Oh yeah, one more. Becky put a kitchen hand mixer on our wedding register. When we opened our gift from the Oelrich’s, they had given us a hand mixer, but it wasn’t the one from the registry. Mr. Oelrich told us quietly that the one on our list was “eh” so he did some research and got us a good one that would last. Well…almost 20 years later and the mixer he upgraded us to is still working and gets used regularly.
I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it at that.
Mr. Oelrich will never be forgotten. Thankful to have known him and thankful to know he is with the Lord and we can see him again! Godspeed to all his family and friends.


Oh yeah, anytime I would go over to the Oelrich’s house for breakfast, lunch or dinner…it was my only friends house were I had to do my own dishes! He had us clean and wash our own dishes before getting back to playing. Maybe not so fun at the time, but that chore influenced me too because I have never liked dirty dishes laying around. 😊
He introduced me to those orange circus peanuts from Fleet Farm, but not sure why he would let us kids eat them in the car when we would start a road trip. He gave me my first full flavor pop, Barq’s root beer. Seemed like he always had a cooler of those when we went to a park for a picnic. He would also have crackers, put sliced cheese on it, maybe some summer sausage and I thought that looked good. Then he would put mustard on it and I would shake my head and pass. However, after some convincing and trying it a few times…I can say to this day I still like to put mustard on my cheese and crackers. He wanted Aaron and I to experience a REAL fireworks experience so he brought us over to WI so we could hand light our own. Mrs. Oelrich went with us the few years we did it, but not sure she was a huge fan and she might have just been there to babysit us to make sure the boys (Mr. Oelrich, Aaron and I) made it home with all of our fingers.

I have so many fond memories of Mr. Oelrich and every one of them is positive. I don’t think I have ever once called him by his first name though, he has always been Mr. Oelrich to me. Growing up only a few houses away and going to school thru graduation with by best friend Aaron, there was so much time spent with each other’s families. 
Way too many memories to list, but here are a few. 
Besides his contagious laugh, many times at his own jokes that I didn’t always understand at the time, I remember him having a very recognizable smirk and a little bit of a cackle when he would tell me I was “looking for trouble”. I was young and had no idea what that meant (who looks for trouble?) and then he would laugh or cackle right after saying it…so I would laugh along and keep doing what I was doing. Little did I know it was his way of telling me to reconsider what I was doing before getting hurt or doing something stupid. Maybe I’m a little slow, but it took me months to figure out what that meant. Now I find myself saying that to my 10 year old and as soon as it comes out of my mouth I think of Mr. Oelrich and then wonder if my son even knows what I mean by that.
Pretty sure Mr. Oelrich is the reason I have little bit of that thing called OCD. It never seemed like he took a break on cleanliness or organization. I would go over to hang out with Aaron and there he was vacuuming and hand washing his Honda Accord even though I knew he just washed it by hand the day before. We would have to help, even for just a minute, before taking off into the neighborhood. I still like my car to be clean on the inside and out. Or I would be over and he would be re-organizing something in the garage that I just saw him organize the other day and it already looked just fine. It sunk in for some reason because I have caught myself doing similar things. 😊 

My favorite memory of Jim was at Aaron’s promotion ceremony to Colonel. The large background flag needed to be spread out but we couldn’t reach the top. Jim grabbed a ladder and an unsteady ping pong table to make it right. We all thought the table would fall but Jim wasn’t worried. He climbed on the wobbly table and up the ladder and straightened the flag. 

He seemed to always have a way of working through things to make them right. God bless Jim and am thankful we shared some of life together. 

Dad, 

I miss you so much.  It is hard to even speak the words because you departed the world too quickly.  But, I am so thankful I was able to be there and to say goodbye.  

Yet, I look around the house and think of all the things we had planned to work on together and fix.  You were my rock, if I ran into a problem or difficulty, I knew I could call you and you could help me through it.  We definitely had our differences and we might argue and fight, but I always knew you loved me.
 
Not only did you love me but you taught me so much.  

Dad you taught me to be passionate and an adventurer in life.  I watched you jump into God’s big world, whether riding motorcycles, canoeing in the BWC, scuba diving in the ice, skiing of all forms, climbing hills, shooting rockets, and going off trails.  Even when you were nearly 60 we hiked the stairway to heaven in Hawaii together.  

Dad you taught me to care for others, but yet be goofy and unique at the same time.  I watched you with our daughters and learned how to live life with passion.  You had a deep desire to bless our girls with gifts and spend quality time with them.  Dad you were the goofy grandpa who had an infectious laugh fill a room, devised crazy food to share, or sought out new crazy adventures.  

Dad you also shared your love of aviation with me. You are the reason why I wanted to be pilot and why I wanted to be in the Air Force.  I saw your love of flying and your desire to fly became my own aspiration.  One of my favorite memories was shared a couple weeks ago when I was able to take you flying around the Garden of the Gods.  I was ecstatic to share my talents because I knew flying was your passion.  

Dad I miss you and I promise to keep your legacy strong. I promise to always take care of mom and care for her.  I promise to live life with passion, adventure, and vigor until the time I am called home like you.  I am deeply saddened by your sudden departure, but I rest confident knowing that you struggle 

If I could describe Jim in one sentence it would be that he truly loved his neighbor as himself. 
He was always willing to be of assistance in any way that he could, persistently putting others first.

