Jim Ivey: A Celebration of Life!
|
|
|
Jim Ivey died on July 13, 2022, at the age of 97. Jim led an amazing life which you can read about here. On October 9, 2022, 25 of Jim’s friends came together to celebrate him.
The photos above are of the front and back covers of a booklet that Charlie Moffitt put together. It contained photos, drawings and remembrances of Jim by many of his friends. Thanks to Charlie for putting the booklet together and also Mike Kott & Sue Cornwell who paid for the printing costs so that everyone got a copy.
|
|
|
Our celebration was at an Outback Steakhouse. Twenty-five of Jim’s friends attended. John Beatty wanted to, but his mother passed away two days prior. I printed a sheet of Jim Ivey caricatures for everyone. Jim liked to say if 100 artists drew the same person, the drawings would all be different, yet each would capture an aspect of the person. It reminded me that Jim had friendships with each of us, but like the caricatures, the relationships were all slightly different.
It was great seeing so many of Jim’s friends who were also friends with each other because of Jim. We shared a meal, and many wonderful memories. There was a lot of laughter and we kept things low key – just as Jim would have wanted.
Mike Kott shares a Jim Ivey story!
Charlie shows Frank the proper way to hold a baby.
Everyone ignoring the waitress when the bill comes.
Cliff prepares to strangle Doralya.
The All-American Boy (we might have to revisit that nickname) tells the story of Jim Ivey’s slow motion fall during a poker game.
Bill and Rob recreating the Keep on Truckin’ pose.
Rob found Joy’s homemade cookies… so did everyone else! Yummy!
Joy shares an art book that Jim gave her.
Cliff’s smile means something is up.
Wild Bill Black and me… it looks like my hair had a stroke.
When Jim was approaching his mid-80s, he sent me a letter that contained the full page below. Jim came up with advice for himself since he was over 80. I always thought it contained great advice for any age, so I made a copy for everyone attending.
Jim will be missed, but never forgotten.
Wonderful appreciation, Craig! Thanks for this and all you’ve done for Jim over the years. I love the photo captions above!
It was truly a pleasure to coordinate those get-togethers. Thanks for the kind words.
I am Jim’s niece. I last saw him when my father Robert (Bobby) died and he came to Jacksonville for his funeral. My father died of lung cancer at 69. I completely lost track of Jim after that. I love seeing that he is as loved and admired.
Jim was one of a kind. He is greatly missed. Thanks for commenting.