My Grandpa

On Saturday, March 8 my phone rang a little after 7:00am and it was my Dad calling, which immediately had me worried...he is much more of a texter and when he does call it's not at 7am.  That morning my Grandpa had passed away.  It was the news I was dreading...we knew it was coming, as his health was failing, but you're never really prepared to hear it.  I had gone to visit my Grandpa about 3 weeks before and it was so hard to see him that day, he couldn't talk, but did smile as I walked in the room.

I am SO, SO lucky to have SO many amazing memories of my Grandpa.  He was such a wonderful man.  Our hearts just break that he is no longer with us, but our hearts are so happy that he is in heaven with Grandma and "himself" again.

These pictures are from the Easter Seals dinner in October when Grandpa was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement award for all of his work with Easter Seals.  I was SO proud to be there that night and now even more so.

Thanksgiving 2013

The last precious picture I took of my Grandpa from Christmas Eve.  He was a very proud University of Delaware alum and LOVED his Blue Hens.  The kids and I picked out this sweatshirt for him...the 2nd to last time I visited him it's what he had on and our last words to each other were "I love you."  We have this sweatshirt now and it will be so special to us forever.

Thursday night was the viewing and the family was able to go to say good bye before everyone else...I can not tell you the peace I felt being able to kiss him one more time and talk to him.  Keith and I were both so glad we were able to do that.  Reagan went to the funeral with us on Friday, which she really wanted to do.  She was such a good girl and was giving everyone hugs to help them feel better.  Jamie was very sad and she went right over to her to hold her hand during the service, it was precious and might have added a few more tears!

Grandpa was just such a great man, we will all miss him sooooo very, very much.  As a friend reminded me, he left an amazing legacy behind and isn't that life is all about?!  So very true!

His Obituary:

James F. Kearns

AGE: 85 • Greenville

James F. Kearns, age 85, of Greenville, DE, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Stonegates.

Jim was born in Cleveland, OH, son of the late Allen and Mildred Kearns. He graduated from P.S. duPont High School in 1946 and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in 1950. 

Jim worked for the DuPont Company for 41 years. He began his career in 1950 at the Waynesboro, VA textile fibers plant. During this assignment he met his love, Rita Lawless. Jim held various positions, in sales, marketing business management and sourcing, spending the bulk of his career in the Textile Fibers Department. In 1988 he was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President and a member of the DuPont Company Executive Committee. He retired from DuPont in 1990. He was especially proud to have been a third-generation DuPonter.

Jim generously volunteered his time and skills to helping others. He was a past member of the Boards of the University of Delaware, Philadelphia University, and the Independence School. He also was a member of the Board of Christiana Care Health System, as well as the Chairman of the Board and Founding Director of Exceptional Care for Children, a skilled nursing facility that serves technology-dependent children and their families in Delaware. His interest in helping the disabled and their families was a source of Jim's particular devotion to his work with Easter Seals of Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore, where he served as Chairman of the Board and was honored with both the National Easter Seals Volunteer Award and, in 2013, the Delaware Easter Seals Lifetime of Service Award. 

Jim was an avid golfer and card player, who cherished taking a few bucks from his friends on the course or at the poker or gin rummy table. He was also a proud and diehard Phillies and Eagles fan. 

Jim is predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Rita Lawless Kearns, his brother Donald and his grandchildren Matthew and Molly Connell. He is survived by his daughter, Patti Connell and her husband Larry, of Hockessin, DE; sons James F. Kearns, Jr. and his wife Linda, of Hockessin, DE, and Thomas G. Kearns, of Lincoln University, PA; grandchildren Ryan (Megan), Ben and Spencer Connell, Emily and James Kearns III, Stephanie Kepplinger (Keith), Jamie Lee and Michael Kearns; and great-grandchildren Logan, Landon and Reagan. He is also survived by his friend Judy Sullivan.

The family would like to thank the amazing people at Stonegates who so lovingly cared for Jim for the last four years. They would also like to thank Jim's many friends whose visits and calls brought great joy to Jim in his final years.