James Harry Terry

The best big brother I could ever ask for 🙏🏿

Jimmy, the best big brother, Son, Uncle, Great Uncle, and Friend, to everyone.

Jimmy was very active until his health issues started. Sometimes getting frustrated and annoyed because he was stuck in the apartment.

Jimmy never held a grudge, but would occasionally call you a deserving blockhead, according to Jahlessa and Nefertari.

Jimmy had an open-door policy and was always a friend and willing to help anyone.

Jimmy had protectors like our brother Keith, nephews Asar & Kwesi, and other friends that ran off other people taking advantage of Jimmy's friendly nature.

It's ironic, that being a friend is what brought Jimmy here and brought us to here mourn and celebrate Jimmy's life.

We did the majority of our growing up here in Oceanside. Running through the neighborhood with Henry Hayley; Fabian, Michael, and Mario Sorrato; Vincent, Valentino, and Jessie Gutierrez, and many others.

Throughout the years we had fun. Baseball, football, tag, hide and seek, bikes, skateboards, go-carts, the beach, fishing, going to Balderrama Park for more fun and games, going to the La Chakia market for candy and snacks, or hiking for hours and miles through the Oceanside crayons. It was fun before all the houses and businesses were built on our canyon playgrounds.

We witnessed so much progress growing up in Oceanside.

We witnessed interstate 5 being built with new overpasses. Hotels and department stores like Grants, Kmart, and many others that came and went.

When the summer came, it was baseball and go-carts.

The neighborhood kids would "find" wood throughout the neighborhood to make the body and axles for the go-carts, but then it was time for the wheels, and nothing worked better than the "free" wheels off grocery store carts. We "found" many carts for the wheels every single summer.

Once the go-carts were ready, we went to the hills, for races.

Back then the steepest hill was at a local junkyard. We road that hill hundreds of times and hours.

Back then drafting or mechanical drawings was a required class at Jefferson Jr High. I remember Jimmy teaching and helping me with the 7th grade drafting in evenings hours.

I don't know if you know it but Jimmy can keep a secret.

Jimmy kept 2 of my secrets.

🎯 I was good at Archery. One day while shooting arrows in the yard someone decided to light an arrow on fire. The arrow was released long and high. Just after the arrow was released our mother called us in for dinner.

While relaxing and eating dinner at the kitchen table, there was growing commotion and sirens outside.

Mom and grandpap opened the door. We looked outside and the evening sky was orange...oh no, the canyon! Jimmy promised not to tell.

👁 Dirt Rock fights (we weren't trying to hurt anyone) just boys having fun in some hills in Pittsburg CA.

A dirt rock was released with the perfect timing and arch, the dirt rock exploded on Jimmy's face. I ran to make sure that Jimmy was okay. With a bloody eye, Jimmy promised not to tell.

Jimmy still has the markings under his eye.

Jimmy saved me from the belt both times.

It was the end of the good ol days. Because not long after moving to Pittsburg CA the unthinkable happens.

Losing our mother unexpectedly the summer of 1977 was a downward spiral. Jimmy delt with our loss in his own way as he set out to explore the United States on the railroad system, jumping trains from town to town, and state to state.

🚨 Jimmy also got to know a little about the US penal system.

Jimmy later found his way back home in the summer of 1981. He was the missing link and he was finally back home.

Jimmy was the big brother to look up to. I am certain that we had our differences, but I cannot remember a single fight that he and I had.

You may notice that I keep saying Jimmy's name, that's because when Jimmy talked with you or I, Jimmy would say your name over and over.

Troy what do you think about...

Troy do you think...

Troy is this...

Kyonte what do you think...

Koen do you know...

Triest is this...

You can finish the sentence, but Jimmy always said your name.

Even if you don't know Jimmy's friends you know their names. Names like Henry Hayley, Berry Blue, Julius, and many others because he repeatedly said their names.

If you ever forget your name Jimmy would remind of your name in every conversation.

🥔 Jimmy was good at encouraging you to keep secrets too. Jimmy told Jahlessa many times "don't s spill the beans" about his hidden candy or other secrets, as he laughed out loud.

The stories about Jimmy can go on forever.

I thought I had more time with Jimmy.

I wish I had more time with Jimmy.

It's important to know that Jimmy is free of his medical issues and is free of his apartment.

Jimmy's spirit will watch over us with Erika, Mom, Grandpap, Grandmaw, Granny, Aunt Dot, Bobby, Nick, Angela, Sonji, Newby, Jeffrey, and many others.

Had I known that Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 836pm was my last conversation I would have with Jimmy, I would still be on the phone with Jimmy today, never hanging up.

I love you, Jimmy.

Rest In Peace, my big brother, Jimmy.

~Troy~