Our Poppy

Yesterday morning one of my favorite men in the world passed away. My Poppy, James Ridgeway Pardee.

He was always kind, strong, funny and sweet to me and to everyone who ever came across his path.

He is honestly my hero and has been my whole life.

Tomorrow I head out to Colorado to be at the celebration of his life. I am lucky to have my sister Shannon to go with me. The drive will a a loooooong one.

When I think of him now, I can see him doing a perfect jack knife dive off of the top of his house boat into Lake Powell. It makes me smile.

Here is a copy of his obituary. If I was given the task to write it, I know that it would be a million pages long.

James Ridgeway Pardee, 84, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at his residence in Rockvale, CO. James was born on September 6, 1923 in Waukegan, ILL, to Curtis and Sophie Hinigher Pardee. Jim was raised in Englewood, CO and worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. Jim served in the Army during World War II in Europe. After his discharge, he resumed his career at Mountain Bell and retired after 37 years of service. In addition to being a very devoted father, husband and friend, Jim was an avid sportsman. Jim enjoyed many happy hours hunting elk, riding his horse and fishing on the river.

On May 26, 1977, Jim married Betty Linam Nelson. Jim and Betty lived in Aurora, CO, Kanab, UT and Rockvale, CO. Jim is survived by his children: Kathleen (Carl) Wade, Parker, CO, Karen (Neil) Kasperek, Aurora, CO, James R. (Carla) Pardee of Larkspur, CO, Robert (Sherry) Nelson, Evansville, ILL, William Nelson, Everett, WA and Brian (Penny ) Nelson, Widefield, CO, 15 grand children and 20 great grandchildren. Jim was preceeded in death by his parents, brothers Joe, Dodge and Robert, sister Evelyn, and Helen Eberhardt Pardee, mother of his children.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Jim's Life on Saturday, March 15, 11:00am until 2:00pm at his residence. Memorial denotations may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, P.O. Box 1796, Canon City, CO 81212. Cremation by Holt Family Funeral Home.

Heaven is lucky to have you Poppy. I love you.