Stories
Jim ("Dad") and I had a lot of different interests, but we had so many good times, and we thought alike. Dad liked fishing, while I would groom my poodle and watch the kids. He liked to cook and I would play the piano. One sport we liked to do together was skiing! Once in Yosemite, we rented a bicycle built for two. I got scared in the back and tried to turn the steering wheel, but turned Jimmy's seat instead. I quickly turnedit back after I realized the bike wasn't turning. We had a good laugh about that one!
I’m anxiously looking forward to the day when we will soon be together again in the new world of righteousness when we will be young and in perfect health, my dearest Jim, my love.
— Rose Kahn, wife
I will miss my father immensely. I have so many fond memories with him! He was a wonderful father, the best ever!! He took our family on an annual 1 or 2 week camping trip to Pinecrest Lake. I have such amazing memories from those trips. I appreciate all that he did for us for those trips, now that I know how much preparation work is involved! His favorite thing on our trips was fishing! He’d take us all with him to the beautiful rivers in the Sierras to find the best fishing spots. He’d also leave the campsite to go fishing before we all woke up, then come back early enough to cook a delicious breakfast for all of us!! He taught us all how to build beautiful campfires, then we would all play our ukulele’s and sing around the campfire. ❤️
I will miss you Daddy, thank you for a wonderful childhood and all of the precious memories you created for our family.
— Diane Zertuche, daughter
I’ll always remember the great sense of humor my grandpa had. Ever since I can remember, my grandpa and I had special nicknames for each other. Whenever I arrived at their house, he would call out “Hi there, Funny Face!” or “Hi, Bunny Rabbit,” to which I’d respond “Hi, Silly Grandpa!” It never seemed to get old to him, because he’d always smile or laugh, or even feign shock.
When I was little, I had the privilege of spending a lot of time with both my grandparents by myself, but especially grandpa. Before I was in school, he would watch me during the day while my parents and my grandma were all at work. We’d go to the park or the pet store, we’d watch Animal Planet or he’d put on cartoons for me. We’d tend the garden and he’d give me ice cream as a reward for pulling up weeds. When it was time, we’d drive to pick up grandma - always early, of course, so she wouldn’t have to wait.
Both my grandparents were always a shining beacon of what it meant to have a strong, loving relationship. Throughout my life, I watched them tend to each other’s needs. Sure, they’d have small arguments sometimes, but even so, they always fought with love. It was clear that it was very important for the other one to be happy, no matter what. My grandparents showed me what it looked like to have a beautiful, happy and successful marriage. This year in May 2022, they would’ve been married for 69 years.
— Ryanne Burciaga, granddaughter
I remember being able to just sit in a comfortable silence whenever we were tired without any awkward obligation to chat. Every time my family and I would visit grandpa and grandma, he would make me banana pancakes every morning, always happy to feed his loved ones. And every time, I would tell him I’m allergic to bananas, but it didn’t really matter because it was still a really sweet gesture that he made me breakfast.
— Tierra Phalan, granddaughter
I grew up far away from grandma and grandpa all my life and some of my fondest memories as a little girl were when they would visit Texas. Grandpa would always play with my sister and I! Whether he had to play pony or dinosaur, he was down! He would always ask if I wanted candy and then he would give me a cough drop. The common joke with grandpa was to ask ‘Can I bite your ear?’ Or ‘Can I bite your toe?’ Grandpa was one of the funniest people I knew when he was just being himself. Like at my uncle's wedding, it was sunny outside! The next thing we know, grandpa is putting up this big pink Victoria's Secret umbrella in the middle of the ceremony for some cool shade. Since he was blocking the view for others, we had him put it down, then back up it went. We finally had to put a hat on his head for shade! We all laughed so hard!! Grandpa was so funny but he was also so sweet, if I sat next to him at meetings he would always hold my hand for songs and prayers. I will forever hold these memories like he would hold my hand. Till we meet again sweet potato!
