James "Jimi" Oldham

Lasting memories and legacy are the precious byproducts of a lifetime and those that Jimi leaves will continue to sustain and nourish us long after this day ends. For many of those mourning today, they'll stay with us throughout the rest of our brief stay on this earthly plain.

Since that fateful Saturday afternoon several days ago, we already miss so much. That knowing and ready smile, those eyes that seemed to flash warmth and mischief in equal measure. We still hold on to the essence of that long lanky "fella" whose go-to therapies were grilling, cooking by intuition and eating his many culinary wonders. The baby of a family of eight who couldn't get enough basketball and adored the concept and sanctity of family, he consciously filled his life with both and could teach a masterclass in how to live fully through your passions.

Few realize how thoughtfully he and Clara turned compassion for others into a driving force of their lives together. One that focused on children. Early on in their marriage, when they saw a need, they acted by turning their home into a place where you could find both an open door and open hearts. From the offering of shelter to the dispensing of much needed guidance and understanding, that spirit of generosity quietly continued to span decades and remains vigorous and strong. The result has been to create an army of youngsters who would remain perpetually grateful for the empathy and kindness he and his wife provided. They became for him "a village of God's children who entered his life not for a season, but a lifetime."

After Eddie and Gladys' youngest child finished his reign as a legendary hometown hoopster and settled down to family life, a new side emerged that would define the man. As it universally does, fatherhood was the rite of passage that exposed the true tenor of his character and crystallized his values. Values grounded in integrity and resilience. Justin, Jarod and Demar are left to not only cherish his memories; but also to embody the principles he prized.

Granddaughters Cherish Nicole and Jace Ann basked and thrived in the love of a Pawpaw who doted on them and marveled at the tremendous change every year brought in their development and growth. In turn, they were hopelessly charmed by his lively wit and playful antics that were often as instructive as they were humorous.

Those brothers, sisters and cousins who were there from Jimi's infancy are left to ponder and absorb this latest void. Parents gone, along with Stuart and Judi; Larry, Mark, Mitchell, Jann, Katie and his legions of cousins, nephews, nieces and close family of in-laws know Faith sustains and time eases grief. There's also a soothing comfort in realizing "as long as we live, he too will live, for he is now a part of us; as we remember him".

It's heartening too to know that Jimi achieved something that gave him immense pleasure and satisfaction for 42 years, his marriage to Clara. Rarely do you hear a husband extol the virtues of his wife with the vehemence and conviction he frequently expressed about his partner and soulmate. Every time he did so, he reminded us that our greatest gift and our greatest duty in life is to love.