Jim Palosaari, who with his first wife Sue founded Jesus People Milwaukee, passed away May 25 of an apparent heart attack.
For a brief but fairly thorough account of Jim’s life and influence, see Wikipedia.
As news of Jim’s passing spread via face book, those of us who knew him or who have been influenced by his vision remembered him there. Jim’s life had great significance, and we who benefited from it want to remember him.
What follows are a collection of those comments, along with a few photos old and not so old of Jim and some of his friends. “Jedidiah” is one of Jim’s sons; many of the comments are addressed to him. But first, JUST ADDED today (May 31) the official obituary on the front to start things off…
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James “Jim” Michael Palosaari (1939-2011) was an evangelist and one of the leaders in the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and 1970s.
Jim was a first generation Finn whose father emigrated through Ellis Island, N.Y., born to John Palosaari and Sara [Bishop LaVeck] (of Irish descent), in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Jim grew up on a goat farm near Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he attended Oconomowoc High School. He spent his early adult years in the Chicago and the Detroit theater, including The Unstabled Theater run by Edith Carroll Canter and Woodie King, Jr.. (Actress Lily Tomlin got her start in the same theater company the year Jim joined). He married Joyce Warner in Detroit (1962), and moved to New York (Long Island) with his wife and stepson, Michael. This union produced one son, Kent, and following their divorce (1967), Jim and Jeanette Palosaari became parents of a daughter in California.
Jim and his then-girlfriend, Susan Cowper, became Christians in Seattle, Washington during the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s. Discipled by Linda Meissner, Jim and Sue helped to form the nucleus of the Jesus People Army, establishing outposts in Yakima and Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, and Vancouver B.C. with Russell Griggs. They were married in 1970, and traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the end of that year. Back on the West coast, Meisner and Griggs joined their ministries with the Children of God, later called the Family International, although Jim unsuccessfully tried to dissuade them.
In Milwaukee, Jim and Sue began a coffeehouse, “The Brady Street Power House,” Sue started a newspaper, “Street Level,” Jim developed a new band, “Sheep,” and they began a communal school called “Jesus People Discipleship Training Center” which grew to 200 members. In 1972, 60 members were sent to join Bill Lowery’s tent ministry, “Christ is the Answer” (CITA), and a team of 30, including the band Charity, were sent out, later to reemerge in Chicago as JPUSA and “Rez Band“. Earlier revivals in Racine, WI, and Duluth, MN, now became autonomous communes.
The Palosaaris and thirty members flew to Sweden as guests of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association. Upon arrival, the group spent substantial time in Finland, where Jim preached in Temppeliaukion Kirkko, the Stone Church in Helsinki. Sheep produced its first record in Helsinki, Finland, in Finnish. From there the group toured for the next six months through Western Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands. The Jesus People entered Great Britain in the fall of ’72 to participate with Russell Griggs and David Hoyt in an expose of the Family International at the invitation of financier Kenneth Frampton. With Frampton’s backing Jim, Dave and the group now calling itself the “Jesus Family”, enlarged by half, created the rock musical, “Lonesome Stone,” a musical history of the early “Jesus Freaks.” The musical opened at London’s Rainbow Theatre, eventually touring Great Britain and American air force bases throughout Germany, as well as Canada and the American Midwest, before closing four years later. While in England, Jim, Kenneth Frampton and British national, James Holloway, started what was for many years the largest Christian music festival in the world, Greenbelt.
A year later, the Palosaaris, Owen and Sandie Brock, and Paul and Lydia Jenkinson met to form another commune on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada calling themselves “Highway Missionary Society.” They traveled, showing the movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon, about the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and quickly formed a nucleus of disciples. Jim put together the rock band Servant, which became the first Christian rock band to use lasers and an extensive light show. Servant produced six records and traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain, giving Petra their start when Petra opened for them. Eventually the now enlarged communal group settled in Grants Pass, Oregon on land next to the Applegate River, where their interest in Christian community was supported through farming, work in town, and tree-planting. With Sue’s effort, the community now formed a children’s school. The new community sponsored Vietnamese and Laotian refugees coming into the country in the early ’80′s. At this time Jim also began Rooftop Records, producing one Servant album and sponsoring two other artists. Jim was the head elder of a council made up of men and women, developing their ideals of community, missionary work, and evangelism.
In 1981 Jim’s second oldest son, Seth, died in an automobile accident with two other members of the community. Two years later, the Palosaaris left to study and work with YWAM on the Big Island of Hawaii, and Oahu. Returning to the mainland where a last child was born, Jim worked in Texas with CITA, which he would continue to return to periodically over the next decade. He also promoted new Christian rock groups, including Newsboys, PID, and Whitecross.
