My old friend Frank James has long been one of America’s favorite gun writers. His honest warts-and-all evaluations of new firearms won the hearts of firearms enthusiasts even as they pissed off certain manufacturers. He brought the same straightforward approach to his TV gun shows, “Gallery of Guns” on The Sportsman Channel and “Gun Stories” on The Outdoor Channel.
I learned from one of my favorite bloggers, Tamara Keel at View from the Porch, that Frank had been felled by a severe stroke in late January. Thanks to brother writers Rich Grassi and Walt Rauch, I discovered that he was recovering in one of the world’s best rehabilitation clinics, and was able to adjust the schedule and fly there for a quick visit.
Happily, I can report that Brother Frank is still very much with us, still with a strong gun hand and working on getting the other hand back up and running. The stroke damn near killed him, but he’s walking better than expected and exceeding the requirements of physical therapy every day. He wants to express his thanks for the volunteer emergency rescue team that saved his life, and for the rehab nurses he calls “angels with bedpans.”
Best of all, his incisive mind remains intact. One friend told him, “You sound like the old Frank, with a cold.” Hell, talking with him at the clinic, I couldn’t even detect the “cold” part. You’ll be able to catch Frank on “Gun Stories” toward the end of July, because he recorded his segments prior to the stroke, but the medical crisis forced him to miss “Gallery of Guns” this season. Expect him back next season though!
Frank wants to remind all y’all to closely monitor high blood pressure if you have it, take your meds religiously, and dial 9-1-1 at the first hint of stroke symptoms. He doesn’t want others to go through what he did. He’ll soon be transferring to a rehab center closer to home, so his lovely wife of 37 years won’t have to travel three hours each way to visit him.
“I’m going to beat this,” he says resolutely.
I know the man. With his determination and strength of character, I think he’s going to beat it, too.
You are all invited to post your good wishes to Frank in the comments section here, and I’ll see that they get to him, sorta like a cybernetic get-well card.
Frank James is an inspiration to us all.
God bless and give ’em hell Frank. We have you and yours in our thoughts and prayers.
Another long-time reader here, hoping you’ll be up and around as soon as possible. Live long and prosper!
“I need somebody crazy enough to hunt Hogs, at night, with a suppressed AR15.” So God made Farmer Frank.
LONGtime fan here, Frank. Sorry to hear of your stroke. Keep up the good fight, which it appears you are winning!
Best wishes to you, Frank. Praying for your healing.
Looking forward to more .41 Magnum articles from Mr. James – I grew up a little piece down the road from him and always appreciate the sensible intelligence of his writings. God bless you, Frank, and grant you a fast and satisfying recovery.
Frank,
Best wishes from me a some of the gang from the Reinholt range from years past. Kick its ass , are good times yet to be had shoot’en and evening meals to be ejoyed with good company. Get well soon.
To quote Mr. Jim,,,,,,,, KEEP’EM IN THE MIDDLE.
Keep on kicking that old devil, and do a test on my .50/.460 Steyr in a few months. I’m still promising you first crack at it. Best wishes to you and to all the good folks around you. Ed.
Frank, I’m a long-time fan, and I’m not through reading your stuff, so get wall dadgummit! God bless you and heal you quick.
Oops. Make that “get well.” Where’s my editor….
Wow, if a picture is worth a thousand words, every one of them from this photo radiates determination and strength. May you leave your docs baffled about how such a rapid recovery could be possible. 🙂
Damn it! I was hoping to buy him a drink in Indy this year! Well, as long as he can get to his Revolvers, he should be okay.
And I would NOT want to be the person who tried to keep him from his Weapons!
Take Care, Frank.
Great news. Get well Frank and kick ass in rehab!!
Thanks Mas.
Great news! Best wishes for a complete and timely recovery, Frank!
Well Frank,
I hear tell you’re tougher than ole shoe leather, meaner than a junk yard dog and can nail a gnat sit’un on the side of a barn from a hunerd yards away. Now I don’t know you personally, but I believe it cause it comes from some reliable sources. So get well quick and get back to do’un what you do best. You’re missed out in the real world.
Here’s prayers for a speedy and complete recovery. God Bless!!!
Ward
I’ve never met you but began reading your articles decades ago. Have always appreciated what you had to share with us, and we expect you to continue! Our whole family sends heartfelt prayers and best! God Bless!
Frank
Mas told us you could use some support.
Hope thecomments you are getting will encourage you to get well.
I’m praying you will recover completely.
Hang in there.
Here’s wishing you a complete recovery that continues to amaze the medical folks!
Get well soon Frank,
and hurry back, we miss ya.
Frank we have never met but believe me we are old friends. Get well soon, all the best.
Mr. James hope and pray for your full recovery. You have brought m tons of enjoyment watching and reading your stuff. Tell the nurses that after breakfast and a sponge bath you would like a spritz of Hoppes #9 as air freshener ! Get well soon.
Frank has been gracious enough to let me hunt deer on his property, sleeping in the farm house that he grew up in. The last picture of him I have in my mind’s eye is riding a four wheeler full tilt across some of his property, his hat trying to fly off, like Indiana Jones.
A few posts back at HOTR there’s a photo of a ground blind I used there, and I hope he saw it and could smile.
I can’t see him as anything but strong enough to beat this Give him my best and his wife as well.
Brigid
Be well & recover. We need you
You are hanging tough, as expected. As you would say,” all the best” !!
Dear Tam,
I am not the toughest dude you ever met, but thank you for your comment. I am not a Navy Seal. The fact of the matter is I wasn’t tough enough to fight in Vietnam or peel potatoes in the U.S. Army on KP duty. I know you have chronologued all my recent injuries; including two shoulder surguries, five retina surguries, and the time I crushed the end of my trigger finger. (Thank God I’m a gun writer and never wrote for Playboy or Penthouse). I will be leaving the Chicago Rehab Institute on the 18th of April. I have mixed feelings about it because I really love these people. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts, prayers and good wishes.
Wondered where you were! Please, out of bed and up and at ’em soon! It’ll be a comfort to us all to hear that you’re well.
Keep up the hard work, Frank. It will pay off. I’m glad you have a wonderful woman at your side. See you on the tube next year.
Read your stuff for years. Best wishes and hope you’re back to your normal self soon.
Praying for your complete recovery Brother Frank.
Mr James,
I’ve enjoyed your articles for years. My best wishes on your speedy recovery!
had not heard. I hope by now you are well on your way to a complete recover. Get back to doing what you do best. Writing about guns.
Frank, just found out. Hope your health has improved. You remain in my prayers
Visited Frank yesterday and he’s working HARD at rehab…and I agree with Massad…Frank will be back! He’s a “special Hoosier” with a GREAT attitude.