I first met James...

 

I met James in Acct 201 in the Fall of 1997. We were assigned to a group project together. The first thing I ever heard him say was "well, anyone have any ideas on what we should do?" Granted a common phrase, especially to a bunch of freshman with absolutely no clue about what they were doing. But what caught my attention was not that James asked the question, but how he asked the question. I noticed immediately that James was the type of person who could leave a lasting impression on a total stranger without effort; and that is precisely what he did.

 

Memorable moments...

 

Anyone that knew James, either in passing or in a well founded friendship, knew one thing about him: James had a gift for lightening up a situation. In school, no matter how stressed we became in trying to manage our schedules, studying for exams, etc, James could be relied upon to break the tension and bring everything into perspective with this quick smile he had. It is difficult to articulate this gift in manner worthy of how James executed it, but he could go from a straight face to this corky smile in a blink. Albeit goofy in nature and well worthy of a laugh, which was usually the immediate response from those involved, James was notorious for dropping this smile whenever the situation became intolerable; whether it be in studying for some ridiculous test or fighting the urge to belt a Mexican cook who made me a "hair'ne asada burrito" or trying to sleep in a wind tunnel during our whitewater rafting trip, there was just something about it that was calming. For me, James' spirit emanated from that smile..to me, this smile is who he was..compassionate, honest, well intended, and trustworthy.

 

Forever in our hearts...

 

Your departure was too soon, but you were called to be with the One that created you and for reasons that our mortal minds cannot fathom. Those that have loved you will remember you for all that you were and for all of those whom you touched, we will always have the memory of your smile.

 

Love,

 

Will

 

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