Richard E Luther
To Carolyn, and family
I was shocked when I discovered that Jim has passed away. The past few years Jim and I weren't able to keep in touch with one another due to both of us having serious illness's.
I have so many memories of Jim, how even though the last time I saw Jim I was about 72 he still called me "Kid". That was what he named me from the day I met him, when I was 14.
So many fond memories, so many story's, so much history. I remember how much my Mother loved Jim. How he could get her, with just that smile of his, to do anything. That way with my mother that Jim had kept me out of so much trouble. Jim taught me so much, and I loved him like the big brother I never had. I guess we all have regrets, and one of mine is how little I did to keep our relationship close.
I can even now hear that wonderful deep and all consuming laugh of his. Jim could light up every place he went.
I remember his 56 Chevy, he was so proud of that car, I recall going hunting for wild hogs down in Branchville, ( and how I messed up and shot a farmers huge boar hog) We laughed about that, well we laughed after we got the thing buried anyway.
Jim I miss you, I still drink coffee out of the Marine Corp coffee cup you and Carolyn gave me the last time I saw you.
Carolyn, you and Jim were such a good pair, and I know he loved you dearly.
Please know that I am here for you. Know that I loved Jim very much. I wasn't as good a friend as I should have been but Jim never held that against me. He just worked harder to make sure I knew he cared for me.
Jim rest easy, the battle's are done, the line has held, and your job is finished.
I know that Heaven is ringing with that wonderful laugh of yours, and it shines a little brighter with your smile's glow