Happy Birthday, Julie

My other most precious child is having her birthday today. Jim would have sent her an inappropriate card and she would have loved it and shared it with me. We would have chuckled at his 'bent humor'. He would have been delighted to have found the perfect card. Jim is now our guardian angel and I know he wishes Julie a great day. Keep looking out for us, Jim ....we both need you.

Happy Birthday, Julie
with much LOVE,
Mom and Jim

Messages from some of Jim's good friends ~ He was definitely loved..

i think of jim all of the time. i keep the program from his funeral on my mantle, i keep the t-shirt you gave me folded up right beside the program, and i constantly listen to the "doors" and think of him.please don't forget that i truly miss him and would always like to know when special stuff like this goes on...your friend malcolm

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Although I won't be able to attend the get together for Jim, he will surely be on my mind. This tragedy hit me pretty hard, and I'm shocked that no news has developed regarding the case. I can only imagine how tough this past year has been for you. Jim was an amazing person and a dear friend who had the uncanny ability to make me laugh. I think of Jim all the time, especially when I hear a Doors song or see a chicken tender from Burger King (he loved those!).I don't get back to Michigan very often these days but next time I'm there I would love to meet up. I have some great stories about the times we had together as well as some pictures you would enjoy seeing. If there is ever anything that I can do for you, let me know, I'd be more than happy.- Ben

Hi Joanne,Thank you very much for thinking of me. Jim and I were very close for a long time, and I have countless fond memories of my time spent over at the Westlawn house. One that comes to mind right now is of when you caught Jim and I playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the Nintendo while wearing tinted ski goggles at some dark hour of the morning... It was long past our bedtime, and you were not pleased. Ha! I suppose now would be a good time to say thanks for opening up your home to me and making me always feel welcome. Looking after all of us was no small task, and you were definitely a second mom to many of the kids in the neighborhood, myself included.Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to make it back to Michigan in time for the 11th. Otherwise, I would definitely attend. Jim has been on my mind a lot in the last year. It would be wonderful to see you again and look through old photos and tell stories. Despite not being able to make it, I will certainly keep Jim in my thoughts on the 11th. Thanks again for thinking of me. It means a lot. And all things considered, I hope you are well.All the best,Karl

Dear Joanne,Jim and I weren't close friends in high school, if we hung out it was usually with a group of people. But we did hang out a fair amount the summer between 8th and 9th grades. One of my good friends is Jennifer, Josh's girl friend. However, Jim was always someone I thought fondly of. He had an amazing smile and an even warmer heart. He was someone that was always nice to people and sometimes in high school that was hard to find (especially in guys). When I heard of his passing I felt that I needed to be at his viewing to pay my respects to someone who truly deserved recognition. I also wanted you to know that your son made an impression on me and others. In fact, many of my other friends that I still keep in contact with who live out of town were shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's passing. Jim was someone who EVERYONE I know liked. I hope you feel some happiness in knowing that he was well thought of by many of us, even if we weren't close friends of his.I can't imagine the pain you must feel with the loss of Jim. As you know, I have two little boys who mean the world to me. I can't imagine losing one of them. My heart aches for you, just thinking of how you must feel. I hope you find the person(s) responsible for Jim's death and I hope that he/she is punished for his/her actions. -Lynsey

MISS you Jim!!! - from Jim's cousin Tami

I will never forget the surreal phone call one year ago. I still have a hard time believing that it was true. One year ago..... How can such a sweet, kind caring person be taken away from this world. What cold, callous HEARTLESS being could take him away? They do not deserve to take another breath. Jim you are TERRIBLY missed. I look at all the pictures that I have of him on a regular basis. I will NEVER forget that silly spring horse that he loved so much and the sounds it made as he rode it everywhere....or his Big Wheel. I will never forget the sweet smile and those eyes. That curley blonde hair he had as a baby.......SOOOOO cute. Going out for pizza.....just cheese please. Getting joy from simple things..... Jim we were not close in our "adulthood" but that did not take away from the heartwarming memories/feelings we all shared. I cannot imagine the sorrow your mom and sister feel daily. If I lived closer I would HUG them tight and tell them that we will all meet in heaven! I feel he is looking out for us! Thank you Jim for being you.....it was an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to be related to a "gentle" man such as YOU!I LOVE YOU!!!Cousin Tami

April 10, 2009 - the last day of "a year ago"

Recently it hit me that soon I would no longer be able to say, "a year ago I talked to Jim; a year ago I saw Jim..." No more a year ago anything about Jim as a live person, as tomorrow it will be, "A year ago Jim was viciously murdered by some unknown person(s)." Harsh words, I know. Harsh thoughts, too. But it is what it is and I am so saddened.

