Here is an update from my debacle...
I was finally able to create my own jig and force the phone into download mode, half way through loading up the stock kernel, with the proper Odin program, it some how failed and bricked the phone for good... the jig didn't work the second time.
Good news is that Big Red sent me out no-charge replacement... I have been a little gun shy about rooting this new one... so I am impatiently waiting for them to get us the official upgrade.
Thankfully I only signed on for a 1 year contract, at which point I may be saying goodbye for good to any samsung product that needs any kind of updating..