Gentleman Jim

This week the world has lost a truly loving, caring man. Those who knew him say, "Look in the dictionary under gentleman, and you'll see Jim's photo." Jim, while not a "blood relative," has been a special and trusted member of the family for longer than I have been on this earth. Dad and Jim spent their days together as kids. They've shared told - and as yet untold - adventures and escapades. Even well into their sunset years, they continued to share good times and adventures.

Jim's the kind of guy anyone could talk to and everyone loved. Quiet and unassuming, you might not notice Jim at first, sitting on the sofa minding his own business. But if you sat down next to him, you'd soon be engaged in any range of conversational topics. Well read, Jim could hold his own on any topic. Yankee bred, you'd be sure to have heard a rather conservative viewpoint. Never in all my years did I ever hear him raise his voice to any one or anything. But that doesn't mean he was without passion.

Jim often came off as serious, and his joking nature might catch you off guard. He could give as well as take all manner of good-natured ribbing. His dry wit sometimes made you think twice about what he was really saying. My favorite was when he thought he'd pull a fast one on Sh one summer at the beach. She was visiting Jim with her grandparents 4th of July weekend. Jim "convinced" Sh that she should take up a collection of all the people gathered to watch the free fireworks. She knew he was joking, but she decided to take the joke one step further and actually got a can and made like she was going to set out for donations. Jim loved kids (and vice versa) and didn't quite know how to let her know he was pulling her leg for fear of hurting her feelings. He was really nervous about the whole thing, and to hear him tell the story, he was in a quandry and didn't know what he was going to do with her. He laughed hardest of all when he realized the joke was actually on him and that she had turned it around on him - and he loved telling the story on himself.

Jim loved animals, particularly dogs, and my kids always knew him not as "Jim" but as "JimandCasey." Jim loved and cared for Casey in the very best manner, going to great lengths to ensure Casey had a proper burial. When Casey passed away not long ago, he seemed to take a piece of Jim with him. Jim had many dog friends throughout his life, but Casey clearly held the highest honored spot.

Like the Gentleman he always was, Jim passed quickly and quietly to be with God, with great honor and dignity. He did not fear his passing and expressed remorse only in that he might be leaving us to "clean up after him" in any business matters. I have no doubt he is enjoying his rewards in Heaven and that those rewards are great.

We love you and Miss you, Gentleman Jim.