Wednesday, December 7, 2022
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There are so many good memories of Jim it is impossible to write them all down. The day we met at 14 years old, at the 12th street park, is the best thing that ever happened to me. Jimmy and I came from 2 different towns, but we played baseball and football together and from that day forward, Jimmy became my best friend.
Jimmy was always a natural athlete, and he would say to me whenever I got the ball “lateral it back to me and I will do the rest, just block the guys in front of me” and I would feel his hand on my back. In an instant, Jimmy was gone, leaving the rest of the team behind. Jim would run and juke everyone else out on his way up-field and into the endzone.
Jimmy and I went to our first concert together in 1969, the Led Zeppelin 1 tour in New York City. Later on, Jimmy introduced me to Bluegrass. Next thing I know, we were riding our motorcycles to North Carolina every chance we had to the Bluegrass festivals. Jimmy tried to teach me guitar but being that I was lefty it was a difficult task. Though difficult, he was still able to teach me 3 cords, G, C and D. After trying guitar for a bit, Jimmy decided it was a better idea to have me play the spoons.
I met my wife Ellen through Jimmy, and years later Jimmy became the Best Man at our wedding. Wherever Jim was stationed while he was in the Navy, Ellen and I were determined to visit him. Whether it was in Memphis Tennessee, Lisbon Falls Maine or Bermuda.
Ellen and I went to Bermuda, and I will never forget when we docked from the cruise into Bermuda, Jimmy was so happy to see us. We got Jim a name tag as if he was a captain on the ship and he spent 7 days with us. Everyone on the ship new Jimmy by the end of the week. Jimmy made friends everywhere he went. Sometimes I would leave the ship for a while and go downtown Bermuda and when we came back, Jimmy was in a float with a drink and 25 other people in the ships pool. He really loved that pool…he was there every-day. The food was on the house.
I miss my best friend, but I know we will be together again one day. Until then, I know he is watching over us, just as he did in when he was here. I have so much more I could say about Jimmy, and I look forward to talking to his sons Jon and Sean about these memories. When I met Jimmy, I met the best family in my life, the Mcdonnell’s.
I love you brother,
John/Scheppy
