Diane, I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy's death. He and I and Ruth Ann were the closest cousins in age. His family lived about 3 blocks from mine in Humboldt, TN. My memories of Jimmy are playing in the neighborhood and my family visiting on Sunday nights for dinner while watching the first tv I remember. Their move to FL was our loss and your gain. Michael Smith, Ruth Ann  Pafford and I are in touch if you need anything. Meanwhile, my love and prayers are with you and your son.

Dear Diane,
I just hear about Jimmy's passing and I am so sorry. Ruth Ann Pafford had told me last month that he was in treatment.
You may not remember me because it has been so long since I have seen either of you. I am Jimmy's first cousin, Michael Smith.  Jimmy and I grew up together in Humboldt, TN, before the Sedberry's moved to Fort Lauderdale. And I only saw him a couple of time after that. I do have such fond memories of him, and am very sad that I did not get to visit with you all before his death.  I hope that someday I can visit with you and your family.
Michael Smith

Dear Diane,
You may find this hard to believe but I am nearly at a loss for words.  That should mean this will be a short reflection, but you know me well enough to know that the words "short and sweet" do not usually apply to me.

Your husband, my Pack Leader and friend. What an amazing man! What a huge gift being friends with the Sedberrys has been to both Fedele and I.  Jim's patience with me and my ongoing theological questions and ramblings most certainly earned him a very special jewel in his crown. Oh my goodness, how he would laugh.  I am ever so thankful I had the honor to sit with him in church whether at NorthStar or Calvary Chapel.  I watched as he took notes or nodded his head in agreement reminding me that God always has something to teach us and at no point are we ever done with the refining process while we walk this earth.  Jesus died for Jim (and those he loved), a fact that Jim did not take lightly.  He took the gift of salvation very seriously and honored his Savior in both word and deed.  I think this Pack Leader was truly a man after God's own heart.

I was always completely at home with Jim, not worried that I had just gotten out of the shower and was arriving at your home with wet hair and no make up.  For I knew that my Pack Leader loved me from the inside out.  I noticed that others felt entirely at ease in the company of this Godly man, my guess it is because they were spending time with Jesus who just happened to be wearing Jim's skin and speaking with Jim's voice at the time.

We will never know how many lives Jim touched and changed, the impact he had in this world, but I know the impact he had on me.  His love for you was second only to his love for Christ.  His love for and pride in Marcus was on display whenever Jim spoke of him. He loved his grandchildren and was looking forward to the newest Sedberry's arrival.  You know God has already let him see what this little one looks like.  Like Jesus, he had faithful friends who fished with him, worked beside him and broke bread at his table.  He treated everyone of his friends as if we were his favorite and that there was none more important than the one to whom he was speaking.

Others have had many years to build Sedberry memories, Fedele and I not quite so many.  But I thank God for each day.  For each hymn we sang together, each time we went to the theater, each chicken wing we ate, and each prayer we offered up.  I thank God that we laughed more than we cried, rested more than we ran, and knew that we knew that we knew that we would all be in heaven together one day.  Jim followed my little mother by about 24 hours.  They completed the work that God had set for them.  They did it with joy and thanksgiving, showing others by their own example that Jesus is indeed Who He says He is.  Jim's faith never faltered, he fought the battle with fearless determination for he did not fight alone.

I am happy to be part of Jim's Pack.  It worked so well because we both knew exactly Who the real Pack Leader is.  I would change nothing about my journey with Jim for I am better for having loved him and been loved in return.  Who would have thought that each time he said, "Shar, you're a mess", that he was actually saying "I love you."  Thank you for letting me love him, thank you for letting me part of the Sedberry Pack.

So you and I will continue our journey, until Jesus calls us home and there will be Jim standing tall and straight, huge smile on his face, happy to see us and he'll say, "Come, let me show you where they keep the horses".