In 1992 Jim and Sue divorced. Jim eventually married Susan Mattson, who died in 2008. During this time Jim worked extensively in charitable fundraising. He narrated the movie Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher, the story of one of the earliest and most well-known Jesus Freak leaders, Lonnie Frisbee, released in DVD form in January, 2007.
In March of 2011 Jim married Jo Sappenfield whom he met back in the days of the Jesus People Army. They lived in Jim’s native state of Wisconsin until his death on May 25th, 2011.
-end of official obituary
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Comments from those who knew Jim, along with some photos…
IN 1971…
Jim preaching the Word (unknown location)
IN 2010…
Jim Palosaari speaking at September 2010 Jesus People Milwaukee Reunion
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE.
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2010 JP Milwaukee Reunion: Front Row - Lynn Malmberg, Jenny Allen, Ginny Hoyt; Back Row - Mary Damrow, Lynn Nancarrow, Shereen Chesney, Carol Elaine Trott
Jim Palosaari was my friend and one of the most influential people in my life. Because of him, I have a ministry with children and because of him I am walking in my calling as an evangelist. I know he is with Jesus and I will see him there sometime soon. I am so glad we had time together a few weeks ago. My love and prayers to Jo and his children, both physical and spiritual.
Lynn Malmberg
In 1971, Jim kept me from running from Jesus. For that, I am eternally grateful. Because of Jim and the Holy Spirit, I get to sing and preach the Word of God. Thank you, Jesus for putting Jim into my life. No, he wasn’t perfect. None of us are. We will meet again, my friend….
Mary Ann Damrow
So thankful we had a recent celebration for Jim & Jo. Jim thought we all should ‘roast’ him, but we had a nice remembrance time and, of course, Jesus music! Thank you, Jenny & Bob for hosting. See you on the other side, my brother Jim. Many prayers for my new sister, Jo and her double loss.
Shereen Gauger Chesney
Greg Nancarrow sings in "Lonesome Stone"
Farewell, old friend and brother, Jim Palosaari. See you soon again, I hope. Thanks for being a big part of my earlist Christian years and leading us on the Royal quest…to serve the King (though we all failed him at times, we were always in the palm of His Hand). R. I. P. Rejoice In Paradise.
Greg Nancarrow
Worshipping with the JP Milwaukee -- Michael Damrow arms upraised. (click to enlarge)
I was with Jim from day one of the Milwaukee Jesus People. God moved in amazing ways through this man. Somedays , when I am in my office all day and getting bored I call him.The conversation is ALWAYS interesting and there is laughter. I will miss him.
Michael Damrow
Jesus Christ Power House in Milwaukee (click to enlarge)
Jim, you were an inspiration and an obedient servant. There will be many names in the Book of Life as a result of your work. We’ll celebrate when we all meet up again. Bless you, and welcome home, good and faithful servant.
In so many ways, Anne and I owe Jim for our salvation – if he’d not led the group to the UK we might never have met the Lord. I guess Anne is welcoming him right now in heaven. My thoughts are with all who knew Jim and especially with his family.
Steve Clark
Unknown location, Lonesome Stone rock opera performance (click to enlarge)
Jim Palosaari, like a dad to many of us in the early 70′s, has graduated to heaven, and is with the Lord now. Jim was an amazingly charasmatic person and led many, many souls to Christ. Sorry for the loss of your dad, Palosaari kids. And to Jo, Jim’s new wife who just suffered another tragedy, our hearts go out to you.
One more thought about the early days, Jed. When your parents came to the Billy Graham services in Chicago, and I a new Christian working out at O’Hare Airport, I was desperately searching for a place where I could serve the Lord ‘full time’. Then I met the Milwaukee Jesus People, where your dad encouraged us to ‘forsake all and follow Christ’. It was the happiest year of my life, and almost forty years later, I am still following Jesus, as many, many people still are, and in an off shoot of your dad’s first ministry, here in Chicago, at Jesus People USA.
Carol Trott
Carol Elaine Durkin Trott, the author's wife, with Jim Palosaari at2010 Jesus People Milwaukee Reunion
Jed, I can’t imagine where my family and I would have been without the Jesus People in Milwaukee — without Jim and Sue. JP Milwaukee gave my family and me a sense of coming home… That sense of nestling under the wing of God in the midst of His people is what I’d lived for all my life. A big thanks to God’s dream, to your Mom, and especially at this time to your Dad.
