Eulogy November 29, 2024
I chose “Celebration of Life” for the bulletins today. It sounds more cheerful and James would have liked that. However, a rose by any other name…. We’re saying goodbye to someone we loved. Someone that touched our lives in many ways. Someone who was there for everyone. A friend, a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a dad, a grandfather, a cousin. Regardless of your relationship with James, I have no doubt that he gave you something. Perhaps something tangible, but without a doubt he showed you respect and absolutely no doubt, he gave you a few laughs. His acts of love and generosity were great. I’ve seen him quietly help pay unexpected funeral cost, sponsor my grandkid’s sport’s teams, hug and shove money into someone’s hands, and rush to help a friend in need. I had several people message me upon hearing of James’ passing. One shared about his coming into the bank and he would stay and share stories and laughter. Someone from a business he frequented shared how he’d come in and buy lunch for all the gals. I, myself, would call with questions so he could “diagnose” and help me two states away. He rushed to a friend’s home at 4:30 in the morning when a car ran into their home. If you knew James, you had someone in your corner. James loved people. He would vacillate between tales of greatness about himself to a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor. An ongoing joke he had with my kids was that “everyone in Jasper knew James Henderson”. On a particular vacation, we travelled here and James travelled up from Florida where he continued those flashy stories about himself. We stopped at a gas station getting snacks and my son asks a complete stranger “do you know James Henderson?” As we all laughed. The young man says “yeah he’s my cousin”. It indeed was a cousin. I’m not sure that’s a testament to how well he’s known, but perhaps how prolific our family is. One of his favorite jokes though was how he would share, while rubbing his belly, that a huge belly was a sign of success. I can’t share everyone that James loved because we’d be here all evening. James loved people. However his most fulfilling role in life was being a father and a grandfather. Shane, he was utmost proud of you. James would tell you that he had a good life and he’d also say he lived it in his terms. He was flawed, as we all are. He had weaknesses as we all do. None of that changes the fact that he loved big and he lived big. In we can honor his memory, let it be by remembering the goodness of his heart and the laughter in those eyes. Sent hesitate to tell your loved ones that they are loved. Be there for your neighbor, your family, and others that are in need. Say I love you. And one last thought, which is not original, but when I read this, I thought how perfect it was for today. “A life that touches others goes on forever.” So, on that note, let him shine bright in your heart and your memory during this Christmas season (his favorite holiday). Remember to care, to forgive, and to love. We will always remember you, our dearest dearest James.