Rev. James W. Fletcher

Jim and I were roommates at Barrington College sprig semester 1961. We had lost contact, I was just looking for friends from college years when I came across this obituary. May God bring comfort to you who knew him well.

I was so fortunate to be able to attend Jim Fletcher’s Celebration of Life via streaming the service. Thank you so much for having this option. Being in Florida, I miss special services like this and am so grateful for being able to be part of it. Tom & I knew Jim Fletcher as our wonderful neighbor for 30 years. He was the best neighbor ever. So many of the traits highlighted in today’s service, we witnessed as his neighbors. He was so kind, funny, helpful, insightful and just a great all around guy. One memory stands out. Tom & I had a U-Haul hitched to my Edge and we were trying to back it out of our driveway at 4:30 in the morning. Needless to say, we were not being successful. Our voices, I am sure, woke Jim & Paula, as their bedroom windows bordered our driveway. After 30 minutes of trying & as our voices getting louder, Jim came to our rescue. He asked us if we would like him to back out our U- Haul hitched to our car. We said yes, and licketry split, he backed it out in seconds! Another wonderful service he provided for us was: he snowplowed our driveway & walkway for every snowstorm for over 12 years! And, if that wasn’t enough, he always was out snowblowing early enough for me to get to school on time! When one of our steps of our back porch gave way, Jim to the rescue - he repaired it in no time. And, the vegetables that were harvested from his garden were a real bounty for us. Another memory was conducting the funeral services for both of my parents - he showed his compassion when talking with the family to learn more about them. My parents were Catholic & he meshed their beliefs with his (Jim’s) faith so effortlessly. The readings and songs of the service were beautiful. The 2 Robert Frost poems read by his sister Barbara highlighted Jim’s sense of adventure & his view of his later life. The memories by his 2 oldest grandsons, Chris, Peggy & Rev. Carolyn were the best. Recurring themes occured in each: kindness, strong faith, sense of humor, helpfulness, love, care for one another, value of hard work, always share especially to those less fortunate, treat everyone with compassion, and justice for all. Chris’s WWJD (What would Jim do?) along with Peggy’s “It Will Be Fine” gave a wonderful recap of some of the many experiences, Jim’s sense of humor and adventures with their dad. Rev. Carolyn (sorry, I didn’t catch your last name), talked about Jim as a friend & colleague. The “push the limit” examples gave insight to how Jim thought and lived. I learned more about Jim through this service. He was a man who encouraged others and believed in honoring the past but not be bound by it. Jim inspired others by the way he lived his life. Jim has left an amazing legacy and we can honor his legacy by continuing to be kind, compassionate, loving, serving justice, all with a great sense of humor. I always referred to Jim as Mr. Fletcher when I was talking of him. Mr. Fletcher is no longer with us physically, but he will live on in our hearts and remain alive in the stories we tell of him. A wonderful man with a wonderful legacy. RIP, Jim. Paula & Peggy - when I return form FL, I am taking you two out to lunch - I want to hear more stories of Jim. Nancy & Tom Chard

Jim was there with faith and good humor for three important passages of my life. He married our daughter Kathleen and presided over the funerals of my parents. He was also a wise and helpful colleague. I am grateful to him in many ways, and I will miss him.

I will never forget Jim and his special humor-filled love and wisdom he gave so freely. He was a truly great human being, and assisted our family in baptism, marriage, and funerals. He will be a shining star in Heaven, for sure. My deepest condolences to Paula, Chris, Peggy, and the extended family. I will continue to hold you all in prayer.

Dear Chris, Barbara, James and Nathan,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Bob and Darlene Grass