A Real Loss

My hubby aka Jim, Mountain Man, Big Jim, Poppie, Honey died suddenly in my arms on Dec 19th. We enjoyed a lovely Christmas with much of our family. We went from home to home having Christmas over and over again.
He hadn't really been sick, but was suffering with arthritis in his knee he injured in football when in high school. We almost lost him back in 1999 after a heart attack & MRSA infection in his chest-complications from his triple bypass. Then again 4years back when he developed pickwichian syndrome, a syndrome named for Pickwick of Charles Dickens fame, developing obesity, somnolence & obstructive lung disease. He was using oxygen all the time and could hardly get around.
You see Jim weighed in at about 500 pounds. Then one day he decided to get gastric bypass surgery and became a trim 254 pounds @ 6ft 2in.
In his younger years he was quite an athlete, becoming ALL STATE in Football, Wrestling & Field & Track. He garnered a full scholarship to Northwestern University, but due to surgery & illness was unable to complete that endeavor.
He went into The Army Security Agency and served in Japan during the Vietnam Conflict. It was during this time we met-he was visiting his then girlfriend, who was a classmate of mine in nursing school.
We married when he finished with the army & I had completed my nursing school.
We lived in Colorado for the first 2yrs of marriage, our first dau was born there.
We moved back to NJ in 1970, our second dau born in '72. We would have been married
40 years in March.
He had a strong interest in education and seemed like he went to school most of our married life. He obtained an Assoc Degree in Nursing from Atlantic Community College, BS in Theological Studies @ Philadelphia Biblical University & then @ 62 just months before his passing, he completed his Doctorate in Theological Studies from Cantebury University.
He loved our move to Florida and his motorcycle. He also enjoyed woodworking.
I think the most precious in his life were his grandchildren, he wanted to teach them so many things! Also was his sincere love of the Lord & the bible.
I am having some difficulty with taking this all in, but I had him 10 years longer than I thought I would have back in '99. He was a GOOD man! A good hubby & friend. A good parent & grandparent. I am sure he is resting in peace, as he should be.


CARVER, JAMES L., PH.D., 63 - of Safety Harbor, FL, and formerly of Rosedale died on Monday at his residence in Rosedale. Born in Craig, Colorado he lived in Rosedale for 39 years before moving to Florida. He was an US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Carver was a register nurse having worked at John F. Kennedy Hospital in Cherry Hill; Ancora State Hospital; Kessler Hospital In Hammonton and Meadowview Nursing Home in Williamstown. He also formerly worked as a Colorado State Patrolman. He was a member of the Riders of the Lamb motorcycle club. Mr. Carver is survived by his wife: Jacqueline A. Carver (nee Wooton); two daughters: Melanie Ann Carver of Safety Harbor, FL; Shannon Marie Connors of Mt. Airy, MD his mother: Eva Grace Carver of Golden, CO; one sister: Karen L. Vogeler of Golden, CO; one brother: Lance Craig Carver of Browns Mill; four grandchildren: Kenneth James Connors; Elizabeth Mariah Connors; Michelle Leigh Connors and Daniel Jackson Connors. Memorial Services will be held Wednesday 11:00am in Victory Bible Church, 816 S. Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, where a visitation with the family will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am. Memorial donations may be made to Mt. Airy Christian Academy 16700 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771. Arrangements are by the Carnesale Funeral Home, Hammonton, NJ.

Published in The Press of Atlantic City on 12/30/2008