I would like to give my memories of Jeff, or "Jeffrito" as we called him sometimes:  

          Losing Jeff was so difficult for me and I still, after the
years, always want to shop for him at Christmas time and send him a card on his birthday.   It took two years before I stopped going toward the phone to dial and tell him something that was going on in my life.  Jeff cared about people and was a fantastic listener--he was so generous and caring.  He was there, I am sure, for so many with that loving care that he had when in contact with a friend.  Friends and former coworkers came from states away to his memorial service, all speaking of his giving nature and kindness. 

          I personally always felt that the world was a better place after talking with him.  We would go a few months and not talk on the phone but then one of us would call and it would be a three hour  marathon.  After an hour or two, we would hang up and the other person would dial back to break up the cost. 

          I always think of how talented and gifted Jeff was. My cheeks usually hurt after being around him because of laughing so hard!  He could perfectly capture the voice of a celebrity or family member or friend. I used to think he would have been able to be a success doing stand-up had he chosen to give it a try. 

          For a time, he considered cartooning as a career, also being
talented in art.  During this period, he befriended the office managers
working for Charles Schulz. He would send flowers, call them and talk briefly. After a time, he  was invited to go and spend an afternoon with Schulz himself.  Marshia Ream (now Hill)  and I always had a special place in our hearts for the Peanuts characters along with Jeff and we were thrilled, jealous, and impressed.  Jeff was on cloud nine after this for quite some time, as Schulz gave him some of his work and also gave Jeff feedback on his sketches.

          Jeff was accomplished on piano, self taught, and, again, able to recreate any composition he heard by ear -- and also gifted to create original compositions.   I remember him telling the story that a person could sign up to use the piano in the basement level of the library when he still lived in Lima.  Once,  as he was leaving after his time at the keyboard,  another guy who had been waiting for his turn and sitting on the steps listening asked Jeff where he had attended music school.  The gentleman was very impressed with what he had been hearing and surprised when Jeff explained that he was self-taught and just "messing around." 

          I could write a book about my dearest friend.  When you grow up with someone from third grade on, it is such a treasure!  You can both refer to anything in your  life and not have to explain.  The best wish that I could give anyone would be to have even just one friend as dear as Jeff was to me. 

          His mother had moved in with him for the time between his father's death and his own, and he had renewed his habit of attending traditional church with her. As a teen and young adult he had followed the Bahai faith (remember Seals and Crofts?)  He had renewed his Christian faith and had said to me in a phone conversation shortly before he died "What would we do without Jesus?"   

          Indeed!   

          It will be so fun to someday see him again! 

          We  love you, Jeff!