Jim L. McIver
"First I wasn't, then I was, now I ain't again."
Jimmy L. McIver passed peacefully in his double-wide palace, in order to take a seat in the great recliner in the sky. Civilians will recognize him as the corrections officer battling societies most dangerous criminals, while his grandchildren will recognize him simply as "Grampa Jim", who regaled them with laughter and wildly inappropriate stories, some of which may have even been true.
Some say he began his rise in eastern ID, born on January 11, 1952 to Jack and Dorothy McIver. After besting the mountains of Idaho as an avid hunter, fisherman, and explorer, he shifted focus to the salt lake area, working in Primary Children's Medical Center, and eventually becoming a peace officer for the Utah State Department of Corrections, where he received the Governor's Medal Of Valor. Twice. For real.
Retiring from the state in 2007, he accepted a position as the World's Greatest Grandpa, which he held until his demise on March 23rd of 2015. He'd spent the last several years growing out his hair in order to donate to locks of love, "just 'cause". He treated everybody he met with friendliness, respect and admiration, making him a favorite amongst passersby and grocery store clerks. He was a coot, a legend in his own mind, and triumphant at maintaining resilience in hopeless situations, a skill he learned as a life-long Cubs fan.
He is survived by five siblings, Duane, Arlene, Jack, June and Dennis; the mother of his children Mitzi; his children Ian and Patrick and their awesome wives Jen and Lynzy; his grandchildren Calais, Decklan, Ainsley, Ripley and Cache; his dear friend Sue; and countless other nieces and nephews, colleagues, friends and relatives. If you knew him and needed something, it would get done.
Some say he died, some say he went back to the mountains, some say he's up there still. He would most certainly say "Oh well, bula bula."
An open house will be held in his honor on Saturday, March 28th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East Salt Lake City. All are welcome.