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In the Navy, he was a sailor aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wright CVL 49. He worked on the flight deck as part of the gas crew, listed as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. His reaction to that was that it was so much fun. Typical of his nature. One of his shipmates eventually became his brother in law, and now they are together, sharing stories and watching out for us all.
He lived well and appreciated even the little things some do not take the time to notice. The detail of a fishing lure, the aura of sunlight on a tree, or the grain flow on a piece of wood. He didn't have hobbies, those are just activities that someone piddles with in their spare time... No, he had passions. If he was going to spend his time doing something, it was going to be done to perfection with every detail carefully examined and accounted for.
He lived his life with no expectations from anyone other than they try to live their lives honestly, as he did. If you talked to him about a problem, he could always cut right to the heart of it with direct and simple advice, “Don’t worry about what you can’t control, and focus on what you can.” Some knew him as “Sweet Jim”, which he attributed to his sometimes ornery moods, but the truth is, “Sweet Jim”, as tough as he was, really could not cover up his generous and happy nature for long. He loved us all.
We know he is already in paradise, and we know that his spirit will live on forever in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The world is a better place for having had him in it. We love you.