Jim Sasser

Mary and family - Sally and I will miss his wide smile, open arms and welcoming presence. His and your hospitality and kindness have meant much to us from our earliest days working together in Beijing to the last time we saw him in Chapel Hil. We hope your memories of him, his love of family and his service to country sustain you in the days ahead.

It is customary to refer to members of Congress as "The Honorable." Never was that term more appropriate than when addressing Jim Sasser. Filled with integrity, character, and humility, he will be sorely missed. So many miles we traveled and hours spent together, he was always, always a joy to be around. And whether the story I told was the first or the hundredth time, he always laughed raucously and usually asked for a retelling the next time we were together. Mary, Gray and Elizabeth, Jo Marilyn and Phyllis, I grieve with you and count it as my supreme honor and privilege to have known and worked for this great man. My love and deepest sympathy to the entire Sasser family.

I remember the time I picked him and you up at the airport in Beijing when he arrived to assume the Ambassadorship. I turned around in the car and told him I had tried to keep him from coming to Beijing. After a pause I said I'd voted for him, to which he responded with his ready smile and said, "well that endears you to me." Scott, Dana, Greg, Stephanie

Mary, I'm so sorry to have to write this. Dana, Stephanie and I will always have a special place in our hearts for Jim and you. Scott and Dana and family.

Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

RIP Jim

Condolences to his family