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.