Thursday, February 18, 2021
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Message sent to the LHS Class of 1967:
As we all know, there was not a more decent, gentle man than Jim. He did not have a mean bone in his body, was always upbeat and caring. He always was thinking of the other person -- we couldn’t have a conversation without him telling me (over and over) how happy he was that I had found love – and how I had to make sure Laurie knew it.
Jimmy and Benny Foster (who I still think is in witness protection somewhere) joined us the first day of eight grade – who would have thought they would be our football team captains four years later. We all had an instant connection to Jim and made him spell his name for us until we all had memorized it. I keep a photograph in my office that Howie Kliman took of Jimmy scoring the winning touchdown against Fort Lee our senior year and another of Jimmy, Alan, Hank and Ricky and me when we visited Washington a couple of years ago.
At Texas A&M, Jim was one of the very few from LHS who was offered a Division I football scholarship and he always considered himself an Aggie. I reached out to the A&M football office to let them know of Jim’s passing and to please let Coach Stallings know -- since they had remained friends since the 1970s.
When Jimmy called me a to tell me that Micky Janelli had died, I felt the same type of void. Even though I had not seen Micky in over 40 years, I felt we all had that connection to LHS and it had a significant input in wanting to help put our reunion together. I am so glad we had the chance to reunite for our 50th – many of you might not have known that Jimmy had significant medical issues at that time, but there was no way he was going to miss seeing you all. Luckily, we got to see a lot of Jimmy the last few years and loved his story telling and love of life.
It may not be my place to eulogize Jim and writing these few words helps with the grief. I honestly can say that, in all my travels, I never met a more genuine, loving person. My heart is broken and I will always keep my brother Jim in my memories.
Stuart
