Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
This is the last episode from the Jesse James family reunion of 2002. Among all the fourteen episodes, this is my favorite, because it represents the spirit of the reunion as we experienced it then, both simply and beautifully.
Please read the closing credits. The people who put this event together deserve every appreciation. The event could not have been as effective as it was without their advice, guidance, help, and support.
The music that accompanies this montage is performed by the gospel group Mountain Glory. This is a group brought to our attention by David Best. David’s grandfather baptized Jesse James’ daughter in the years before her passing.
One event that never made it into our video, due to technical difficulties, was the enactment by Mary Mimms of Zerelda, Frank & Jesse’s mother. If you ever have a chance to catch Mary in her performance again, don’t miss it.
On the morning when everyone was leaving the Paso Robles Inn, I stood outside saying goodbye. Charles Broomfield, who helped effect the donation of James farm in Kearney to Clay County, when he was a Clay County commissioner, asked me, “Why don’t we ever have something as good as this in Missouri?” I answered Charlie, saying, “Because no one has ever invited us.” I’m still waiting for that invitation.
Until then…Merry Christmas and best regards.
NOTE: If you think you missed Part 11, you haven’t. It just hasn’t been posted yet. Look for Part 11 and Part 13 after Christmas. OR…SUBSCRIBE ABOVE and be notified. Merry Christmas.
SUDDEN DEATH – DIARY OF A COVID VICTIM . . . Now on Stray Leaves, our family is fortunate to read the social media diary of our relative Judy Rae Davis Gibson. In a swift 18 days, Judy lost her husband to Covid-19. Judy now shares her painful story with us. We can feel and sense the terror and tragedy when this virus suddenly strikes. There can be no more powerful lesson than this diary to act responsibly, as we live and travel through this time of pandemic and death.
ericjames.org/wordpress/2021/09/08/sudden-death-diary-of-a-covid-victim/
Sudden Death – Diary of a Covid Victim
ericjames.org
While posting her daily battle against Covid-19 on Facebook, Judy Rae Davis Gibson of our family gives us an inadvertent first-hand record of theCOVID HAS STRUCK THE JAMES FAMILY AGAIN . . . "My foundation and the love of my life. R.I.P 9/5/2021" – Judy Rae Davis-Gibson, spouse of Robert Melvin Gibson Sr. and 3rd great-granddaughter of John J. James & Mary Jane "Polly" Carrell.
Greg James posted the following to his immediate family a few hours ago:
"I’m currently dealing with a heavy heart and confusion. My wife Judy suddenly passed away today and I’m asking for prayers and good thoughts. Thank you!"
Judy is the second wife of John Gregory "Greg" James. Greg’s first wife, Beverly Ann Brown, is the mother of Greg’s James descendants. Regardless, we send Greg our sympathies and condolences.
So sorry to hear about your wife Judy`s passing! Our prayers are with you!🙏
Deepest condolences. 🙏
Very sad news. Frank Younger has died. Details of his memorial service appear in the Comments below.
FRANK YOUNGER'S MEMORIAL SERVICE . . . November 18, 1940 – August 28, 2021. Frank Younger sadly passed away suddenly at age 80 as a result of an accident in his home. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Margaret (and stepmother Irene). He is survived by his wife, Sharon, and their three children, Pauline (Mike), Matt (Zoe), and Tom (Tamara), and grandson, Paul. Frank loved his family and always enjoyed sharing his encouragement, wisdom, and inimitable sense of humor with them. His contributions to the lives of many include his commitment to his career as an Astronomer at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics), his ongoing participation in local classical orchestras (including the odd instrument repair), and mentoring of many friends in any way he could. Frank’s recent endeavors included attending and helping run the James Younger Gang club as well as writing and reading his poetry. Frank has often enjoyed and been seen as having contrasting traits including riding his Harley motorcycle to a string quartet practice or cleaning his antique gun collection prior to reading his latest poetry writings to gangster club members. His unique character and compassion for all of his friends and family will be missed. You are invited to Frank Younger’s online Memorial Service. Please feel free to share the meeting link below as you see fit. You can join from any web browser using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. This will be a short memorial (20 – 30 minutes). We will not be able to provide any technical support on the day of the memorial. If you have any questions about how to join us using Zoom, please contact Zoë Younger at 778-828-9971 before Friday. We will be recording the memorial, so if you have difficulty logging in, or if you miss it, you will be able to view it at a different time. There will not be an opportunity to speak to all attendees during the service, however, if you wish to share a story with the family via email, we will be assembling a collection before the weekend. Please click the link below to join us. Topic: Frank Younger’s Memorial Service Time: Sep 3, 2021 03:00 PM Vancouver Join Zoom Meeting us02web.zoom.us/j/89203244337?pwd=QkU5b01uNzdZMWZNWmIwTUVPYllVUT09 Meeting ID: 892 0324 4337 Passcode: Frank Thank you, Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting us02web.zoom.us
I was devastated when I received the email. I spoke to Frank and Sharon a month or so ago. We had a nice talk. I will miss him dearly.
I was fortunate enough to have met and talked with Frank. He impressed me as a nice and knowledgeable man.