Jimmy O: An Eulogy

To see the suffering in the past couple of weeks have been a difficult period for us. Losing a loved one is difficult but we also lost a friend, an inspiration, a civil servant, a leader, a boss, and a visionary. No words can express what we are feeling right now and I’m sure only time can help us accept the fact.

Our father was one of those hard working fathers that always sought to provide for his family and for others. His words were the law in our house and at Red-Line. When I was young, I used to fear him but later I recognized he was already teaching me some of the most valuable lessons in life.

To stand up for what you believe in. To have principles. To have Faith.

But most importantly to Act on those Principles and Faith.

If someone said it could not be done, he would ask why not and conquer it anyhow. The mountain was never too high! If there was a mountain he could not climb, he was comfortable in asking God for the ability to climb higher. It’s only from the top, did you have the best view. As we grew older, we understood that he was teaching us along the way to be self-sufficient and handle your own affairs and give back to the community. He had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple.

Many of you have discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. He would give his time, resources and monies increasingly to missions, churches, individuals, foundations, universities, benefits, sports teams and a host of other activities. He had a GREAT BIG HEART for the hurting. To his friends and community he was always ready to help. He never asked anybody for help and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped.

I remember when we were little he was very strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us and that the most important thing that he cherished was us, his family. He would often say how really proud he was of what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him.

He showed strength until the end and like Jesus some of his last words were, “take care of your mama.” We promise we will continue what our father has started. We know we’ll be filling huge shoes but with your help we can do it.

Let’s remember how our Jimmy O shared everything that he had with us. And let’s celebrate that he has finally gone home to our Creator.

written by David Oxendine, my father