There are not many staffers still at the SR who have Jim DeFede stories. Just as well, perhaps. A lot of those stories were hard to believe back in the day. And 25 years later, I suspect they would sound like even more like outlandish exaggerations now.

The guy had a big personality. He liked being the center of attention but you didn't resent him for it. And he was smart.

I didn't know him well, but I liked him.

If you ever find yourself spending time with Jess Walter and sense that he is tired of being asked about the life of a big-deal novelist, ask him to tell you a few Jim DeFede stories.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/national/29miami.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://miami.cbslocal.com/personality/jim-defede/

http://miami.cbslocal.com/show/news-views/

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