With much love and continued prayers,
Shar xoxo

To Diane and Marcus,
  I've waited a week plus to think about the things Jimmy & I did together. Vacationing together several times, airboating once, hunting a few times, fishing many times, studying Scripture for years, laughing and living a life-time, and ordained together. 
  My most memorable time with Jimmy: we went to Ruby and Art's house in Edgewater. Ruby and Art were still in Madison.  I awoke at sunrise on Sunday morning and walked out to the glass wall that faced the half-risen sun, a huge orange globe. Jimmy was in Ruby's recliner facing the rising sun, a cup of coffee on the side table, a Bible in  his lap.  I said "Good Morning Jimmy" and while still facing the sun, Jimmy said "It doesn't get any better than this Bob."
Your husband and father may now be directing sunrises. For sure, he has now found Something better than that Sunday morning.
Jimmy IS the most faithful man I ever meet.   Love, Bob

My sister Scotty just informed of Jim's passing.  The world has lost a very special person.  The Sedberry's and Torres families were part of my life for many years and will remain dear to my heart.  I am sure Jim and his brother Gene are cracking some pretty good one liners at this moment. To the entire family I wish you love and peace and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

As I learned of Jim's passing thru Linda de Don, my heart was so heavy I ached for you with undersatanding and empathy only one who has walked that path can feel. I wish I had known in time to be there for you. I hope that you find peace thru the grace of Jesus to go forward, be happy, and remember all the good times. With love, Scotty

I know that we are sad & miss Jim...but he is truly in the best place now...no pain any more.  I will always remember his contagious smile & laugh!  I have so many memories...how in the summer of the 70's-I would stop at A&W & bring over a gallon of Birch Beer to the shop to share or a quart of Polar Cup (that really good frozen lemon treat) because it would be so hot & feel so good & cool!  I remember when I worked at the Toyota Dealership on Sunrise Blvd. & rode the Mopeds off the lot to your house!  I remember the time four of us went wild bore hunting at Yeehaw Junction-now that was an experience I'll never forget!  Another time at Alligator Alley when he took me for my first ever airboat ride on his airboat & all of a sudden in the middle of the trip-he took my hand & said here ya' go-you steer it now...OMG!!!  I have very vivid memories & can describe 'the kitchen' Jim built for camping that fit perfectly inside their pop up camper...there was everything that you could possibly think of & then some built right in!!!  I can remember on the inside of Jim's work van, how he took the empty baby food jar lids & mounted them in ceiling so that the jars could hang full of different kinds of components that he needed on a job...I just thought that was the most clever idea ever!!!  I always thought that Jim & Tina had the best life ever...because they loved each other so much-but also because they liked each other...not many couples can say that!  Not many people can actually work together all day & then come home together & spend the rest of the night being a family & actually enjoy themselves...Marcus had the best childhood ever!!!  I remember when Jim redecorated their bedroom by making the window into a door to a deck with a hot tub...a waterbed & a TV that he hung from the ceiling...to me that was like living in a mansion!!!  It reminded me of a page out of a remodeling magazine!  And he was always doing something to the house-inside or out to make their home one more notch above the best that it already was!  I remember the big anniversary party for Aunt Margaret & Uncle Henry that we drove to Fort Lauderdale from Atlanta & back again all in one weekend...what a party that was!!!  That was the first time David & I spent the weekend with Jim & Tina...it seems like we sat in their living room & talked all night.  And then in the next coming years for Thanksgiving or Christmas time we spent there will always be so very special for us...just one on one time with each other...I think Jim & David could talk about the Bible in their sleep to each other.  But I will always be most greatful to Jim when my Daddy was sick in the hospital & I asked Tina if he could come & talk to Daddy about his Salvation...the look on his face when he came out of the hospital room that night was priceless...those were tears of joy coming down his cheeks as he told me that Daddy knew without a doubt that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Saviour, because I was a newly born again Christian myself & was not sure that I could relay the message that Daddy needed to hear that night, but I had complete faith that Jim could do it, & when I went in the room afterwards & he had Jim's silver cross clutched tightly in his hand-I knew as much as I did not want to face the fact that my Daddy had a terminal brain tumor-where he was going to spend eternity was in Heaven with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  I loved Jim as much as I love Tina...and that is the most precious, special kind of love there is.  I know that he is rejoicing now in Heaven & will be waiting for each one of us when we get there with open arms & the biggest smile ever...we will miss Jim here on earth, but all that have gone on before us are enjoying their time now with him.  We will see you again soon.  Thanks for all the memories...All my love-Melissa