Dawn (Herrin) Mortimer
Resurrection -- er, actually make that "Charity" before Wendi or John Herrin -- at Benton Harbor
It was a coffeehouse concert event where I answered the call to a new life. The Sheep played and shared testimony then a robust bearded man said no matter what you have done or what has been done to you you can be a new person with a new life, a different life. It was like an arrow piercing my heart. I could hardly keep my composure and sought refuge in the ladies room to settle down. After a big gulp of water and a look in the mirror I walked out thinking never to return to that coffeehouse. A christian sister, Arlene tapped me on the shoulder asking me if I wanted to talk. That was in September, 1971. I have been serving Jesus since then. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Rev 12:11 NIV
Sincerely, Wendi Kaiser
I am sorry for your loss, May the Lord be with you all. Even though i never met Jim personally I have lived in all three of the groups that began because of His calling. [Rosalie refers here to Christ is the Answer, Highway Missionaries, and currently Jesus People USA. -eds]
Rosalie Johnson
Lonesome Stone after return to US, possibly in Ohio ('73?)
He was a radical lover of Jesus.
Frank McAvinchey
Cast of "Lonesome Stone" in 1973
Your dad had a great impact on the lives of thousands of people, Jed. Because of ministries like HMS, Milwaukee Jesus People, The Sheep, Lonesome Stone… and of course Servant. So many people came to know Christ. Servant wouldn’t even be playing at Cornerstone had it not been for your father.
Eric Odell
Jedidiah, thanks for keeping us informed. I am very sorry to hear about his passing. He was loved & appreciated by many & his influence was widespread. I have fond memories of him at the Catacombs Coffeehouse in Seattle. His leadership was important in the early days of the Jesus People movement there. My prayers go out to his wife, Jo. She was the first person who ever boldly witnessed to me about Christ, back in high school.
Allow me to join Doug and Robert from the then-Seattle area group in offering condolences and an expression of deep joy at Jim’s VICTORY in Christ. I remember a speech he made at the Catacombs in 1970, entirely extemporaneously, commenting on the contrast between dead institutional religion and a relationship with God. As he spoke his emotion and the depth of his feeling rose gradually as his reasoning culminated logically. It is not, he held forth, the trappings of religion, the forms of worship nor the archetecture that ecoes our reverence that makes a “church.” ~ “I have erected a temple to my savior,” he triumphed, his voice at nearly full volume in his intensity, “and that temple IS ME!” James Palosaari 1939- 2011, a warrior in the battle for the souls of men.
Doug Parris
Sue Linda and I still remember those good times when we had the priveledge of having you and your family on the YWAM base in Honolulu and trading Jesus Movement war stories. You both were a great encouragement to me in those days.
Danny Lehmann
We thank God for allowing you to be part of our lives, a great influence in our family, and in the lives of many, many others. We will see you soon, Brother Jim!
Cindy Brady
Jed. We received with sadness this afternoon information of your father’s passing. Sandie and I have many fond memories of the work we did together. Your father led me to Christ, and I am pretty darn sure there would not have been a community or a band without his inspiration. He was truly a pioneer.
Owen Brock
Because Jim and Sue and your team came to Davenport my brother is in heaven….. because you came I am in the ministry……. hundreds will be in heaven… blessings to all see you soon!!
Daniel Scalf
Met Jim in the UK during the Lonesome Stone days. Incredible man …
David Shaw
I will always appreciate the work he did introducing so many to the light and love of God through Christ. I shed tears as do the many, yet knowing he is doing more than fine!
Lisa Redmond Irons
(We encourage more folks to comment here on Jim’s impact on their lives!)
Blessings Jon and Carol thanks so much for this and thank many of you for coming to Davenport in 1972. Because you came my brother is in heaven…… because you came I am in the ministry….. Our brother Jim is in that great cloud of witnesses….. walking the street of gold!!!! no good byes ….. see you soon!!!!
I met Jim back in the 90′s in Elgin, IL at the old wonderland studios and spent many wonderful hours with him reminiscing over the growth and development of the Jesus People Movement. Indirectly, Jim was responsible for my Ebay Persona “JulieMillerFan” … it’s a funny story.
I had grown to be friends with a girl named Heather who was the manager of a local Used CD / Tape shop in the Springfield Mall (Dundee, IL). Though this militant atheist generally chased Christians out the door, she and I could and would talk on religious matters regularly.
