Distant Thunder/James M Kluskens

[Kevin Alexander]

I have 53 e-mails from Jim starting in March of 2021 until now. His 1st email was asking if I would like to shoot with him at the spring Lodi match in May of 2021. I made the 8 hour trip and met him for the 1st time that May weekend, and it was my 1st ever Creedmoor match. I knew of him from past forum discussions and of the business he ran. I had even purchased some things from him. I was very excited to meet him and try my hand at the long range game with a BPCR and paper patched bullets. To lay down on the mat for the 1st time and to try to shoot 1000 yards is very intimidating, anyway it was for me. Jim made me feel comfortable and had given me excellent advice for weeks prior to the match. He really enjoyed helping someone to learn to shoot long range. A person who has shot 1000 yards in a Creedmoor match will never forget when his spotter says "X" for the 1st time. For me, that spotter was Jim Kluskens and my look of astonishment was changed to a look of joy when he said that to me, and as I turned to look at him and he was ginning that big Jim smile and he said lets get another one, and I did. I was high score at 1000 yards that day which I owe mostly to Jim. I shot well all weekend and came home with the joy of learning a new shooting discipline and making a great friend. I had the privilege to shoot with him again just a few weeks ago up at Lodi. We had a blast. My prayers go out to his family and close shooting friends, we have truly lost 1 of the Legends from Lodi.

KA