On February 8th, my sweet Uncle Jim joined many of our other family members in heaven. The idea of heaven brings me great comfort when a loved one dies. I picture my grandma, my father, Uncle Bob, Uncle Dick, Aunt Kay, Aunt Margie and now Uncle Jim sitting around my grandma's dining room table as they did so many times here on earth. Uncle Jim was one of a kind. He was a kind, gentle, sweet soul. He did so much for others and continued to right up until the end. He worked with the homeless, he volunteered in the elementary school and helped children with reading, he was always there when help was needed at church. He gave so much of himself and asked for nothing in return. He was a true Christian. His memorial service was wonderful tribute to the man he was. As the minister said over and over again, he was an encourager. He always had a kind word for everyone he met. He took a true interest in people. I have so many memories of Uncle Jim. I wouldn't even know where to start. I remember when I was 16 and had just gotten my license. I was down at their house in Cincinnati (where I spent alot of time in the summers) and my cousin Cathy and I wanted to go to the pool. Uncle Jim gave me permission to take his gold Ford Torino and what did I do? I scraped it on the garage. I was so upset but Uncle Jim didn't even bat an eye. "Accidents happen" he said. When I worked for Great-West Life in the 90s, I spent alot of time in Cincinnati and Northern KY and instead of staying in a hotel, I would stay with Uncle Jim and Aunt Margie. It was always nice to have a home to go to at the end of a long day rather than a lonely hotel room. Aunt Margie went to bed fairly early and Uncle Jim was a night owl like me so on my occasions, we would sit and watch TV in comfortable silence or we would talk about books. We both loved John Sandford books-he writes about a detective named Lucas Davenport and all the book titles have the word "Prey" in them. I think of Uncle Jim every time a new one comes out. We vacationed together, we spent holidays together, we were family together.
With each death, we lose one more member of an entire generation. The end of an era. My cousins and I are now considered the older generation. sigh........
Rest in peace Uncle Jim. I love you.
Dad and Uncle Jim 1968
Dad, cousin Alan and Uncle Jim
My cousin Jim and Uncle Jim, 3 days before he died
