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James E Souder

1937 - 2019

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James E. Souder Jr posted a condolence

Saturday, April 20, 2019

My Dad's Eulogy 4/17/20019 Good Afternoon: My family would like to thank everyone for attending today’s life celebration of our beloved father James E. Souder Sr. Immediately following the Entombment all are invited to the luncheon at the Mad Batter on Jackson Street to share your stories of my Dad. My father was an only child, born to Sara and Jack Souder on Feb 26, 1937. Dad would spend his youth going to the Phillies and A’s games at Connie Mack Stadium. He knew every player on the starting lineup for both teams, including the only person to play for both teams on the same day: the organ player. So, with that in mind, lets round the bases with my Dad. On Deck Circle, My dad lived with his dearly loved Aunt Grace in Philadelphia and split his summers in South Jersey with his Grandparents, Marietta and Joseph Souder. His first passion was playing baseball. You could find my Dad honing his skills on any baseball diamond in the Delaware Valley. He was invited to play for the Baltimore Orioles. He would go on to coach the Cathedral CYO baseball team, which won several championships in the late 50’s. At the Plate My parents got married on June 20, 1959 in the Cathedral. As a man who’d started out his life alone, as an only child, on that day, my dad inherited 6 brothers, 6 sisters and 16 nieces and nephews. Welcome to the crazy world of the Valley Family. When my Dad met my mother, his whole life changed forever. Their love for each other would span 6 decades, and they would never spend a day apart, including his final days. 1st Base My Dad’s 2nd passion was fine art and decorating. You most likely didn’t know my Dad’s art work is all over the country. He graduated from Philadelphia College of Art and The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He served as President of the Philadelphia Watercolor Club and The Society of New Jersey Artists. He taught watercolor painting for the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts and often spend his weekends judging art shows. We his family are honored to have his art work adorn our homes. Dad was also a member of the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades for 50 year, as a painter, manager and business owner. You’ve all seen his work around the city, from the Ben Franklin Bridge to the King of Prussia Mall. 2nd base I was born in May of 1960 and over the next decade, my parents gave me 4 siblings, Steven, Susan, Carolyn, and Christopher. Our parents sent us all to catholic schools. This took a herculean effort by our parents to provide us with this Christian foundation. 3rd Base From my Dad’s first visits to Grandmom’s Valley’s summer place in Wildwood, to the family reunions, to dinner parties at Patti and my house, the adventure began anew when Madison, Sydney, Andy, and Tyler entered his life. My father spent countless hours and endless memories with the kids, and they brought him incredible joy and pride. Home Run For those of you who knew him, you know he was a family man, painter, and sportsman. But if you were lucky enough to know him like I did, you’d know that doesn’t even scratch the surface of who he was. He was a sportsman of the highest caliber, he was your number one fan. It an awe-inspiring feeling to have someone who believed in you so much. You could get that job, you could ace that test, you could hit that home-run, because you were special. And although he’s finished this game, and has come full circle from player, to coach, to hall of famer, he’ll still be cheering us on. Our number one fan, helping us believe every curve ball that life throws at us can become a grand slam. He was a painter, he was an artist. He taught us to see the world in more colors than we could have ever imagined. He planted special bushes in his garden just so that my mom could see the dragonflies she loves so much. He planted upside-down tomato trees so he could make “Grandmom Sandwiches” with his granddaughters. On his last day, he sat watching golf with my sister Susan and pointed out the azaleas, remarking on how pretty they were. Even in those moments, his life was one of beauty. There was an art to how he lived his life. He was a husband, he was a southern gentleman devoted to his bride, and making her feel like the most beautiful, loveliest woman on earth. Daily, simple moments of adoration were his first instinct. Although there were countless examples of them, my first thought is of a little napkin, on which he had drawn palm trees and crocodiles, and wrote, “Good morning, Orange Blossom. Enjoy your cup of Joe!” As promised, next to it was a fresh cup of coffee, almost completely white with creamer, just the way his bride of sixty years likes it. He was a mentor, he was an architect of character. Meeting him was to feel, special, and appreciated, and to be raised by him was to be guided by a new standard for compassion and love. Whether it be my passion for hockey, Sydney’s knack for singing, or Andy’s love of football, my Dad would be beaming, completely and utterly overjoyed by the mere fact there was something in our lives that made us happy. That kind, and that magnitude of love is something no one could ever deserve, but one he was so effortlessly willing to give. Grand Slam When my Dad passed, I felt very alone. That is, until, I laughed with my sisters. I smiled with my mother. I joked with my nieces and nephews. In a time of darkness, I saw the stars. I saw him. I felt his spirit as alive as ever, because he lives in me. He lives in you, and the person on your right. The person on your left. He set an example for how to love: unconditionally and whole-heartedly. He taught us to be a number one fan, to a stranger, to a loved one, and to yourself. He redefined what it meant to be a father and grandfather. He could make you feel so easy to love. He made you want to love more, and love deeper, just because of the way he did it. My Dad lived his life teaching us God’s 2 greatest commandments. Love one God and Love one another. This is his legacy. This is what we celebrate today. Look around. This is who he was. (Show Dad's Picture on iPad) Look who's face timing me It's my Dad What's up ? You want me to read your text message to everyone ? Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, I've only gone to rest a little while. Although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt and given me relief. So dry your eyes and remember me not as I am now, but as I use to be. Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile, Understand, in your hearts, I've only gone to rest a little while. As long as I have the love of each of you, I can live my life in the hearts of all of you

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Samy and Sara rabinovic posted a condolence

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Dear Jim, We are very saddened by your loss and are keeping you in our thoughts through these difficult and trying days. May your father’s wonderful memories ease the pain you feel bring you and your family peace . Samy and Sara

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Kelly & Joe Bresan posted a condolence

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

There are no words to describe your loss. Our heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Your family will be in our thoughts & prayers. With deepest Sympathy, Kelly, Joe & Brooklynn Bresan

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Kim Capie posted a condolence

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

My deepest condolences to the Souder Family.

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Jim Souder lit a candle

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

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