Page created by: The Andrew Family

Parkinson's Disease entered his and our lives in 2008. My Dad - Jim to most, Bubba to his grandchildren and Jimmy to his Alabama family - lost his battle with the disease on April 14, 2015 after struggling to recover from a recurring lung infection. With a preexisting heart condition and a later diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis, we (at least I) did not feel that PD would be the ailment of most concern because he had managed it so well for so long. During his journey, I learned that Parkinson's Disease affects people in different ways and at different rates. The most troubling aspect for my Dad was with his speech. He was someone who had been the life of the party. The joke and story teller. The speech giver who was now barely able to communicate. From there it was complications with swallowing which led to weight loss. Then the pneumonia and a rapid decline. Parkinson's is an unforgiving disease and to see a man who was always so strong and self reliant be affected in such a way was heartbreaking. He did give it a true fight and never wanted to give up, which is how he dealt with things all his life. A true gentleman, leader, husband, father, mentor, grandfather and friend who was proud of his Southern and Scottish heritage (He constantly reminded us that McRae's were a fighting clan...its in his blood.) and I know he was proud of his family.....but not nearly as proud as we are of him. He was the best.

From early on, Dad was a big supporter of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, wearing the hat, handing out those rubber bracelets at family events and forwarding articles from the website. Michael J. Fox was his new hero. That is why we feel it is a fitting tribute to ask that donations be made in Dad's name. He would be happy to know he had some part in the advancement of research that might aide someone or many.

Our sincere thanks,
The Andrews