Goodbye, JK

His death rocked the news and broadcast community throughout Northern Nevada. JK Metzker died November 13th after being struck by a vehicle while crossing North Virginia late Saturday.

He was only 41-years old and a father of three young boys.

The news practically shattered the staff of KTVN, where he was Sports Director. The TV station cancelled that evenings newscast — finding as Weatherman Mike Alger said — “it’s jus’ too hard for any of us here at Channel 2 News to focus on the work that it takes to produce a newscast.”

My co-worker Landon Miller, who interned at KTVN for several months, was visibly shaken the evening of JK’s death. He invited me and my friend Kay to accompany him to JK’s funeral, not wanting to go all by himself.

I’ve found funerals and memorial services affect people this at sometimes.

Services were held in the beautiful Our Lady of Snows church in Reno, where it was literally standing room only.  It’s the same Catholic church where JK and his wife, Jaimie exchanged vows in 1989.

The friends and family members who stood and spoke on behalf of JK, told of a man who had a strong sense of family and self, a solid work ethic and a wickedly quick sense of humor. Some of the tales relieved those gathered of their tears — at least momentarily — as they enjoyed a laugh.   

His passing serves to remind me to appreciate the people in my life — and to tell them how much I DO appreciate them..