James Louis Judd

I first met JAMES JUDD when he was 17. My father, Bill Goodwin, was an antique dealer who had rented a garage from JAMES´s parents to store antiques. James, age 15 at the time, had a high intelligence and was stubbornly curios... would ask dad many questions. One day James came down the street shouting and holding a lamp. James got the lamp at a yard sale and sold it to dad for $16. Dad hired James and they worked together for many years. James became a permanent member of our family and over the years he refined his knowledge of art and antiques. He loaded up a van full of same and headed for California. When he arrived everything was broken except for the paintings. Fate had chosen his career. James and I often met for coffee and stared at oil paintings for hours when I was in art school in San Francisco. James had a full, rich, eccentric life. He was worldly, knowledgeable and had perfect manners. I could tell you a hundred funny stories about JAMES, so many I even asked him to help me write a movie script of his life. He responded very seriously, "I can´t because.... it´s my life" He preferred hot tea to coffee and collected green paintings. His favorite flowers were nasturtiums and whenever I see them I think of him. I lost many friends this year but this one is still piercing my heart greatly. JAMES YOU ARE LOVED.

James passed 3 years ago. I still miss him and think of him often. Rest in peace, my friend!

Reposar en paz

To Cousin Sara and Faye. I was a neighbor of James' from 900 blk. of Monroe. He was a friend to my family. When he was little I was his babysitter! I was very sadden to learn of his death from my brother, Mike. He would come back to Scranton to visit. I always thought I would see him again. May he rest in peace . I will never forget him.

What a lovely accounting of a life well lived. Remember him as the child of my beloved and wonderfully quirky friend, Ruth Judd.......she was so proud of him and his burgeoning artistic expression.......he certainly fulfilled her prophecy.