This past year when I've found myself at my lowest, someone always comes along to say just the right thing to bring me back up. It is truly amazing - the support system that both Julie and I have. I really appreciate all of Jim's friends, my personal friends, Julie's personal friends and my wonderful family for their constant love, support, prayers and kind words. It helps me and Julie more then anyone will ever know.

I have invited a bunch of Jim's friends to the house tomorrow to celebrate Jim's life. I hope it will be healing for Julie and me - my heart says it is the right thing to do. We will place the stepping stones back out in Jim's memorial garden and tell great stories about Jim. I know we will laugh and most assuredly we will cry, but it will be nice to visit with those who grew up with Jim and loved him so much.

Please remember Jim tomorrow and always.

Love, Joanne (Jim's MOM)

From another of Jim's high school friends...

I think about Jim often and I always put your family in my prayers. I will light a candle on that day to honor Jim and his life and I thank you again for the invite.

Love and hugs, Rachel:)

Ps. When I think about accepting people for who they are, and living life to the fullest, and not caring what other people think of me, I think of Jim.

And I'll never forget the pancake story that you shared with Jim's loved ones. That was wonderful!!

From one of Jim's many wonderful high school friends

I can't believe it has almost been a year already. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Jim. I wish we had stayed in contact over the years but he has a special place in my heart and always will. It was so much fun growing up with him in the neighborhood, we all had such a great time together. My favorite thing to do was go with he and Josh to the huge hills by hannah middle school and ride skateboards down while one of us watched for cars at the bottom. I of course sat on my skateboard though they tried to get me to have the courage to stand up. There are many great memories. I hope to see you soon. Thinking of you guys today and always!

Sincerely,
Lauren Rodgers

A wonderful friend of Jim's wrote this yesterday

IN MEMORY OF JIM BOWERMAN
Yesterday at 3:57am
MARCH 24, 2008 is the anniversary of the last time I spoke with my friend, my brother, Jim Bowerman. Jim was murdered APRIL 11TH, 2008 in his apartment in North Miami almost a year ago. I'll never forget the phone call. Jim called late as usual because he was always on Miami time, 3 hours behind Las Vegas time. I was at work when I received his call, I remember looking down at my phone and seeing Jim's name. I was surprised and happy to see it was Jim, because I hadn't heard from him since the New Year, 3 months earlier. You see, my 2008 started off with a call from Jim, and I'm glad he called! I remember looking at my phone and not recognizing the phone number, but I answered it anyway. It was Jim. Prior to this call Jim and I hadn't been getting along, we were good friends, but we fought like brothers. Again I was happy to hear from him....I remember telling him I didn't wanna fight anymore, we both agreed to put our differences behind us, and we wished each other a Happy New Year. And, to this day I am so happy he called.... Jim Bowerman definitely had one of the biggest hearts...a heart of gold...and that conversation meant the WORLD to me. Now it's MARCH 24, 2009 exactly one year later...the last time Jim and I talked. Like I said earlier he called late on his regular Miami time. I remember answering my phone and saying Danii is pregnant. As I was laughing, he said what...and I said Danii is pregnant. The reason it was so funny to me, was because she was standing in front of me, and she just told me not to tell anybody. I can still hear Jim's laugh, and if you knew Jim, he had the goofiest laugh. So funny! It was that conversation that he told me he was moving back home to Vegas in about a month. I remember telling him, it was about time. and that I couldn't wait to see him. I wish I would of known that was the last conversation I would ever have with Jim Bowerman...I struggle quite a bit with the realization of never talking with or hanging out with my friend ever again. I still can't believe Jim has been gone for almost a year. I just wanted to say...Jim you are never forgotten, but always missed. we had some good times brother. There's no doubt in my mind, you are your mother and sister's guardian angel, and you know I wouldn't leave Angie out. I know how much you loved her.
JAMES W. BOWERMAN January 11, 1981 - April 11, 2008 he had a heart that cared completely and a smile that brought such pleasure, he shared a love that brought joy beyond measure and will be forever remembered as one of lifes great treasures.