Heather called me up one day and told me — “Some guy just brought me in about 200 – 300 Christian Music tapes and wouldn’t let me say “NO!” to him. Wayne, come to my store, take them, I don’t want them.” I had no idea what to say… I went and she gave me the whole box for $5. I took them home and shoved them in a closet — they were all Christian Alternative / Metal tapes… not my kind of music.
6 months later I was working 4 jobs to make ends meet and my car needed a repair I couldn’t afford. In prayer I yelled “WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, LORD???? I don’t have more time to give to another job.” Quietly the Lord answered “Try Ebay” and reminded me of those tapes sitting in my closet.
1 tape from that bunch sold for $150 (a demo tape by The Prayer Chain) paying for my car repair and propelling me into Ebay full time for the next 9 years.
Those tapes….. were Jim’s collection from the Wonderland offices. I thanked him for it later… but wow, what a blessing it became.
Jim was a personel friend of mine and my wife Kathaleen since 1984. I knew Jim a few years prior to my marriage. Jim and I have kept in contact throughout the years in the good, bad, and sad times in our life. Jim was the real deal, a true friend who loved everyone, including his burgers and Diet Pepsi. Even this year Jim and I talked about setting up a festival featuring Christian artists of the 70′s and 80′s because of our backgrounds, but we know now our Father had better plans. I love Jim and miss him terribly, but my memories of Jim will always be good ones and I look forward to talking to him again one day soon. I love you my brother, enjoy your time in eternity, you deserve it!
We will certainly meet with brother Jim on the other side…He was an important part of my spiritual growth as a young Christian. I joined forces with the Milwaukee Jesus People soon after I became a Christian. Jim, and the Milwaukee Jesus People had a significant impact upon my life. I praise God for the way that He used Jim in the lives of many people…helped us to get on the straight and narrow path. We will see you in glory, brother Jim!
Donna Ramponi Wells
I miss the Jesus People days so much. I have so many fond memories. Everyone loved Jessica so much. It was a turning point in my life. Jim & Sue were so wonderful to me and Jessica, I am eternally grateful for everything they did for us.
They rolled into Milwaukee, Jim and Sue, in an old van they were living in. My husband, Jay and I had our first encounter with hippies! They spoke at the Milwaukee chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen, and Jay and I loved them! Through the years we have been close friends, part of whatever they were doing at the time, employers (Jim worked for us in the office furniture business for a while), and their most loving advisors/critics. Sue – it would be nice if you wrote a book about your lives. Jim may be the only hippie whose life we have a record of from beginning to end. No one could write the story the way you can.
I will miss Jim. He brought a whole “culture” into my life that I probably would have never known – and I’d have missed all the joy and adventure the Jesus People movement brought to my life and to my family. I wish all of us could go to as great of a reward in heaven as the one that was waiting for Jim.
In 1982 I toured with SERVANT (and front group – PETRA) on their WORLD TOUR. Jim was the leader of the SERVANT band and the greater SERVANT Community called the Highway Missionary Society. I am so appreciative of JIM for the vision in hiring Sam Smith and Heavy Light to do the multi-projector visuals for that tour. You will be GREATLY missed Jim!!
I’m forwarding this from Fred Gartner. Wow, can he write:
Concerning Jim: We all were influenced by Jim. His thunder rolled down from the mountain tops and we picked up the ball and rode on electrical horses down the mountainside, stopping to tend the poor, to feed the hungry, or maybe just leave a warm coat behind to protect some lost soul from freezing…
From coffee houses to the full fledged multi- media production of Lonesome Stone, not only the poor, but kings and a few knights stood behind the curtains, smiling their approval. Such was the influence of Jim Palosaari, a natural born orator and wit, not without his own personal demons. Gone now from us.
One of the things I remember, (Of the many things he told me) happened when I was studying for my part of “The Bear” in Lonesome stone. Jim was watching the rehearsals and I was studying my lines. Jim called me over “for a chat.” He said to me, “Never be afraid to make a fool of yourself on stage.” If, (He continued) Your afraid of making a fool of yourself on stage, you just might miss that part in your character that’s golden and you will be good, but you will never be great. Well we lost a great one today, gone from us, or….
Is He???
Listen the next time there’s a thunderstorm, Is it darker? Does it roll more loudly then before? Does the earth tremble? Maybe it’s Jim and the gang having some laughs, playing a little bowling ball …
Fred Gartner
My Brother, Stewart, and myself were shocked to hear of Jim’s passing as we knew him when we had worked with Lonesome Stone UK and Germany. Could you please pass on my email address on to Fred and any other cast members as we both lost touch over the years? If they remember amything of the australian connection back then, I would really like to renew our friendship. Thanking you
Max and Stewart
I would be glad to make the Australian connection with you. Thinking of you, and the times with the Jesus Family and Lonesome Stone. Jim lived with me for several months 1 1/2 years ago.
