James "Jim" Layman's Obituary
Our precious Jim went to be with our Lord on June 19, 2021. He is at peace after an eight year battle with Lewy body dementia. While born in Kentucky, his final earthly home was in Texas with Sarah. Sarah’s favorite nickname for Jim was Jimmy Boy, though she had a long list of nicknames she called him from time to time. The nickname caught on and family members also knew him as Jimmy Boy.
Jim loved God. His young life was difficult, but as an adult in the Air Force he influenced many with his testimony of salvation after an airplane crash in Alaska. Jim found many ways to show his love for God through his ministry of service. He started a bus program in the church he attended that introduced hundreds of young children and their parents to Jesus Christ. He then went around the country holding conferences that helped other congregations establish bus ministries in their local congregations. He served as a foster parent to numerous children and eventually adopted one of those children, Jeff, as his son. While living in Texas, he became aware of the program of collecting cola tabs to help pay the living expenses for parents staying in the Dallas Ronald McDonald house. He enlisted the help of others at Christ Church Irving and delivered thousands of tabs.
Jim loved his family and others and gave freely of his time and resources. He once saw a grandmother and her grandchildren playing outside in the Texas summer heat. He stopped to give them cold water and grapes. They became like family to him and his Christ Church home group who found various ways to bless them.
Jim loved sports, but Kentucky Men’s Basketball was his greatest love. One of his greatest opportunities came when Sarah’s brother purchased tickets to the NCAA final four game in San Antonio in 2003. Kentucky won the championship and his beautiful smile stretched across his face with each remembrance.
Jimmy Boy is eating his Blue Bell Ice Cream with chocolate syrup in Heaven! We love you, Jimmy Boy.
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