"The First Hundred Years Are The Hardest"
Jim was a father above everything, nurturing five children through his unwavering commitment to fatherhood. He was equally devoted as a husband, never allowing any aspect of his family to come second.
Jim's presence felt like warmth in a room. He greeted everyone with a smile and spoke to everyone. Strangers, familiar faces, they all got his charm and comforting presence the same. Jim had an infectious energy.
Jim also had an infectious sense of optimism. He would use phrases like "ain't nothing to-it but to do-it" and "there is always a way" in the moments that it felt like you needed to hear it the most. Even in more recent occasions where his health wasn't the greatest, he would say "Well, they say the first 100 years are the hardest..." The beliefs that Jim had were never half held; he embraced them with his whole heart.
Outside of his family, Jim also loved to teach. Watching him teach was like watching a fish swim, or a bird fly. His informal lessons would cover a wide range of topics. From car maintenance, to racing pigeons, to defensive driving, he was a source for information. And while sharing information with you he would remind you that knowledge was power.
In the Army, his formal lessons were about discipline...and survival. Training young soldiers to survive in combat was one of the many things he was the most passionate about.
Of all the lessons that he gave, the ones that probably had the biggest impact were those that he taught by example. He encouraged others to never stop learning, to love-on your family, to apologize when you're wrong, and to evolve in your perception of the world as you mature in life. All things that Jim imparted through his own actions.
Jim received lessons as well. He studied the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and was baptized in 2009. Jim served Jehovah until he left us.
If you've ever heard him tell a joke,
if you've ever heard him tell a story,
if he's ever taught you anything or shared information with you,
if he's ever smiled in your direction or if you've ever felt one of his hugs,
You've Felt His Love.
