Left us quietly in the very wee hours of the morning. Quiet was not exactly his style in life. Over the past months, slow and quietly had become a forced life for dad. Not something a man like dad felt good about. When first diagnosed with cancer, and even through Christmas, he tried hard to remain upbeat for us all. He let a few of us know, in private moments he was weary, tired and felt no quality of life anymore. Sitting on bedside, the Sunday before Christmas, my heart broke when he was talking to me about mom. My heart broke cause I knew then, with the request he asked of me, he was ready when called to go.

A stubborn man, who's attitude and ways would often have you walking off shaking your head, laughing under your breath. A part of dad we will miss so much. Not one to sit around the house. Always working on this or that, planning this and that down to the very last intimate detail even when it came to hanging a picture on the wall. Often I've said, I get some of my ways from my grandmother, now wondering if some of my perfectionism isn't from the years of how dad did things.

Mom, my brother and myself are not Catholic. Dad and his daughters, (our step sisters) are. His service was a Catholic-Military Service. I'd never been to a Catholic service. The most beautiful, and understandable service I've ever witnessed. Truly amazed in tears, I felt the celebration of a life he now has.

Before cancer, dad enjoyed a beer. The deck or garage, we would sit, have a beer and shoot the bull. He had said, after this last procedure he had, didn't matter the outcome, he was having a beer. We all gave him what he wanted, and tucked a beer in with him. A few of us, joined on the deck, had a beer toasting to Jim, a unique man, who's love and passion for us, his family, his friends, will see us through.






Our family and myself would like to Thank all for your prayers, cards and thoughts over the past months. The Brevement Book was set up for us by my web sisters. Thank you Dames and Ladies of the Myst. Thank you all for being there, sending cards and warm wishes. It meant a lot to dad, to us all. Thank you.



Artwork "The Invitation"
Used with Permission
Danny Hahlbohm


Floral tubes and guestbook tube
are from Graphic Galore

Design and made by
Blutriste ©2002