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.

Frank James

1 COMMENT

  3. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery to Frank and his entire family ( because this major an event doesn’t just affect the victim ) .

  4. 100% agreement on Frank’s great contribution to the shooting sports, with his no-b.s. opinions that were based on facts and observations.

    Frank, I wish you all the best in your recovery. You’ll be in my prayers. You’re one of the good guys.

    Bob

  6. Tell Frank we’re pulling for him…

    And for everyone else, if you’re over 50, you need to decide what you want done if you have a stroke. Besides being painful and degrading, you can wind up dead… or worse, not dead.

    My Dad had a fairly bad one, made a full recovery… then had a series of smaller strokes that robbed him of his dignity, his mind, and eventually the ability to live without artificial support. I’d pressed him to make a living will right after the first stroke, but he didn’t want to think about it. And then the next stroke happened, and it was too late.

    I wound up having to be the one who signed the papers to take him off life support. It was what he asked for in his last coherent words, but it was a hard thing to do.

    You can find living will documents online, or some banks provide such things as a service, or you can have a lawyer do it for a nominal fee. It’s pretty straightforward. If you don’t make your wishes known, someone else is going to have to make the decision for you, and it might not be the decision you want.

  7. 🙂 Get well soon Frank! Evan though I don’t know you, from what Mas has said you are a great man! I will give a prayer for you tonight. K

  10. I wish you well, with your Rehab., and recovery, Mr. James.

    I am now 78 years old, andfour months out a quadruple lower spinal fusion, and battling the same problems that all patients must go through.

    Good Luck, and thanks for your long, and fruitful, writing career too.

    Paul

  13. Six years ago I came within a hair of having the same thing happen to me. Luckily a good doctor brought me back from the edge and now I keep a very close eye on the BP which peaked at 240/120. Heal quickly Mr. James, we’re pulling for you.

  14. Keeping you, Mr. James, and you’re family in our prayers. Sending you all the Best, and looking forward to you’re return.

  15. Mas,
    Please pass our best wishes and prayer along to Frank. Attitude is everything when dealing with these sorts of challenges and so Frank is well prepared to beat this one into early submission. We all look forward to seeing him again soon on GOG.

  18. I read his articles and his blog for years. Really miss the blog. I liked his honesty and no nonsense attitude. If Frank says he’ll beat this thing it means he’ll pound the hell out of it.Get well, Frank, and best wishes to you and family.

  20. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Mr. James. I always enjoyed your blog and hope to see you back writing soon.

  21. You go, brother Frank! Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Thanks for all of the knowledge and entertainment all rolled-up into one! I look forward to what is to come.

  25. Hang there Frank and Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. Good thoughts and Prayers for you and your family.

  27. Frank, you and your family are in my prayers. I hope you enjoy a short and total recovery. I know that a man of your character, is going to bounce back and be good as new in no time.

    God’s Speed.

    I look forward to seeing you on my TV screen soon.

  28. Frank, you’ve been in my thoughts since I heard the news. We miss you down in Indy and look forward to your recovery!

  29. Frank I have never meet you personaly but it seem like I have know you for a long time watching you on TV every week. Take it easy for awhile because we want to see you back on TV. Just got through send up a pray for you. Get well soon.

  31. Thanks Mas (and Tam). Been worried about Farmer Frank since I heard about his stroke. Good to know he’s handling it with his usual strength and personal spirit.

    Frank, bet you’re double glad you got out of the active tractor-piloting bidness, as it’s rapidly becoming time to get out there and stir that dirt. This year, someone else can do it and you can “supervise” as needed. Speedy recovery is indicated.

    🙂

  32. As an EMT for over 20 years I’ve seen a lot.

    You should be able to recognize the signs & symptoms because there are drugs they can only give within a short time of onset.

    http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp#

    Monrovia Prehospital Stroke Scale

    •Facial droop – Ask them to smile
    – Both sides of face move equally

    •Grip Strength – Should be equal & bilateral (have them squeeze your hands)

    •Arm drift c eyes closed – have them extend their arms straight out in front of them and close their eyes
    – Both arms move equally or not at all is normal

    •Speech – Say “no if’s ands or buts”
    – Slurring is abnormal

    One of findings as a new event have a high probability of an ischemic stroke, so CALL AN AMBULANCE

  33. I spoke to Frank not long ago and he sounded like he had a cold to me too. He also sounded tough as nails, just like the Frank I know. Thank you for posting this. I adore that man and we really miss him on the show this year, but all know that he’ll be back soon. God bless you Frank and everyone please continue to pray for this wonderful man.

    Anne-Marie
    Host of Gallery of Guns

  34. Glad to hear the good news! Frank is a great guy, and one helluva writer. Thoughts and prayers continue.

  35. Always love talking guns and race cars with Frank. His cackling laugh is so darned infectious. Had a buddy who went through the same thing, took him quite a while but he was back walking smoothly, talking well and working hard. No doubt that Frank will be the poster boy for the rehab folks.

  36. Have read the man for years and I am glad he is still among the living. If anyone can beat a stroke, he can. Look forward to watching his Gallery of Guns next season.

  38. We’re all pulling for you to have a quick recovery. I still check your blog daily “just in case” for an update. You’re an inspiration to us all.

  41. I am very grateful for all that Frank and Mas share with us fellow gun lovers. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Frank. Can’t wait to see you on TV. God bless.

  42. Like so many I’ve enjoyed Mr. James’ work over the years. Wishing him a complete and speedy recovery!

  44. Mas,
    thank you for this update. I’ve been checking Frank’s blog, hoping for some signs of life, so to speak. Not hearing anything after the initial reports of the stroke, and early hospitalization, has been worrying. Never occurred to me that he would be in a medical facility to optimize the recovery. Which sounds as if it is going well, I’m glad to hear.

    Is there some sort of mailing address available for Frank? I’ve got a few aircraft mags, on his favorite warbird, that I’d like to send him.

  45. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.
    We need all the “good guys” we have and can’t spare a one of you .

  47. A speedy recovery to your Mr. James. I was readint your excellent article on the 41 Magnum in the 2013 Gund Digest last night. Made me want to keep an eye out for one in the local shops.

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