Dad was known for his successes in the business world, but we'd like people to know the kind of father he was and the lessons he taught us. He prepared us, in his own style, to face the world as responsible, respectful and compassionate people. He was our lodestar and our inspiration. We are incredibly grateful for all he has done for us throughout our lives and we feel blessed that he was our father.
"I’ve always loved hearing about Grandpa’s adventures and experiences traveling around the globe. His stories sparked my passion for traveling. Over the years I’ve learned that not much beats exploring a new corner of the world with those closest to you.
I have and will always look up to Grandpa Jim. From being around him, I’ve learned how to carry myself in the business world. I’ve experienced firsthand what generosity looks like. I watched him effortlessly take command of a room. Growing up I always wondered if I did enough to impress him. With everything he was able to accomplish I wanted to make him proud. When he met my fiancé (now wife) Ashlyn, he reminded me of the time I wrote to him the year before when I mentioned she was “the one.” I remember him getting choked up, and I immediately knew how much he loved me and how important it was to him that I found someone to share life with, my passions with, aspirations and dreams with.
I’m grateful for the time I was able to spend with Grandpa, but wish I had more with him. I hope I can carry a small piece of his legacy in the one I leave behind."
~ Matthew
"The most important thing that dad taught me was to be generous. He really was one of the most generous people I have ever known. Through his successes he was able to help others and I will always remember that." ~ Doug
" I loved that Dad was not simply a dreamer but I saw him as a creator. I watched him plan and carve out his future. He was optimistic and found ways to make his creations a reality. Even during play, he would turn a simple Monopoly game into serious business negotiations. Add in the element of luck, Dad seemed to be a lucky person, and let the dice dictate your game future. And for me, the question remains, was Dad lucky or was it that he chose to believe he was lucky? And when I think about that, either option is wonderful.
With Dad back to Spirit, I take comfort in knowing that now, he knows my heart. This process of losing someone I have loved, appreciated, respected, and disagreed with, has changed me. Although, moments of loss continue to hit me, it has also paved the way of reflection and healing for me. In many ways, I feel closer to my Dad now and for that too, I am grateful. ~ Teresa
"Jimmy Ted was more like a cousin to Terry, Lee Ross and me. We all kind of grew up together. We played and interacted a lot since we were all in or around Woodward and at Grandma Williams boarding house. But Jim got his drivers permit earlier and had a jalopy so we got to run around Woodward. The Dairy Queen and Crystal Beach." ~ John
"He was bright, clever, witty and had a one of a kind charm. He taught me to give without concern of what would be owed. He taught me discernment in business and judging another’s character. He taught me that with success should come classiness. He taught me to have a sense of wonder about the world. He instilled in me an adventurous spirit and that taking risks was important. He taught me to celebrate often and with others. He taught me the importance of family. He taught me that success means nothing if you do not help others. He showed me how important it was to have a good sense of humor. Rest In Peace Grandpa. I love you." ~ Tanner
"Grandpa
He was kind
He was generous
He was meticulous
He was brilliant
He was thoughtful
He was tender hearted
He was a world traveler
He taught us how to celebrate
He taught us there is so much to celebrate
He taught me how to travel
He taught me how to listen
He taught me how to support others
He helped me be the mom I hoped to be
He made me feel supported
He made me feel loved
He is my grandpa
He is the best great grandpa
He is never far
He is always with us
Our adventures together aren’t over"
~ Shawn
"I've always felt lucky too, just like Dad. A few days after Dad passed, we found a four-leaf clover. I immediately felt it was a sign from Dad. Just to be sure, I said, 'if it's Dad, we'll find four, one for each of his children.' And within a few minutes, we had four. No more and no less. I looked up the odds for finding a four-leaf clover and they are 10,000 to 1. The odds of finding four are exponential by comparison. I photographed them just to prove it, as it was so extraordinary. At that time, I so desperately needed a sign from him, to know he was ok and that we were ok. I know that he knows how deeply I have always loved him and I know that he loves me too. I'll be forever grateful that he was my dad." ~Tammi
"Jimmy Ted was always a hero to me. He was like a cousin to me. I remember as a kid, he would take me to the drive-in when he was with his date. I would be in the back seat of his 51 or 52 Ford. Jimmy Ted also taught me to box and needless to say, that skill came in handy over the years. It‘s interesting we both ended up at Ft. Bliss when we were in the Army at different times before I went overseas."
~ Vance
"I remember him going squirrel hunting, and I begged him to let me go. He never would let me tag along, so once I followed him. Got about a block from the house and he caught me. Sent me home, said he would tell my dad that I wasn’t minding Grandmother and that I’d get a whipping. I think I was only 6 or 8 at the time, and he wasn’t much older than me, so maybe 11 or 13? As an adult, he was very kind to Mother. They sent her checks several times. It helped, I let her buy clothes, shoes or ‘bling’. She did love to sparkle and shine. ” ~ Dixie
"I’ve been thinking about the good times and how Uncle Ted always had great vacations for the family. We were part of a couple of trips to Myrtle Beach and they were the best!!! You guys would fly into Charlotte and off to the beach we would go. It was about a four-hour drive and as we journeyed there, we crossed the PeeDee River several times. I recall Neal Carpenter asking: 'Are we going to the PeeDee Ocean?' I remember going out into the ocean and catching a wave to ride our rafts back to the beach---between the canvas material and the sand and the sunburned bodies, after the third day we all needed a lot of lotion!!! Those trips are some of the best memories of my life. "
~ Brad
"It’s hard for me to put feelings about my dad into words. I never questioned his limitless love for me and I’m sure he didn’t question mine for him. It never needed to be demonstrated or spoken, it just was. He was my hero as a child and became my rock as an adult — that support system I knew I could rely on if I ever needed it.
One of the many things about Dad that I’ve always admired is the way he handled adversity in work and life. He rarely complained about any misfortune — to him it became an obstacle to overcome, rather than a roadblock. Without an overabundance of negativity, he would find a way to work through or around it. Not that situations didn’t aggravate him on occasion, but he usually didn’t dwell on them or make them bigger than they were. Things would either work themselves out or not. He didn’t complain about hard work because he always kept sight of what he was attempting to achieve rather than the difficulty of the moment. He was a gambler in work and life, but he wasn’t reckless. If there was an advantage to be had he’d find it and utilize it wisely. He never stopped dreaming or setting goals and working toward them. He thrived on the excitement of finding a way to build something significant. I always felt he lived in the moment rather than the past, with an eye on the future.
Dad was a great storyteller. He had a playful sense of humor. He was tender-hearted. Every time we visited he would worry until we arrived and also until we got back home. He was generous and kind. He was stubborn — he had cataract surgery on one eye and decided he wasn’t going to do that again so he insisted he only needed one good eye and one good ear.
I know in my heart, he is still trying to say to me what he always said, 'I’ll talk to you later hun. I love ya.'
I love you too Dad. I will miss him more than I can express.” ~ Tedi