Page created by: Sharon Falkenrath

My husband Jim lost his heroic battle with Parkinson's Disease after 15 years on February 3, 2022. The last 5 years were particularly difficult for him as dementia had begun to take its toll. As a friend said "he was an exceptional man" and as his wife I'll add he was an equally exceptional husband. Jim never lost his sense of humor; as an example, just a couple of weeks before he passed away, his caregiver helped him rinse his mouth after brushing his teeth. As per routine, he swished the liquid around his mouth a couple of times and his caregiver asked him if he wanted another drink. His response was "why not, I don't have to drive". This is one example of the things that will keep me going and also to know that his body and soul are released from pain forever. True love never dies and we will meet again someday. He treasured his family; his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He was a good and caring friend and a great listener as well. We were blessed to have him for as long as we did and now we grieve his loss.
Jim retired from the military as a Lt Colonel Quartermaster Corps after a successful 21 year Army career. He then went on to work for Honeywell Federal Systems as a Technical Support Manager where he led several successful software development and installation projects over the course of 10 years. Jim was always a man with a plan and could do just about anything he put his mind to including to help build our retirement home on a lake. Finding himself a bit restless in early retirement, he eased himself into it by building docks for a few years just for the sheer enjoyment and sense of accomplishment. Jim always had a project going but most days it could wait until he played the customary 18 holes of golf with his buddies. He referred to this as "going to the office". Jim was passionate about golf and his foursome played so quickly they were always given the first tee time.
Jim and I experienced wonderful adventures with family and friends over the years. Our kids will forever cherish the memory of rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for 8 days! Jim always thought it akin to a religious experience. He loved to travel and relished our trips abroad after retiring. Just prior to one of those trips, Jim received the Parkinson’s diagnosis but that did not stop him. We river cruised for 10 years and life was good. Jim tried so hard to never let PD dictate the way he lived his life and he never complained. We traveled until 2015 and after that it became just too difficult for him so we took our smaller pleasures at home on our lake. We had a wonderful life for as long as we did because Jim made it bearable for us all through his grace, patience, humor and strength of character.
I will forever see him floating out in our cove with Buddy our golden retriever; a frosty can of beer and his legs dangling over the side of the raft.
Life was good!