— Holyce Phalan, granddaughter
I came into Jim's (Dads) life late in life, when I started dating his son, Daryl. Dad was already in his 80's. A few months after we got married, Daryl and I moved in with Mom and Dad to help out. There were several ups and downs (mostly ups) in the six and a half years of living with Mom and Dad. I loved how happy Dad was, and how much of a good time he seemed to be having at our wedding. I also remember all the times I came home and when Dad saw me gave me a big smile and hug. Dad's other big thing was making sure we all ate. He'd always say eat, eat, or what should we have for dinner. Lots of times, however, Mom and Dad ate before we got home from work. The last couple years our relationship got frustrating and tough. My role as care taker took on a new meaning as I fought with Dad to eat, take his meds and take care of himself in general, eventually turning into him needing more and more help. As frustrating as that may have been, I have the greatest memories with Dad. I came home from seeing a friend the day before he passed. He had been sleeping for almost 32 hours and not really responding to anyone. I went over to Dad, put my hand on his shoulder and said "Hi Dad." He opened his eyes, looked at me and said "Hi!" We did this one more time. Those were the last words he spoke. We all miss you, Daddy!
— Dana Kahn, daughter-in-law
One summer camping trip in the 70’s, we were using our fiber glass canoe to go fishing in Pinecrest lake. This was a canoe, which Dad bought that was sold in (2) halves, that Dad and I fiberglassed into a complete canoe. The Smiths joined us on this particular camping trip. Don Smith was a big man. Dad decided to take Don out fishing in the canoe. Dad got into the canoe near the shore, and Don Smith got into the canoe as well. They did not get more than about 12 feet from the shore, and the canoe looked like someone had just pushed it straight down, as the canoe was completely submerged. Everything in the canoe, including Dad and Don, were completely soaked. Dad just came up out of the water and didn’t say a word, and just just smiled. It was the funniest thing you ever saw, and the expression on Don’s face was priceless.
— Daryl Kahn, son
One of my funniest memories of Grandpa was captured in a picture. I had just graduated from San Jose State University and was enjoying my graduation party with my friends. As we were gathering to take a group picture together, Grandpa walked right in the middle and put his arms around our shoulders. My friends and I laughed, but were happy to have him join our picture! My friends loved my grandpa, he was very kind to them and enjoyed their company as much as they enjoyed his. He always loved talking to and meeting new people and always made new friends anywhere he went.
— Rishelle Zertuche, granddaughter
I have always been inspired by dad’s love for cooking, or rather his love for feeding others. I often remembered him painstakingly roasting whole turkeys in his lime green weber grill, whipping up big batches of yummy persimmon cookies or banana pancakes and once he even had us all make delicious homemade Chinese pork buns together! In fact, dad volunteered for food service at all the assemblies & conventions that I can remember and truly gave us a legacy of the best life ever!
— Debra Phalan, daughter
I will never forget how one time while on a family vacation I took Jimmy golfing for his very first time. On one particular hole there was a flock of geese grazing on the green in the distance. He took his swing and it was a beautiful low drive which smacked right into a gooses’ belly, it bellowed & honked (awwhk) upon impact but fortunately survived. We couldn’t believe it- it was the funniest thing I’d ever seen!
— David Phalan, son-in-law
We have always appreciated your friendship. Rose you and Jimmy were one of the kindness and loving people we have ever met. We enjoyed the many times we spent in the field ministry with you and Jimmy, and the many gatherings at your home with all the friends, you were always so warm and generous. We look forward to the day when we can all get together again and enjoy life forever on paradise earth. We pray to Jehovah to give you the strength that you need during these difficult times. Philippines 4: 13 We love you, you are in our prayers.
— Irma & John Paredes, friends
My Dad loved to cook and bake. He would make peanut butter cookies and showed me how to score them with a fork. He also loved his persimmons and would always slice them up and hand them out to us. He’d make the most delicious persimmon cookies! My sister, Debbie, inherited his cooking and baking skills and hers are always amazing! But, I will always miss my Dads persimmon cookies and seeing him cooking in the kitchen. 😓
— Diane Zertuche, daughter
Like most little girls, I always tried to imagine my wedding day and how wonderful it would be. I’d wear a beautiful white gown and walk down the aisle to a song from my favorite princess movie. What I didn’t know was that I’d also have the special honor of walking down arm-in-arm with my grandparents Rose and Jim, a task they very happily agreed to!
The weather had spiked to over 100° that day, and halfway down the aisle, I noticed Grandpa pulling away and leaning to his left. Unsure of what was happening, I tried to keep my composure and focus on making it to the end of the aisle. I didn’t realize it in the moment, but he was on the verge of having a heat stroke. Thankfully, my father-in-law jumped up to help escort Grandpa to a spot in the shade as we finished our walk, and he turned out to be alright. Looking back at the pictures, I saw that he had a big, wide smile on his face, ecstatic to be walking his oldest granddaughter down the aisle at her wedding. I’ll never forget how lucky I was to have that experience.
— Ryanne Burciaga, granddaughter
