James "Jim" C. Shearin

James C. “Jim” Shearin peacefully passed away on October 19, 2021 surrounded by his family; beloved son of the late William H. "Bill" and Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Shearin; loving brother of William H., Jr. and his wife Lynn and Thomas J. Shearin and his wife Kathy; cherished uncle of Brock, Pierce, Patrick, Wendy, Bill, Chuck, and Matt; adored great-uncle of Elizabeth, Andrew and Matt, Jr., Jim is also survived by his lifetime friend and brother-in-life, Ralph Rizzo.

The family will receive friends in the LEMMON FUNERAL HOME OF DULANEY VALLEY INC. 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, MD 21093 on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 4-7pm with family reflections at 6:30pm.

Please wear of touch of red in honor of Jim, (red was always his favorite color, he loved Christmas.)

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 200 Ware Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10am. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed, please see link below.

Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

A celebration of Jim will be held at Liberatores in Timonium after the interment at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Please RSVP your attendance no later than 10/26 to Kathy Shearin at [email protected].

Expressions of sympathy may be directed in Jim’s memory to The Arc Baltimore, 7215 York Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21212 or visit www.thearcbaltimore.org.

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Tribute to JIM

“A heart is not judged how you love, but how you are loved by others.”

He had a heart of gold and the innocence of a child. For 71 years, Jim gave love freely to everyone around him. It was his way to welcome friendship by offering you a handshake and saying “Hi, I’m Jim.” He was friendly and positive and always ready for a new adventure. He was never supposed to live past day one, but Mom and Dad provided such unconditional love to make that impossibility a reality. He defied science and medicine, and was a walking miracle. He had a loving family, a 40 year career, and three dogs he adored, Pattie, Spuds, and Rosie. All would agree, Jim truly enjoyed life to the fullest. Love conquered every obstacle. He was a direct reflection of his mother and the joy of her life, and we loved him so very very much. But a heart cannot endure when a greater love beckons you from the heavens— we are no match for the higher powers of a Heavenly Mother. And so, it is with a very heavy heart of my own that I tell you Jim has joined her. Before she passed, she told him, “Jim, I’m going to see Dad, and I can’t wait. But please don’t worry, you are not alone here, you have Tom and Kathy and many people that love you. But Dad and I will both be waiting when you get to the heavenly gate...” I still recall that moment vividly just a month ago, sitting in the den with her, when mom looked him in the eye, patted his knee, and said those words. Throughout his entire life, he trusted and believed in everything she said. And I truly believe that in that one short moment, that was her queue, her permission, for him to let go after she was gone. Jim’s heart was physically failing well before that, and we both knew it, but he continued to persevere and endure out of his great love for her. Well, that day has come, because when Mom left this earth, a big part of him followed. They were one soul, one spirit, one love. And neither was complete without the other. As tears flood our eyes, it is not just for the loss of someone dear to our heart, but also for the great joy of their reunion. And although our hearts ache for their presence, the heavens can rejoice fully now. The circle of love is complete. They are together again, forever and eternal…

Mom and Dad and Jim