Dearest Diane
So many years, so many memories, too many to write, I will never forget when you and Jim met, I may have dated him first but once he set his eyes on you you were the only girl he had eyes for from that moment on.  I remember the many football games I went to with the 2 of you, the parties, just growing from teenagers into adults.  
We went through hard times and great times.  We were able to raise our sons together, see them both come to know the Lord and best of all see them remain good friends as men.  How can you begin to cover 50 years in a few words, the fabulous mexican dinners, the camping trips, the trips to Alligaor Alley, to Disney, Seaworld, North Carollina, Pa and the list just keeps going.  I think some of my fondest memories were when we went to Edgewater and just had the quiet and peaceful times, if we wanted to talk we did, if we wanted to go we did, and if we wanted to just be still we did.  We never in all our years of friendship felt the need to fill those quiet times.  This past year when Jim was going through the toughest times, when I would call he always wanted to know how "I" was doing, and never complained.  He would just say "he wished he could do more for you."  He loved you deeply and cared for you deeply.  Guess I wind this up Bob said I can't write a book and you know I always do as he tells me.  Just know Diane, no matter what time, what day, if you need me I will always be there for you, my prayers are with you. 
Love, 
Cheryl

I feel so sad that Jim passed.  Time moves so very fast.  I knew him throughout our school years and I remember him as a sweet and somewhat shy guy but always had a smile and was a 'nice guy'.  He was taken too young but God must have had His Plan.  I pray for strength for the people who loved him.

My sympathies to Diane and all the family. My prayers will be with you as you go through this hard time.

My sympathy to the family. 
Glynn Pennington
Sedberry Family Historian
Son of Sallie (Sedberry) Pennington

Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Diane and the rest of the Sedberry and Torres families. May Jim rest in peace. God bless all.

My sympathies to Diane and Family. May the Lord bless and keep you in this time of grief.  Travis Johnson

dear diane,what a lovely entry by marc!my prayers are with you and and your family during this sad time.  love you, peggy benz

Words can't express how much we already miss you. 

We had so many great years together as hunting buddies, fishing buddies and many years of fun and laughter.  Many times we were just together, the good times when we just spent time together,
some times we laughted til we cried because you were the best story teller ever.  Times breaking bread together
and just hanging out.  You were a man of many talents... gardening, cooking, woodworking, carpentry, photography, hand tooling and so much more.
 
We will miss you so much, your jokes and laughter, your company, your story telling, your advice, your many years of friendship Jim.

My only regret is that we did not get to do those things we planned and talked about doing. 
But we can start a new list when we join you in heaven. I know that one will get done and an eternity to think of more.  It will only be a short while til we see you there.

Your Friends with love and affection,

Curt & 'Petie’

Uncle Jimmy was always so special to me.  He was always so good to me.  I know when he reached the gates the whole family was there waiting for him.  I know Don gave him a big hug & told him welcome home brother.   I am so sorry for your loss, I know the pain you're feeling.  Let the memories get you through, there really is a lot of good ones.  I love you Aunt Diane & Marc I wish I could be there for you.  My thoughts & prayers are with you both.   Rachel Smith (Sorrento, FL)

Dear Dad,
I want you to know, I can still hear your voice. I hear you tell me Keep your eye on the ball Marc" When I was a little boy. And " Make sure you always tell me the truth Marc" and " I will always be there for you Marc" and (while fishing) "Set your hook Marc, you got em!" and when you knew something wasn't right "Marc don't hang out with them boys, they are trouble" or when you would go away, you would put your hands on my shoulders and quietly say "You take are of your Mama". I use to love when you would call Uncle Joe "El Sed". I also loved when you would tell me stories about you and your Dad, about your Tour of Duty over seas, about you and Mom, about Hunting trips, and about good times with your Buddies. I will never forget that it doesn't rain in Disney because they built the "Big invisible dome" Hahaha. Dad I miss watching Football Games and John Wayne movies with you, I miss our Air boating, Fogging, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and Scouting Trips. Not to mention the countless hours you spent in the stands at all of my sporting events. What a Childhood you gave me. A great T-Ball coach and scouting leader you were. I'm thankful for the service calls you took me on and taught me how important it is to work hard. I thank you for showing me the way of life, the importance of Believing in God, Good Morals, Integrity, and never Quitting. I'm happy for every butt whipping I ever got, to keep me on the path of being a good man. I always knew with you, everything was going to be alright. You always told me the Truth even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear. If you don't get to meet our baby in person, you will be able to look down and see him/her I hope it makes you smile. You are a Man of Men, Your Yeses meant YES and your No's meant NO, and nothing was ever sugar coated. If I can be half the Dad you are to me, I will have accomplished something HUGE. I didn't need super heroes in my life; you are and always have been my Hero. Dad while you are away I will take care of Mom, We will both see you again. You will be Happy, Healthy and Pain Free. I love you Dad.
Love Marcus 1-18-11

OBITUARY

James Jimmy H. Sedberry

April 12, 1945 – January 22, 2011

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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