Death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes . . . " On Saturday January 6, 2018 death took one of the saints, our father and grandfather "Grandpa Jim." He was 80 years old and passed away after a valiant, but ultimately losing fight with cancer.
They don't come any kinder, more selfless or purer than our dad. Jim was born during the Great Depression and raised by a hard working and strong single mother along with his four siblings.
He worked hard his whole life since his first job when he was a 12 year old boy and worked at Miller Honey company. Jim was grateful for the father like example of "old man Miller" in his formative years and often spoke of lessons he learned from him.
A patriotic man he served his country in the military for much of his life. Full time army followed by decades in the reserves. Army, Navy and Air Force. A man of strong faith he was a missionary in his mid 20s in the San Francisco Bay Area. A place he always loved.
He was the father to 10 children and somehow found the time for a strong and personal relationship with all of us. He married later in life but always wanted a big family. He taught us its never too late to do what you dream of.
In 1973 he built our family home almost entirely alone by hand. He could build or fix anything.
He was always a champion of civil rights, equality and sticking up for the little guy.
He was short in stature, only five foot seven inches tall, but very coordinated and a good athlete. He loved baseball.
He absolutely loved 57 Chevy Bel Air cars. He personally restored a couple.
He was a selfless man who gave away to others most of what he earned over a life of hard work. He served others with compassion every day of his life. He always was striving to be more like the Savior in his demeanor and actions.
His legacy is truly his family. He married Karen Newman in 1968 (later divorced) and together they had 10 children Diana (Tad) Stoker, James (Janalyn) Bramble, Julie Mills, Joanna (Tony) Bell, Laura (David) Kooyman, Jason (Mildred) Bramble, David (Katrina) Bramble, Steven Bramble, Lindsey (Connor) Clissold and Jessica (Levi) Greenwald. 33 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren with two more due this year. Also survived by his loving sister Marline.
He has been reunited in heaven with his mother Helen, father Howard, step-father Ernie, brother Ron, sister Carolyn and sister Sheril.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive. A viewing will be held on Wednesday January 10, 2018, from 6-7:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the funeral, both also at the mortuary. Internment: Elysian Gardens. Please share online condolences at www.dignitymemorial.com
We are and will forever be grateful for the lessons he taught us. We love you dad more than we know how to express and we will miss you intensely. Until we meet again.
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