To James Scarlett’s friends and family.

As I look at my year ahead, I am saddened that a few weeks of my year that have always included James for the last 20 years, will no longer be blessed with James’ presence. James had a major impact on my life in many ways, and as the year of his passing comes to end, I wanted to take a moment to reflect. Although James and his company were and are a major competitor of mine, we had been great friends since the first time that we met. While we have had our disagreements over the nearly 20 years that I have had the privilege to do business and enjoy fun activities with James, he had a magic touch of easing difficult feelings and finding the positives in any situation. It really was a miraculous god given talent that I am sure that he also worked on continuously. Even before James’ untimely death, there were often times when I had difficult decisions to make and at times I would ask myself, “I wonder what James would do in this situation”.   Many times I would pick up the phone and ask James just that. As Gordon Burdes pointed out, James would always give the item at hand some thought, and respond with the exact right answer, usually the simplest, and often a humorous comment to go along with it that helped put the whole matter in perspective. That pause is also something that I have tried to incorporate in my life, and there have been many times after his passing that James was in my thoughts when I pause and asked for the right thought or action to come. When I ask myself “I wonder what James would have done?”, often the correct answer comes. I like to think that this is James looking down and continuing to bless us with his emotional stability in times of turbulence.

Although I believe I had known James since we were young through our parents, the first I remember speaking to him at length was at the first Wood Industry Conference in Hawaii in 2006 that we both attended as “official” employees of our respective companies. Years later we joked how we were fooled into thinking that this was the majority of our parents’ work in the business, hanging out at tropical resorts and partying it up. There were very few WIC meetings that James or I ever missed, along with several trade shows, the woodworking skiing event, and other vendor trainings that I would get to see James throughout the year. I have fond memories of James and I on the board of director’s trips to New Orleans and I believe San Antonio that we were able to find some mischief while strengthening a bond that was very strong until the day he passed. There was a moment that we shared at an IMTS show that I will never forget, something that I was able to pass on to both his brothers that I would like to share with others just how much impact James’ words could have. The year was probably 2010, and I had been complaining to James about my brother staying out into the late hours of the night waking me in my sleep and I directed a rude comment towards my brother as he approached James and I asking James how he dealt with working with an idiot brother. James looked right at me and said to my brother and I “both of my brothers are smarter than I am, and I love them both very much. I may not agree with everything they say or do, but they are far from idiots”. From that moment on, I realized how selfish and unkind to my brother I had been. I will always be thankful to James for diffusing a tense situation and showing me the way to kindness and love that was so natural for him. I often leaned on James in regard to issues with family and business, he always had kind and thoughtful advice.

My final memory of James is at the WIC meeting in St Petersburg, Florida the night before the accident. Just before dinner, there was a man and a woman rolling cigars and setting them on the table. James saw me standing there watching them and came over and said, “we are paying a lot of money for that, so everyone is only allowed to have one cigar”. He was able to say that with such a straight face that I believed him whole heartedly, he was the current Chairman of the organization after all, so I only took 1 cigar with me. It was only when I opened my suitcase a few days later at home and saw the cigar laying there that I realized that James was yanking my chain one last time in a way that only James could. James, may God bless your family with pleasant memories of you, I look forward to the day that we meet again.

I take for granted seeing my industry friends so many times over the years. Seeing James has been a yearly if not quarterly thing for as long as I can remember, and before that same goes for Jim. So many trips to Germany and the Carolina's I can't count. We do the same thing and we share the same goals. Family, business, and mentoring those around us in ways we know how. 

I am at a loss for words even now, so many days after his passing. I pray that the family remembers all that James stood for and all that he will always be in our hearts. A great guy who had so much left to give. I hope they find comfort and peace during this time. God bless.

My prayers will be lifted up daily for Amanda and the boys, the entire Scarlett Family and Scarlett Inc. team.  I have always enjoyed the time I got to spend with James and he will be greatly missed.

Scotty Redmond, Redmond Machinery 

We are friends of Jim and Bonnie.  They have always spoken of all their children and grandchildren with such love and admiration.  It is clear that Jamie  (as they called him),  has touched so many people with his caring heart.  We pray that hearing all the outpouring of love and respect for Jamie will bring  comfort and support to every family member at this extremely sad time.  

With love and prayers, Rick and Marie Wackenhut

To all of the Scarlett family and to everyone at Scarlett Machinery, we want to extend our sincerest condolences to each and everyone of you. It was a pleasure knowing James. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. 

Richard and Henry Yoder

Our deepest condolences to the Scarlett family and to everyone that loves James. For anyone that knew him, it didn’t take long to see why he had such a positive impact on those around him. Anytime you lose a beautiful soul (from this world) it is a loss for us all.

Our hearts are with the entire Scarlett family at this time.

From the Board and Staff of AWFS

From the West Coast...there was mention in James' Obit that he took time to mentor other people. My son, Jacob just started in the business last June. The last two times we saw James, at WIC and at a Weinig meeting, James took his own time and gave Jacob some insight on what it takes to be successful in this business. 

Thank you my friend!

Jeff Maguire

To: James Family

First my sympathy to your family. Heartbreaking, Numb, Someone missing in action that will be greatly missed. I have so many good memories of James on the hunt we did with James, Bob, Chris and myself. One thing I will always treasure is the knife he bought me for the hunt. Now it becomes a treasure that I can think about him and what he did for us every time we use it. James is the one that got an elk on the hunt so even then God was letting him experience the success of a hunt as he knew he would be called home early in life. Why we do not know but we must trust God  and rely on him in the days, weeks and years to come. I just do not know what to say but pray that God will be with you always!!! May his spirit comfort you going forward,

Devon Hochstetler

Sincere Condolences to Amanda and the Scarlett Family.

James had an ability to bring people together and add excitement to a day.   He mixed professionalism with play and was a significant asset to (& driver of) the industry.    We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside him.