November 26, 2007 10:41 pm
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‘... A hero because of the life he lived’
A hero was buried in Kokomo Saturday.
He was a World War II veteran whose battles and campaigns occurred in the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was even honored by the French government for helping liberate France from Nazi rule.
These things alone are enough to qualify him as a hero, but I didn’t even know this information until after he died, even though he was my neighbor my whole life.
No, I call Jim Commodore a hero because of the life he lived.
He loved his wife and daughters and was dedicated to being the best husband and father he could be.
He was a man of faith who had a strong relationship with God and with his church.
He was a man of integrity who understood and lived his life by the Golden Rule.
He was a man of responsibility who took pride in his property and always kept his yard well-manicured and looking nice.
He was a man of dignity and humility, putting others first and never drawing attention to himself.
I have fond memories of seeing Jim working in his yard. I remember seeing him walking his little dog, Mack, through the neighborhood. Even when his eyesight began to fail, Jim continued to take his walks; he just shortened them to going around the block instead of throughout the neighborhood.
I will miss the greeting Jim and I would exchange; I will miss his smile, his laugh, his wisdom. I am sure that in his nearly 92 years of life, many people were blessed by Jim’s love and his life.
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I thank God that I had the blessing of growing up in the “village” where Jim Commodore lived.
If I could talk to Jim once more, I would thank him for the example he gave to me, my family, our neighborhood.
I would thank him for the love he showed his family and the love he showed to all of us.
I would tell him that he has no idea the impact he has had on my life and the lives of my family.
I would tell him that I will never forget him.
Jim Commodore was both a gentleman and a gentle man. I would tell him that, too.
Requiescat in pace, Jim; rest in peace. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Yes, a hero was buried in Kokomo Saturday, and I cried.
Chuck Jansen
Kokomo
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