The positive impact he had on my son Tj is immeasurable. Jim was always incredibly supportive, volunteering to share his seemingly endless DIY knowledge with Tj, teaching him how to mow a lawn, and generally being an amazing role model. 

Jim’s guidance, sunny outlook and belief in Tj helped significantly improve his confidence and willingness to engage with other people. He undoubtedly changed  our lives for the better and I cannot thank him enough.

We miss you dearly!

Jeanne , so sorry to hear about Jim.   Way to young to leave his family, hope your heart will have only great memories to get you through with the help of prayer and God. I think of you every time our bible is used because it was your wedding gift to us.

Dear Jim,

I had the pleasure of spending lots of quality time with you and Mary Jeanne over the past couple years, even amidst the pandemic. We got creative & went on walks, grilled-out, sat outside in the snow with hot cocoa & a propane-tank fire, spent birthdays, holidays, etc. together, and you & MJ even rescued Jethro and I after near-siding (low-siding.. I know <3 ). 

The first thing you did when I met you was toss a baseball at Jethro when he opened his front door for our first walk together, and I remember thinking "oh this guy is one big kid". I looked forward to many walks with you, as Mary Jeanne & Jethro would speed ahead. I felt like we understood each other's humor - we'd egg each other on in our nonsensical jabber, make silly (stupid) jokes, etc. Many times Jethro would say "Don't egg him on!!", but I couldn't help it. Oftentimes I would do or say something sassy with the sole intent of hearing your notorious laugh, which in turn, would make me laugh even harder. 

I was pleased to know you, challenge & be challenged by you, ponder life & laugh alongside you. Thank you for showing me love and acceptance in your own way. I have so much love for your son, and your family - you are missed, and I carry you in my heart. 

I remember Jim always as my childhood neighbor. He used to be working on his cars all the time! Teaching me if I had any questions. I hope you’re resting in peace Jim. 

Way too soon for Jim to pass..If you ever needed help in anything Jim was there to help and then take charge.  At the cabin on the Gun Flint trail he was working on the plumbing system for my lake home once complete and working only too well he decided it was not good enough and re-did everything. When we went cross country skiing he led the way. We will all miss you Jim..

I have known  Jim for 35 years. I’ve always considered him a good friend even when we had a difference in opinions. If I could describe Jim in one word, it would be “unique “.  While working on cars with him, he believed by doing the job correctly, you save both time and money in the long run. He believed in good ethics even if it was not the popular opinion of others. I will certainly miss Jim but I know I will see him again when the Lord calls me home.

Jeannie, Aaron (Kim and girls), and Jethro,
O, we have so many wonderful memories with your family.
Thank you for being "a home away from home" for both Brian and Kayla. You loved our little princess before God blessed you with your 4 beautiful granddaughters! We remember our days of working on Crown Him with Jim. We will always remember his lift that " took Jesus up into the clouds".
Jim will be missed here, but welcomed home "over there".
We look forward to that grand reunion. Praying that God will carry each of you thru the days ahead as He has carried you to this day. We love you greatly and are so thankful that he brought your family to Colby Lake in the 1980's to be our precious friends and neighbors.  The Thigpens 





Jim was a very honorable, proud, husband, father, brother, grandfather. He cared very much about his family and it's extensions. He was so proud of his sons.  He was always eager to share his many talents and abilities ( of which he had many) with ANYONE in need . He had a great sence of humor and a robust laugh. It's difficult to accept that he went to be with the Lord. I was very fortunate to of had him as my brother in law. We had many memorable times through the years. I'll miss him greatly. I feel a huge unfillable  void.  See you in heaven Jim.   God  Bless You.

“LETS” ( Life Ended Too Soon) Celebreate Jim!
Jim always talked in acronyms when he would be over at my house fixing or changing something out. I can still hear him say “Do you know what that means?”, of course I rarely knew…..!
I’ll miss those special times shared with him, running to the store to pick up parts for the project we were working on…always buying extra just in case… we can always return what we don’t need!!! He was selfless with his time talent and treasures. 
Jim always reached out to see if help was needed or to offer up encouragement or prayers.
You will be dearly missed brother Jim… I am so sad that you are gone from this earth…. I love you  …..Julie 

Jim was not only my brother, he was such an integral part of my life. He was also a very good friend. He was very social and he truly cared about people. He was willing to help no matter the project, working on cars, furnaces, anything around the house or out on the yard. Trust me, he did ALL of those things and MORE for me. If he saw someone broken down along the road he would stop and help them, no matter the cost or time that it took.
I will miss him immensely. When my time comes to go home to be with the Lord I know he will be there to greet me. 
I love you Jim ❤️🥰
Susan

Grandpa loved to fix and give me things. Whenever he would visit Colorado, he would always make so much trips to Home depot or Lowe’s in order to get things that would make my life easier. I never had to ask him for help. He would always offer me help. He was a never-ending source of encouragement and help to me. I’m so thankful he was in my life. 

Grandpa loved to teach me things. I remember this summer I decided that it would be fun for all of us to go bowling. I sucked, but Grandpa didn’t. He found my lack of bowling skills to be hilarious but through this laughter, he tried to teach me some bowling skills. It’s one of my favorite memories of him.

OBITUARY

James Richard Oelrich

February 23, 1952 – December 4, 2021

Wulff Funeral Home

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