James "Jimmy" Joseph Courcy

Surrounded by family on Sunday, December 29th, 2013. James Joseph Courcy Jr., age 49, of Yakima, Washington, better known as “Jimmy” peacefully embarked on the ultimate journey to dine at the Lord’s Table.

Jimmy was born in Hollister, California to James and Connie Courcy on March 24th, 1964. He was welcomed to the family by brothers Jerry and Tony and sister Elizabeth, with younger brother Michael entering the family two years later. Jimmy was always a gregarious, outgoing, friendly and talkative fellow. As a child, the family always had to keep an eye on him because he would often wander off, talking to strangers, engrossed in making a new friend. There was not a person that was a stranger to Jimmy. He always made friends easily, and those who knew him could count on a friend for life. Jimmy never forgot a name or face and often the names of friends whom he had not seen for decades would come to his lips when they met again.

During his youth Jimmy was an excellent student and athlete and he always had a story to share. His report cards would come home with straight A’s accompanied by comments from his teachers of being “very talkative in class.”

Whether it was playing Pop Warner football at the grade school, enjoying baseball in the spring or simply “shooting the hoop” with his brothers, Jimmy loved interaction with friends and family.

Yet sports and education would not carry Jimmy through his high school years. Unfortunately they were cut short by actions of others that would forever change the course of Jimmy’s life and the rest of his family’s.

At the age of 16, Jimmy began a long battle with mental illness, and throughout the course of his life, spent time in and out of mental hospitals, with his family always beside him to assist with his care.

Throughout his illness and during his adult life, no matter how much pain he was in physically or mentally, his love and compassion for people never wavered. He would continue to befriend anyone he met with a smile, hand extended and a “Hi, my name is Jimmy.” He was always ready to give his last dollar or offer a ride to anyone in need. He was genuinely concerned about the welfare of others and wanted to make sure everyone was OK, especially his family.

Jimmy loved to take car rides. He was always ready to go with soda in hand no matter how short or long the ride. He found refuge in music, listening and singing to the radio or the theme song from Gilligan’s Island.

The family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to Dr. Fredrick Montgomery, Dr. Debra Gould, Dr. Tanda Ferguson, Kathy Mack, the Paul Reece family and to all his caregivers for all their care and support for Jimmy through the years.

To our son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, godfather and friend to so many, you will be forever loved and deeply missed. Your smile will never be forgotten.

Surviving here on earth, awaiting the time to see him again in God’s Kingdom are his parents, James and Connie Courcy, brothers, Jerry, Tony (Debbie), and Michael, his sister Liz Henry (Keith), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A vigil service will be held beginning with a Recitation of the Rosary at 5:00 PM at Keith and Keith Funeral Home on Yakima Avenue on Friday, January 10th, 2014. A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Saturday, January 11th, 2014.

A celebration of Jimmy Courcy Jr.’s life will be held in the spring.

Our beloved Jimmy is now in Heaven enjoying his renewed mind and body. We love you!

To share a memory of Jimmy visit www.keithandkeith.com.