He still seems to be with us.
In Christ
Larry
Jim challenged us to live the book of acts. He led the way as he preached and taught across a great many miles….both here and Europe. We started each day gathered in Bible teaching and singing. It was those early days that taught us something about living out our christianity. We learned to be accountable to each other and worked hard at living pure lives full of love. We were united by a desire to share the hope of the gospel which had transformed our own lives.
some wonderful conversations with Jim; laughing about some of the crazy situations we found ourselves in back in the day. Knowing him lately as a friend, not a leader, has been a bonus. I am sorry he has left us.
I just had to add this lengthy and thoughtful facebook post from Dave Hoyt, whose journey through the Jesus movement was a singularly painful one:
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REMEMBERING MY FRIEND JIM PALOSAARI – dave hoyt
Jim was called and appointed by God as an important voice in the Jesus People Movement. He was a sinner, received into God’s family by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. Jim was refreshingly not religious! He was anointed by God with a vision beyond his ability to accomplish alone. Thankfully, God placed a wide variety of committed, dedicated and gifted Christians around him who helped bring this vision into reality with help from above. Others were grafted into this outreach vision as the ministry expanded.
We created, worked, shared, dreamed and walked together as life-time friends. When I was a shell-of- a-man, broken by the loss of my 1st family into the Children of God cult I met Jim. He knew of our stateside ministry prior to this fiasco and was deeply concerned. Stranded and wounded in England, Jim and Sue, along with others who became the ‘Jesus Family London’ reached out to me. Jim called me the ‘ghost that walked’—making reference to our first meeting when I was pale, in shock and still grief-stricken by the cult ordeal.
Jim understood what pain was about; welcoming, accepting and leaving room for God to bring healing. I felt no pressure, was afforded amply space, was offered opportunities to use my gifts as able – and experienced the warmth of something real – ‘centered in Jesus’ – that bonded me into a spiritual family that cared and loved each other. For this display of tangible human compassion – I’m continually thankful!
Kenneth and Pauline Frampton were my friends – my ‘Good Samaritans’. Jim & Sue and the Milwaukee team were like the ‘Inn Keeper’ who cared for me and others that entered this new British ministry.
God did things in England that amazed us; carrying us on the wave of His Spirit – opening a wide-door of ministry as ‘Deo Gloria Trust’ partnered with our vision to share Jesus through creative outreach that was before its time.
By phone, email and personal visits in San Francisco, Southern California, Nashville, Huntington Beach and Wisconsin we connected on a heart level. Jim was recently our home guest in New Mexico for a few days and our dialogue was always honest and open. No façade or delusions of personal importance. We talked about our desire to keep doing better with God’s help and impact our world. Jim confided, repented of sins, acknowledged failures, discussed overcoming habits and dialogued on a variety of current and eternal topics in an authentic manner.
Jim had faults – like each of us! Yes, he didn’t eat right, exercise, or take care of himself as he should have. And, he was impatient and demanding at times – BUT he was warm, generous and loved people genuinely. He had a personality and heart as huge as life – loved a good laugh and enjoyed the simple things of life like a meal and a quality visit with a friend. He was good hearted and loyal as the day was long – honoring long term friendships. His favorite food was a plain hamburger, no seasoning and nothing but the two buns. I can hear Jim ordering this as if he were beside me now. “No mayo, ketchup, onions, lettuce, pickles, or seasoning – just plain!”
Jim, like Jesus, saw potential and giftedness in people and he encouraged them to use their abilities and talents in God’s kingdom work. He enjoyed seeing others excell. He remained unattached to material possessions – caring more about relationships.
Over the years, Jim experienced devastating grief over the untimely death of Seth, his divorce with Sue, the death of his late wife Susan and the death of his companion dog, ‘Sam’. More recently a handful of former members of the Highway Missionary Society leveled an unrelenting attack on Jim which caused extreme anxiety and health related problems for him. The way this was carried out by a HMS committee was beyond doubt one of the most hurtful of Jim’s life experiences — mainly because of how it affected his children. I will address this matter at another time.
