Welcome to the First Coast Tea Party
What 'wake' will you leave behind in honor of Jim?
Yesterday a great patriot named Jim ended his time here on earth and took up residence in his mansion in heaven.
I met Jim two years ago when his wife and I started the local tea party group along with thousands of others across this great country. Jim and Carole became a part of my daily life for the past two years as we worked to restore the foundation of our nation. Carole was more out front than Jim yet he was behind Carole’s efforts and supported everything she did, everything she gave and everything she is to this movement.
Jim was a quiet man but don’t let the quietness of Jim fool you. He was a deeply convicted man who loved his country and took pride in his family’s military heritage. West Point graduates were a part of his family and the military held a special place in Jim’s heart.
Jim’s professional background was the tennis world. He was one of the founders of the ATP and recently wrote a book about the world of tennis. He went all over the world organizing volunteers at tennis tournaments. His expertise in the volunteer world showed up in ours as he helped us create a process for the wonderful volunteers at our tea party events. His special name badges setting the volunteers apart will always be there and a little of Jim will show up at our events when we place those badges around our necks.
Jim’s attention to detail was something that set him apart. He would show up with special signage that was needed at the appropriate time. He had decided we needed it, he designed it, he organized it, he paid for it and he showed up with it – and “it” made all the events extra special. He saw something that needed to be done and he did it!
I remember September 12, 2009 when we had finished our March on DC with 1.7 million people who gathered from all across the country. Jim was there walking with us. The cancer was in him then but had not done the big damage yet. That evening we got together for dinner with a group of our members. Quiet Jim stood up and told of us about his walk through the monuments and how the WWII monument had grabbed his heart. He read the words on the monuments and felt the spirits of those who died for our country. Jim choked up and we all did. Jim’s words were heart-felt and eloquent and as quickly as he stood up to share them, he quietly sat down as we reflected on them.
As Jim fought the last few months of the cancer battle, he fought hard. He was a fighter and his great health from taking care of himself, running and playing tennis kept him going for a lot longer than most. He enjoyed life every day and his frustration showed as his body no longer allowed him to do the things he enjoyed. He handled his life and death with dignity and was a testimony to all of us who knew him.
I only knew him for two years of his entire life. Yet in those two years, Jim made a difference in mine. In my work with executives, I ask them, “What type of ‘wake’ do you leave behind you?” They are unsure what I mean when I ask it. What I want to know is … when you leave a room, a meeting, a situation, etc. – what does the Emotional Wake you leave behind feel like to others?
Imagine a boat leaving a wake behind it. Does the wake cause other boats to bounce in the air as the riders hold on for dear life and if it is a big wake, some boats tip over, people fly out of the boats and chaos ensues.
Or does the wake create a smooth, slow bounce-along as the sun shines on the boaters and the movement brings joy to the riders?
Jim’s wake was perfect. He entered our channel, quietly and with authority maneuvered his boat around ours and when he died, his wake left us feeling better about ourselves and challenged to work hard and fight hard for our country as did Jim against the cancer.
As you think about that, ask yourself, “What wake am I leaving behind?”
Will America or your hometown be a little bit better because you choose to stir the waters and create an awakening about the ‘cancer’ stealing our freedoms?
Will you take your talents and use them to help keep America free as Jim did?
Will you be able to leave earth, show up in heaven and hear these words “Well done, good and faithful servant?”
I know Jim heard them and today he’s playing tennis on the streets of gold and feeling the warmth of the Son within him.
We’ll miss Jim but we’ll feel Jim’s presence at the First Coast Tea Party forever because he left a wonderful wake behind.
Good job, Jim!
NOTE: A Celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2:00 at ATP Tour Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
You may also send CARDS FOR CAROLE (Jim's wife) to First Coast Tea Party, 11437 Central Parkway, Suite 107, Jacksonville, Florida 32224.
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Comment by mary e. domask on January 19, 2011 at 7:27pm
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I didn't know Jim but, Billy, you certainly described a man that I sincerely wish I had known. Just knowing Carol, I felt that she had to be married to a truly wonderful man. May she and her family find peace in the Lord's arms. I will recall your metaphor frequently since the wake we make speaks to what we do each day of our lives. God bless Carol and family.
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Comment by Susan Fromm on January 19, 2011 at 6:17pm
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Carole, I am so sorry for your great loss. You have given so much from the beginning, God bless you both and welcome "home" Jim!
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Comment by Rhonda Herndon on January 19, 2011 at 3:35pm
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Truly a beautfiul memorial, Billie. I am so sorry the family and your loss of this honorable gentleman. Earth's loss but Heaven's gain. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I hope to leave behind a wake that will gently roll under the boat and leave behind a sense of peaceful contentment but, at the same time, will have the courage to rock that boat when it's necessary!
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Comment by Joanna B McDermott on January 19, 2011 at 2:58pm
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Wonderful tribute, Billie. My thoughts and prayers are with Carole at this time, a very special lady as well.
I plan to leave behind a wake my children, grandchildren and great granddaughter can ride on.
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Comment by Sandy McCorvey on January 19, 2011 at 2:12pm
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A beautiful tribute to a beautiful man and in honor of his lovely and gracious wife and loving family and friends. May all those who loved Jim feel the presence of our loving Father as they walk through these difficult days. His wake is a part of his living legacy and will continue.
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Comment by Holly Beach on January 19, 2011 at 2:02pm
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What an inspiring tribute! I wish I had known him.
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Comment by Rosemarie Brenneman on January 19, 2011 at 1:14pm
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This was a beautifully written eulogy and tribute to Jim. My prayers will be for his family and friends that have been left behind.
Every one of us should be so fortunate to have such a testimony
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Wow I wish I knew Jim. He has truly made a difference.
God Bless
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Comment by Jim Davis on January 19, 2011 at 6:11am
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The testamony of a Believer at the time of his death:
Acts 7: 51 "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 7:52 "And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
There is peace in the valley.
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While morning the loss of your friend, remember that death for the believer isn't real. David said in the 22nd Psalm: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death I will fear no evil." For the believer, death isn't real. Oh, it's ominous enough: that's true, but as the believer approaches the shadow, their Gods' peace (which passes all understanding, by the way) asssures them and comforts them. For fellow believers who are left behind, the message isn't "good bye old friend" but rather "I'll see you later, save me a seat next to you".
The testamony of a dying believer named Stephen:
One hundred years from today, Believers will be talking about these trying times: and how our Savior was the true solace.
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