Today we attended Jim's funeral at West Burleigh. Such a sad occasion, as funerals always are. We met three other EO members at the service, Wayne (waynepd) and the Geriatric Gypsies, Steve & Denny, all lovely people who, like us, are saddened by Jim's passing. The service featured the eulogy as posted elsewhere on the
forum today, read by Jim's brother David. Jim's daughter Virginia also gave a heartfelt eulogy, describing Jim as "The Best Dad Ever" The braveness showed by both David and Virginia at carrying out the eulogies at the depth of their sorrow was very moving. There was a slide show accompanied by some
well chosen songs from the Beatles, and Cold Chisels Khe Sahn as
well. A very heartfelt and tender service.
We (Gayleen, myself, Steve and Denny... Wayne had to get back to another hospital as his Mum isn't
well) met with some of the Potts family at Twin Towns for a drink afterwards, and got a small insight into what a close knit family they are. Jim's two brothers, David and Steven, are absolute characters, and regaled us with some wonderful yarns about their (and Jim's of course) adventures.
David and Steven asked us to thank everyone on EO for their thoughts, prayers and
well wishes over the last few weeks, they have been amazed at the response from EO and the Codan
forum as
well. They both intend to post on here in the next few weeks to personally thank everyone.
I had some more cards in my PO box over the last week or so, but we have been very ill here with the flu and unfortunately didn't get to deliver them to Jim. But I have enclosed them in an envelope with a printout of the posts from David H's post on Friday, and Steve and Denny have printed out some posts as
well, and we have forwarded it to the family.
Steve and Denny will post on here as
well tonight or tomorrow, it was a real pleasure to meet them, and Wayne as
well, just a shame the circumstances couldn't have been better.
In closing, something I remembered from Virginia's eulogy, she said "please, everyone, every day remember something about my Dad, and keep his memory alive"
Farewell Jim.........
Brian & Gayleen
Gold Coast
Qld