I remember the first time I was to meet Jim. I was 21. I was terrified. On the drive to his house, I kept worrying about whether he would like me, what he would think about me. I never had much experience with military families and in my head, I imagined Jim as this very strict military man, someone who was always serious.
I was wrong. When I first met him, sure, he seemed a little bit quiet, but he was incredibly sweet - gracious and friendly. And over the next 16 years, I realized how he was the complete opposite of what I had imagined he might be like.
Jim always made me feel welcome. In fact, we spent a lot of time at the kitchen table talking. This is where I learned the most about him, about his life in West Virginia, about his successes outbidding people on ebay, about how he could fix this or that in the house by just researching the information. I loved our talks.
I loved how he always affectionately called Kaoru "the wife" while tilting his head in her direction.
I loved how he moved his fingers as if he was typing when he said, "I just got on the computer and...dut dut dut dut dut"
I loved how Jim would shake his head and walk away, embarrassed, when Kaoru told me how Jim would get crazy with his friends while singing karaoke.
Jim was also known for being a saavy consumer. He made sure to research products from every possible angle to ensure the best deal before he actually purchased it. Any time Ken and I were unsure about a particular purchase, Ken would say, "Let me ask my Dad." We always knew we could count on him to know the answer…or to find out the answer.
There are so many memories that I have of Jim, but the ones I cherish the most are the ones of him with his grandchildren. He was a hands-on kind of grandfather - the kind that sat on the floor right next to them, the kind that lifted them up to show them the view from where he stood - way up high- the kind that shared his recliner and snuggled with them, the kind that could be heard giggling with them - their squeals of laughter mixed with his boyish laugh.
Jim was a concerned parent, a thoughtful father-in-law, and a doting grandfather. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. We will miss his guidance, his advice, and his love.
