Thursday, August 10, 2017
I just now learned of Jimmy's passing as I was doing research on the history of St. Philip. I knew Jimmy for close to 70 years. My earliest memories were when Jimmy 'hired' me. I lived on Huntington Blvd., half a handful of houses from Michael's Bakery which was on the corner of Huntington and Williamson Road. I'm not sure how it started but I remember well to this day what my job description was. The instructions were simple. Jimmy would sit me in the front window of the shop, supply me with a stack of flat, unfolded bakery boxes, and a plate of freshly baked-cookies. I don't remember if there was an 'official' box to cookie ratio, but I wanted to be fair so I would fold many dozens of boxes before I finished the dozen cookies on my plate. It was a wonderful job, no taxes were taken out, the pay was instantaneous, and except for maybe adding a pound or so, it was a safe and healthy work environment. St. Philip benefited from Jimmy's interest and work in helping to create the church. I was 14 at the time and I was also a charter member along with my Mother and Dad (Cline and Alice Mundy). We all sang in the choir together and he was always an exceptional gentleman, with a sense of humor and a boat-load of artistic talent. Some years later I witnessed a very serious auto accident and was asked to appear in court to relate what I knew. The police officer on the case was none other than Jay Michael, whom I hadn't seen since he was a toddler. I remember the family (including Jo) with great fondness and now knowing that Jimmy has passed makes our friendship all the more poignant. May you rest in peace, Jimmy, in the arms of our Lord, as you were always a good and faithful servant.
