Rest In Peace, Jerome

 It's hard to know what to say about this man.  I net him very soon after meeting Belle.  He and his wife, Patricia, were Belle's best friends in the whole world.  The year before I met Belle, she, Jerome and Pat had toured Europe together.  They had worked together, played together and were long-time friends.

Jerome was a highly educated an, a native of Waco, TX, he held a PhD in education.  He spent the first part of his career working with mentally challenged and at-risk youth.. He retired from education as soon as he was able, and turned his energy to other pursuits.  He was an auctioneer, and had a deep love and appreciation for antiques.  He always had a project going, refurbishing his old home, which he brought back to near museum standards in beautiful antiques. He got involved in community service, and ran a political race to become the mayor of Pollock, LA, his adopted home town.  He served in that capacity for seventeen years, with  a huge list of accomplishments.

To say that he was interesting was understatement.  He once bought a Rolls Royce online, and drove it around town, until it tried to kill him when the brakes failed.  Then, he sold it where it sat, and bought a Toyota.  He loved auctions and was proud o having sold at one point, gold-painted cow manure.

When he realized, as mayor, that the city property taxes cost more to print the tax notices and collect than the town received in revenue, he put together a proposal, and .abolished the town property taxes.

He loved to dance.  Ballroom dancing.  And he was good at it.  He had no mechanical ability whatsoever.

Most of all, he was a good friend.  Generous to a fault, always seeing the good in people.  

His wife, Patricia, preceded him,  We lost her two years ago.  He mourned her mightily, and talked of her constantly.

We're going to miss him.  He was a constant in my life for the past nineteen years, and a frequent visitor and companion.  He was a regular guest for our Sunday lunch gatherings, and shared the meal with us last week.

Rest in peace, Jerome.