As the years unwind – I say, “Give me something that’s genuine.” I’m not impressed by spiritual terminology, fabricated or exaggerated stories or miracles, self-righteous judgments that omit the accuser’s sins. I know the Bible, better than most. I want the truth, mixed with mercy, forgiveness, compassion and grace. If there is no ongoing grace – it’s not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! Who could stand – if all our sins were brought to light before God and man? I’m thankful that two sinners like Jim and I met, shared in ministry and life’s battles, remained friends and continued in our loyalty to our Savior Jesus Christ.
I’m confident of this; when I pass from this life to the next – Jim and I will walk together as friends with a swifter and healthier stride and talk about new things in the Kingdom of God. Perhaps we’ll be fitted in eternal armor, riding the clouds on kingdom stallions and invited to take part in a battle against the forces of evil. In awe, we’ll realize more clearly than ever – the mercy and greatness of God, the vastness of God’s Kingdom, and reverence the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords – Jesus Christ who died for us – so we might inherit eternal life. We’ll have transitioned from mundane – to real Life and say together, “Praise Be To Lamb of God – Jesus Christ and to the Father – forever and ever!”
I’m forwarding a poem Owen recently shared w/me, for my boys and daughter: “Jim”
From the book Given, Collected Poems by Wendell Berry
Part 4: Sabbaths: 1998-2004
Sabbaths: 1998
IV
The woods and pastures are joyous
in their abundance now
in a season of warmth and much rain.
We walk amidst foliage, amidst
song. The sheep and cattle graze
like souls in bliss (except for flies)
and lie down satisfied. Who now
can believe in winter? In winter
who could have hoped for this?
VI
By expenditure of hope,
Intelligence, and work,
You think you have it fixed.
It is unfixed by rule.
Within the darkness, all
Is being changed, and you
Also will be changed.
Now I recall to mind
a costly year: Jane Kenyon,
Bill Lippert, Philip Sherrard,
All in the same spring dead,
So much companionship
Gone as the river goes.
And my good workhorse Nick
Dead, who called out to me
In his conclusive pain
To ask my help. I had
No help to give. And flood
Covered the cropland twice.
By summer’s end there are
No more perfect leaves.
But won’t you be ashamed
To count the passing year
At its mere cost, your debt
Inevitably paid?
For every year is costly,
As you know well. Nothing
Is given that is not
Taken, and nothing taken
That was not first a gift.
The gift is balanced by
Its total loss, and yet,
And yet the light breaks in,
Heaven seizing its moments
That are at once its own
And yours. The day ends
And is unending where
The summer tanager,
Warbler, and vireo
Sing as they move among illuminated leaves.
Jedidia, Sue and all those who were ‘family’ to Jim – my heart is with you.
Here’s another, this one by Dylan Thomas, which so exemplifies Jim’s spirit, even in his declining years still preaching (now sitting on a stool) the message of Jesus and discipleship…
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
…Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Sue, so interesting you’d mention that one. Here’s what I wrote about the same poem as it related to my own father’s death this past February:
http://www.wilsonstation.com/?p=777
The recent passing away of jim polasaari was and still is heavy on our hearts. What a strong blessing he was on our lives to this day. We remember when we first met him after joining up with Jesus People Of Milwaukee in 1972. The words he shared with the brethren were truly an inspiration. He will be greatly missed. After almost 40 years of marriage next year, I believe the words he shared with Dawn and I will last forever. We love you Jim.
Last week, Sophie and I scattered some of Jim’s remains on the grave site in Grants Pass, OR, where Seth is buried. Larry dug a hole; we put some of Jim’s remains to the right of Seth’s gravestone, marked it with a white stone. I’ll go back later and get it inscribed. We placed flowers and blackberries on the graves in remembrance of the many berries Jim, Jed, Cody and Seth once picked for blackberry pies.
Sophia scattered a portion of his remains in the nearby Applegate River. As she let go of them they created a puddle of scattered gold light from the afternoon sun, it lingered a moment around the rocks at her feet, then slowly drifted downstream, a gray trail of dust following the tug of the water.
Enjoyed the reminisce… remember my dad leaving on a plane to Sweden in ’72 (brought me back some coins), only white kid in a black kindergarden just down the block from the commune in Milwaukee… would love to see some pics of the Bass family (Frank, Phyllis, Me, etc.) if anyone has any-we were the last family staying in the old hospital-the rest went to Chicago and we went back to Duluth
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and fllutaess is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. _ James 1:27If we as The Church practiced this, Obamacare would not have any traction at all. Great post, thanks!
Thanks for the thumbs up on the post. And of course the government and church could each contribute to the betterment of poorer persons’ lives. One needn’t cancel out the other.