Our Friend Jim Shaw!!

Jim Shaw was quite a fellow - In life a true success

He worked hard in his grocery business - Straight forward without finesse

As a youngster he got no jump start - His mom was poor with four little boys

He even spent time in an orphanage - There wasn't much there in the way of toys!!

When he finally got back home - He found himself a job to make ends meet

A little kid with a paper route - Having spending money was bittersweet

Then cleaning floors for the Nite Owls - Many of us here did the same

Not worrying too much about school - Having spending money kept us in the game!!

Jim went off to Viet Nam - Answering the call like all the rest

In later years he'd remember - Being fired upon, life's ultimate test

He told me, "Buddy Boy I was scared" - So scared I froze like ice

Jumping in a ditch with my head down - Not wanting to pay the ultimate price!!

But that's the way Jim was - Truth was truly his friend

He'd look you in the eye - Good or bad, he wouldn't pretend

When the group would get together - That class of "63"

The stories would be told and told - And seldom, would any of us agree!!

When Jim and Kathy melded families - A miracle seemingly took place

Everyone loved each other - Some might call it a moment of "grace"

But the grandkids were most important - Jim loved them one and all

He made them each feel special - Papa left memories that each of them will recall!!

When Jim was told of his lung affliction - No self pity did he show

He jumped right onto the Internet - Doing research so he'd know

The good, the bad and the ugly - Jim kept digging for the truth

Finding others with the same affliction - Making new friends he became a medical sleuth!!

He knew his days were numbered - But he continued to march on

Working less to spend time with the family - Reconnecting with friends long gone

He attended Army reunions - Time with the grandkids was priority one

Jim would debate anyone on anything - One trait remained constant, Jim was fun!!

When he saw the end was coming - That survival was pretty slim

He thanked his entire family - For loving each other, that was Jim

He wanted to leave with dignity - To Kathy, it was his last request

Loving Jim to the very end - She assured him of his peaceful rest!!

On April 5th Jim departed - Our wonderful friend lost his earthly flame

Our "Sparrow" winged his way to heaven - That was his internet sign in name

Let's all remember the good times - And those pork chops with that special spice

Right now I can hear him laughing - "Folks, let me give you some advice"!!