Everyone James touched became his friend and even those whom he did not know became acquainted with him. He did not live in our ward when most of our seven children were growing up but when they would come to back San Jose for a visit, he would rush over to them, call them by name and tell them where they lived. All of our children eventually met James and they were friends. Yhey all were saddened when they heard he had left this life.
Years ago, James told me the turn-by-turn directions from Mt Madonna State Park (where we were at a the annual Fathers and Sons outing) to the Orange County Fairgrounds. If knew that if I ever needed to go there, James would be my navigator.
And, thanks to James, I learned all the types of trees planted around the Noreen Chapel.
We will all miss James and his enthusiasm for life, his knowledge of quaint facts, his joy in living in spite of whatever limitations he had, but most of all, I will miss his sweet innocence and genuineness in meeting with and talking to everyone. I am sure he has already made all kinds of friends beyond this mortal veil. I can't wait to rub shoulder with him again.
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