Celebration of Life for James Allen Lippold
An Opportunity for Wisdom & Healing
For the Dying (Jim) and
For Those Who Live On (You)
March 23, 2022
James Allen Lippold passed on March 26, 2022
Watch Video Recording of Celebration of Life
Jim’s been dealing with two cancers and a serious heart issue for the past two plus years and has recently been diagnosed with an esophageal cancer that has metastasized. The doctors expect this to be a terminal condition where there are no curative treatment options available.
Jim has chosen to share this journey openly with others in the belief that we might all learn valuable and powerful lessons by engaging in this process together as a community of friends and family.
Death is humbling and unpredictable where one often has little control over what happens to the body and mind. However, sickness and death create powerful opportunities for learning, deepen the meaning of life and can make suffering worthwhile.
Therefore, Jim is hosting this in-person and virtual Celebration of Life event.
Agenda
During the event you have permission to just watch and observe or to participate as you wish. You can share a favorite quote or brief reading or give a eulogy. Please keep your remarks under 5 minutes, be focused, personal, conversational, uplifting and possibly humorous. You’re encouraged to write down what you’d like to say, introduce yourself & how you know Jim and to share anecdotes and stories.
Please RSVP if you will be attending in person or virtually and let us know if you plan to do a reading or give a eulogy. (RSVP Details will be provided on this page soon.)
Jim has prepared a visual timeline of key milestones in his life and will read a narrative of his life story and legacy from the heart – knowing that memory can be flawed and that it is “a relative of the truth, but not it’s twin.”
We hope that this “service” will be of service to you in your journey of life and your journey of death.
Resources
These documents will open as PDF files in a new window or tab. You can read them online, download to your device or print them as you wish.
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Jim was a member of the Class of 66 WCHS. As is with many, we lost touch over the years. Found out later that we lived in Denver and Washington at the same time. . I’ve followed his journey the last few years and admired his courage. You and your stories will be greatly missed Jim.
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Jim you are at home. See you there.
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So much admiration for how Jim chose to deal with this journey. We went to high school together. A truly sweet guy.
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Jim took all of us along on his medical journey as he related a near play-by-play accounting of the steps & procedures of his challenges, & he narrated a very reasoned & measured analysis & reaction in, almost, excruciating detail. Through it, all along the years, he met each new diagnosis & option with a subtle & thoughtful narrative. Though I found it difficult to read, at times, I came away with an understanding that Jim respected the gift of life, even if it is so very fragile. Farewell, My Friend.
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As I’m watching Jim’s video on a sunny day in Florida at my sisters house on Saturday. I have been told that Jim has left us for his next journey. Jim was married to my sister, they were childhood sweethearts. Our family had wonderful trips to Colorado and beyond with Jim and Sharon, my sister. I have not seen Jim in many years but he will always be in my heart. Jim will be so missed.
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Jim, what a wonderful service. All of the people spoke to your kindness and compassion. I may have been your supervisor but you have taught me about how to die and face death.. thanks so much and you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you continue this journey
Margaret Roath
I am so glad we reconnected .
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Jim, Rob and I have so enjoyed your friendship over the last twenty years. We will treasure the camaraderie, memories, laughs, & stories. Til we meet again. Love Always, Sari and Robert Shepard
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I will remember my Cousin Jim for his outrageous sense of humor, his loving care of his mother, (our Aunt B), and love of animals. As kids growing up a couple of blocks apart in Woodstock, Illinois both my cousins could be counted on for cooking up something interesting to do that could possibly get us all in trouble and we loved every minute of it!
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Jim was a true gentleman. He would be patient with Lynn and I as we played with his toys. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace Cousin Jim.
Love, Scotty Lippold.
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Jim – You are amazing. I am so thankful to know you. Your courage through your journey is uplifting and inspiring.
