A Funeral and Celebration

Carolyn woke me up the other day around 2 am. She hadn't been able to sleep and had been on the Internet and visited our blog where she noticed a comment from a prior co-worker, Pike Oliver, that another co-worker, Jim Maloney, had passed away and his funeral was today. Jim was only 53 with a wife, Janet, and three children. Jim had had health problems over the years, but still he was relatively young.

I drove over to Fullerton from work and Carolyn joined me from home. I was amazed at the number of people who filled the sanctuary. Probably between 300 and 400 people came to celebrate his life. It was touching to hear his son Russ (20 years old) talk about his dad and the fun and chaos that would surround their camping trips. I found out that Jim was quite the outdoor cook with great BBQs or dutch oven cooking on camp outs. Friends and neighbors talked about his generosity, his inclusion of other kids as extensions of his own family, the way he coached baseball or taught kids how to surf and business associates spoke of his good mind and ability to sell anything.

After the five preplanned eulogies, comments were elicited from the audience. The last one spoke to the heart of the matter. Jim had had a heart issue about a year ago and on a business trip after his recovery, this gentleman asked Jim if he was certain of his destiny if he were to die. Jim said he thought so, but was asked if he wanted to know with certainty. It appears Jim accepted the Lord within months of his death.

I met numerous friends and associates from my years with Southwest Diversified and Interra before and after the service. Faces often recognized even with the graying of hair with names sometimes having to be elicited. It was good to re-acquaint ourselves and learn so many others are believers.

But, beyond renewed contacts, the conversations prompts me to seek out more opportunities to just be with others, to create memories, and to love those around us.