Jim Suggs Funeral

Jim Suggs’ funeral was Monday. Jim gave me my first real job out of college, at his gasket company in Doraville. I worked with Rob and Jim Jr. and was friends with Steve and Joe in choir and camp. Watched the famous Rick Camp home run at Jim’s house. Wore Steve’s tux when I took Cathy Stevens to the Walton prom at the Georgia World Congress Center. When Jim sold his company to Klinger of Sidney Ohio, they closed the Doraville operation in June 1987 – right after I had bought my first house, and had gotten engaged. Landed my job at Ryerson Tull the next month, and have worked there ever since.

About 70-ish in attendance. Since they were headed to the cemetery after the service, the family accepted guests beforehand. I arrived over 30 minutes early but stopped to talk to Drew Kelly, Barbara Brown, Mary Ann Hall, Deborah Light, and Juliann Watts on the way to the back room. Saw Mrs. Weldon, who recognized me from Reid's birthday party.

Spoke to Rob and Steve, and made my way over to speak to Jim Jr, who I’d missed talking to at Joe’s funeral. Dock was there, as well as Clark Davie and Ginny Green. In the sanctuary beforehand Ginny and I had a long chat with Bob and Patty Lamb. Said hello to Ashley and Diane Corbitt. Saw Blake McBurney. His hair is almost white, but I still recognized him from behind by his distinctive hairstyle.

During the service all three Suggs boys spoke. Jim Jr. spoke of how his father had given him direction, signing him up for a Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends and Influence People Training Course. Jim Jr. made a friend, who introduced Jim Jr to his future wife. Rob delivered a very eloquent speech about how he connected with his father over Sunday School lesson prep. How his dad got his start into Bible teaching, how sharing about what the disciples had done after the crucifixion so energized him, leading him to teach Sunday School for over 50 years. Steve told a story his dad driving through the front yard to run off a herd of horses that had escaped from a nearby farm, and how family was so important to his dad, and how well Steve and his brothers had always gotten along.

Spoke with Deborah Light after the service. She may very well be working in the same department with Will.

Left SPdL and stopped by High Country to surprise Anna. She stepped out of a meeting to say hello. Brought a nive Titleist golf cap in the perfect shade of blue. Two bucks. A little small on my huge noggin, but it will work.

Hall of Famers who once played for the Toronto Blue Jays:

Player                    TOR Years.. HOF

Roy Halladay.........1999-2009...2019

Rickey Henderson 1993............2009

Fred McGriff...........1986-1990...2023

Phil Niekro..............1987............1997

Dave Parker............1991............2025

Scott Rolen.............2008-2009...2023

Dave Winfield.........1992............2001

Roberto Alomar.......1991-1995...2011

Jack Morris..............1992-1993...2018

Paul Molitor.............1993-1995...2004

Frank Thomas.........2007-2008...2014

Bobby Cox...............1982-1985

Pat Gillick.................1978-1994

Denison: whether the issue is abortion, adultery, divorce, pornography, euthanasia, illegal immigration, or a host of other moral concerns, we should not expect a secular society or secular government to guide itself by biblical morality. How is this secularism working for our culture? It’s not just that we disagree about right and wrong—secular people no longer believe there is such a thing as right and wrong. This has implications for our nation. As 18th-century philosopher Edmund Burke noted, “Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.”

Guidelines to follow…for older people.

Don’t start every conversation with a complaint.

Don’t shrink your world to your living room.

Don’t become the neighborhood watch. Live your own life.

Don’t let technology become your enemy.

Don’t judge young people for being different.

Don’t let health issues dominate your personality.

Don’t stop trying new things.

Don’t let your opinions be written in concrete.

Don’t give up on your appearance.

Don’t stop planning for the future.

Choose curiosity over judgement, connection over isolation, growth over stagnation.