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Celebrating you, Jim, treasuring that our journeys crossed later in life, initially as colleagues, soon growing into a trusted friendship. We’re inspired by your curiosity, open sharing, enriching reflections, wild humor, and appreciation of curry! Your loving and caring soul remains a forever beacon for us. Adventure and peace dear friend, forever …
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Hello, Jim. You have created an amazing life on this small earth; I know that your spirit will continue to live on forever. We went to the same church, Presbyterian, in Woodstock. and I remember how energetic and loving your mother was. You inherited her charm and have delighted your friends and family your whole life. While we have lost touch since graduating from Woodstock High School in 1966, Jim Ogle has kept our class together.
The most beautiful way to face death is to live life until the end and that is what you are doing, Jim. I have a Peanuts cartoon on the refrigerator and the same cartoon in my office at MCC. Charlie Brown and Snoopy are sitting on a cliff, overlooking mountains. Charlie says, “Some day we will all die, Snoopy.” And Snoopy answers, “True, but on all the other days, we will not.”
Peace to you and your family, Jim. I am very thankful to you for sharing your life with us.
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I met Jim in elementary school, probably first grade. In those days, at Dean Street School, there was only one class per grade, so he, another 25 or so, and I traveled together for our first five years of formal schooling. At one point, there were four Jim’s in our class – Jim Lippold, Jim Overly, Jm Tarpin, and me. I don’t remember why, but in one class or grade the four of us were assigned seats right behind each other. That is, we formed a column from the back of the room up towards the front. If I recall correctly (no guarantees after 65 years or so), Jim’s mother and my mother formed our initial Cub Scout den. We would meet alternately at my house and then at Jim’s. There were only four in our den, but I can’t recall the names of the other two. I also remember our dads taking us on a Cub Scout camping weekend at Camp Lowden near Oregon, Illinois. One last bit of trivia: Jim’s older brother is named Bob as is my younger brother.
Sadly, as time as flown by, I’ve only seen Jim every ten years or so at our high school class reunions. I’m grateful for the stories he’s told us on Facebook concerning his life and his plans for the afterlife. He’s the bravest of our class and certainly the most inspiring.
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Jim you are one of the most awesome people I have ever met. You are wise, intelligent and kind. You possess a sometimes outrageous sense of humor. I will always remember you with a smile on my face.
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I have known Jim for 50 years. We have done a lot of great things together.
I will miss him a lot.
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Jim was my best friends cousin and I’ve known him my whole life. I sort of adopted him as my own cousin since I had none. I have many fond memories of family gatherings and will always cherish his wisdom and friendship
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Jim and I were best friends in high school and I have a memory to share from that time. Also, having been to Paris, the street scene he created would be very meaningful to me, or something similar.
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I won’t have a comment prepared for some time. To say something valuable in five minutes takes several weeks! I met Jim fifty-six years ago; lots of mental/emotional catalogues to review and then find spontaneity.
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Jim who?
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Dear Jim
You are source of inspiration to all of us. ❤️
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See you soon Jim.
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Jim, I am sure I will have something to share about you but will need to think of what I will say. You know I would love to have the Paris street scene painting. Will see you there.
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As his roommate for 3 years when we were in our 20’s, I can say that Jim is one of the more influential people in my life. A few years older than me, he was the big brother in many ways, that I never had. He taught me to be more introspective and less reactive in life. We took some trips during our time together, solved all the problems of the world as only 20-something’s can and had a lot of fun. Jim, you are a terrific guy and, as always, you are teaching the whole lot of us some great lessons with this process.
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Thanks for all you’ve done for me, Jim. We’ll miss you.
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As his older brother, I have know Jim his whole life so I should have some stories to tell.
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Dear Jim,
Your unfailing courage and strength will always be my inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey with me; what a privilege. Enjoy Bessie, she is beauty.
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I am still processing if I will be there virtually or in person. And still processing my comment……Yes I would like either of the pouches on the right. I like the picture on the left….:) Love you, Karen