James Welsh

March 18th, 1964 - January 19th, 2018

James's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of James here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

The life of my friend Jimmy through my memories . The year in time I do not recall in the early 70’s But I was the new kid on the block and after a period of time Jimmy was one the first to become a playmate of mine. I can still remember him offering me $5 dollars to push him up in a oak tree there on Bradley and Hanes street in Dowagiac.( I still do not think he ever paid me). As the years went there where many intensive wiffle ball games in the back lot behind Larry and Garry house . We all played for hours . We all had odd jobs together from mowing lawns and Jimmies favorite weeding that hedge at his house on Hanes. We grew up as most kids back in that time played from sun up to sun down , little league, bikes and the infamous bee bee gun fight where I shot James in the chest and can still see him falling just like they did on TV. James and I had many adventures growing up and even through the high school days we shared many memories, Hell jimmy was with me the first time mom dad let me take the car and still remember him reaching over changing my directional because I had turned the wrong one on and prevented a crash. There where the times when drinking was involved, in those early days we had lots of conversation about that subject ( one story to share on this it was around 1983 or 84 and I went with jimmy and jimmy was being jimmy and driving, A young couple had pulled out in front of jim at the five mile drive inn and it pissed him of and he ran them down and had them pull over and said you look like your calling in their plate he walked up talked to them for 5 min came and told me he had told them he and I where off duty cops and they had pulled out to soon in front of us, he did this for about 20 min then let them go) it was stuff like this that still brings a smile to my face stupid yes but then things where different. Jimmy loved his drink good or bad , but those where some the best times we had and some the deepest conversations we shared. There may have been a few years between see each other but we just took right off where we left it. The only time I can remember not knowing jimmy was at his fathers funereal and I asked David where Jimmy was and Dave said he right behind me he had lost so much weight . Jimmy introduced me to ND football I think in 1982 he took me to a Navy Game, at that time not a big deal but as the years passed and conversation probable around 1999 I started to show more interest and can remember my second game ( Just remembered the year before I had taken him down to ND so he could get season tickets and picked him up the next morning he was # 2 in line) well back to the second game I spent the night at his apartment and he drilled me all night on stadium protocol and how to be have and not get kicked out, well in true jimmy fashion got in the game went to the restroom came out and asked where jimmy he had just gotten thrown out for a drink in the wrong year cup had to set along that one but we shared many more. Jimmy is and was a big part of my life and for a lot of the choices I have made and probable the reason my son is just as Big a ND FAN and HISTORIAN I am sorry I never had the chance for Brandon and jimmy to talk ND football but the years have been hit and miss with Jimmy health issues and me being so far away. With tears of sadness and happy remembrance Jimmy I will really miss you Love your friend BB

Barry

January 25th, 2018 at 12:00am

Jimmy, you are remembered. I celebrate your life with great memory. I know you wish no one to be sad, so I imagine you singing the IRISH Fight Song, while arm-in-arm with Knute, Ara, Frank Leahy and all great fans who had preceded you in crossing over. Thanks for the memories! What a great life you had! May others remember their happiest times with you, as I know you wouldn't want anyone sad nor in Sorrow! Tell Lindsay Nelson Hello for me too! God has Blessed us All who knew ye!