt Disney Family Museum:

Remembering Jim Korkis​

Posted on Wed, 08/09/2023 - 12:13​

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Disney historian Jim Korkis. Jim interviewed Diane Disney Miller many times for his projects, and Diane shared, "I have not hesitated to correspond with Jim whenever I think of something that might interest him, or to add some insights into something he has written about. Dad did not hide anything about his life."​

​

Jim contributed numerous insightful articles to the museum's blog and in 2014, presented a program on "How Walt Put a Man on the Moon." His generosity and invaluable knowledge and research of Walt Disney's life will be missed.​

​

As a tribute to his memory, we have compiled the many insightful blogs he contributed to the museum over the years in the hope that Jim's words and example will continue to inspire generations of Disney fans and historians.​

Links to the following articles by Jim Korkis are posted in the above article.

• The Best of Walt Disney's True-Life Adventures: Behind the Cameras
• Walt’s Onscreen Surrogate: Fred MacMurray
• Disneyland's Costumed Characters
• Moon Pilot: The Making of the Disney Classic
• Mickey’s Moveable Birthday
• Award-Winning Walt
• Forgotten Disney Heroines: The Disney Secretaries
• World War One Walt
• The Miniature Worlds of Walt
• Behind the Scenes: So Dear To My Heart
• Walt and the True-Life Adventures
• New Heights: A Matterhorn in the Anaheim Alps
• It’s What You Do With What You’ve Got

 

[PBB]

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim twice. The first time he was a “Friend of Merlin“ in front the Prince Charming‘s Carousel. I was pulled out of the crowd to be humiliated in front of the crowd and more important my family! I attempted to pull the sword from the stone. It didn’t budge…But this little kid got up there and was able to pull that sword out with hardly an effort at all! I personally believed it was rigged!

The 2nd time my wife and I were taking a tour of Old Key West. While the tour guide Was escorting us around, I recognized him from the photos on the back of his books that we had purchase. I asked him quietly Are you Jim? I figured he may want some privacy. That wasn’t the case. Another couple came up and introduced themselves. I chatted with him about Diane Disney Miller and their correspondence and friendship. He received an email from a email address that he didn’t recognize. In the correspondence, he was told that he was wrong about certain things in a recent article. Apparently, she was using her sons email address and finally admitted it and became friends. She had recently passed away. I didn‘t know that she had tragically fallen on the steps of her home.

We were fortunate that he shared his love Disney and his sense humor with us in his books. May he rest in peace!!