Memories and Birthdays

"Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but some how feeling warm inside because you're close in heart." -Anonymous

Today marks what would have been my brother's 58th birthday...that is if my math is correct. But the age doesn't matter now because he is ageless in time now having passed away just over a year ago.

It really doesn't mean a lot to those that didn't know my brother. It really only matters to those that did. But what matters to everyone is that we remember those we love and lost.

The stories we have of lost loved ones should be passed down through the generations. The fun stories, the loving stories and the serious ones. We need to explain and let the younger generations know who they were. A link to the past provides understanding of where we are going today.

My brother had a lot of stories in life. Some of those stories are heart breaking and hard ones to tell. But many more of those stories show a man redeemed and full of greatness.

The same stories are inside each one of us. They are stories and memories to be passed down to our children, grand children and more. Even in death the memory of 'us' can serve as guideposts for those still living their natural lives.

So today, March 15, is a day in which I can still say, "Happy Birthday John" and many more. Love you, miss you and most of all, thanks for ALL of the memories.

Remembering a Brother

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -Heraclitas

It was on January 4, 2011 that my brother John passed away. It was a day that came as a sudden and unexpected life event. It was a day that changed so much in the life of his wife Karin, son Taylor and daughters Ali and Liz. It also changed the lives of many people in his adopted hometown of Gillette, Wyoming.

Even though life changed that day for everyone that knew my brother, each of us hold the memories of life with him. We replay those moments in which he entered, impacted and moved through our days.

So while we "nor the river" are the same for having encountered John, each of us can hold tight the memories in our heart. In my life, I will always remember and love him. So it is that I delight in listening to the music my brother John loved so much. It was not the only type, genre or group, but one that he did enjoy.

Stay inspired my friends.

John August Primm

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~Dr. Seuss

Three Generations
Taylor, John, Gpa Bill

Funeral services for John Primm will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ernie Bishop of the Church of Christ officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2011 at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Mr. Primm, age 56, of Gillette, Wyoming died on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at his home.

John August Primm was born on March 15, 1954 in Fremont, Nebraska the son of William and Rose (Gale) Primm. He was raised and educated in Nebraska.

Upon his graduation from high school he entered the United States Army and was stationed in Key West, Florida. He married Karin Klein on June 8, 1985 in Deadwood, South Dakota. The couple made their home for a few years in Rock Springs, Wyoming. As the manager for Anthony's Department Store, John was transferred to Gillette, Wyoming in 1988.

After its closing John worked for Big Horn Hydraulics, Hanover compression and was currently employed for Dry Fork Mine as a parts manager. He enjoyed playing pool, riding his Harley and collecting memorabilia of many different things.

John’s passion was playing golf, he never passed up the opportunity to play and had made many great golfing friends. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Gillette Country Club.

John is survived by his wife, Karin Primm; son, Taylor Primm both of Gillette, Wyoming; daughters: Ali Cordova-Winters of Gillette and Elizabeth Campbell-Jones of Gigharbor, Washington; father, William Primm of Fremont, Nebraska; six grandchildren: David and Aspen Farmer, Kelan, Sophia & Willem Winters of Gillette and Emma Curtis all of Gillette; brothers: Joe (Laura) Primm of Buford, Georgia, Jerry (Linda) Primm of Omaha, Nebraska, Jim (Helen) Primm of Fremont, Nebraska and Jeff Primm of Fremont, Nebraska; sister, Pam Primm of Fremont, Nebraska as well numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose and sister, Patty.

Memorials are suggested to benefit the Gillette Country Club. Donations and condolences may be sent in John's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.

Visitation

Friday January 07
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Gillette Memorial Chapel
210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WY 82716

Funeral Service

Saturday January 08
10:00 AM
Gillette Memorial Chapel
210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WY

"The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity." ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca

One of Milt’s Signs

The following is a reprinted article from my book CHANGED LIVES. Many people had already figured out that the "John" in the story was actually an older brother of mine.

John passed away on Tuesday, January 4th at his home in Wyoming. It is never easy especially when one doesn't have the chance to say goodbye. But John would have told me to shrug off the sorrow and get on with it.  That much I will do and in memory of him, here is his short story of change.

~~~~~

I graduated high school in a small rural eastern Nebraska town with very little knowledge of the "world" and could not wait to escape the confines of what I viewed as an oppressive environment. I believe in those days that I had a failure complex and felt that everybody and everything in life was slanted against me. I was constantly fighting the system and trying to prove I was right and all else wrong.

That in itself was bad enough, but it was somewhat harmless except for people's perception of me, which at that age is not much of a concern. What happened after high school was personally disastrous to my life and many around me for too many years.

I entered the Army at age eighteen and left it at twenty-one, a much changed person, a change that left many relationships with friends and family in ruins. I could cover all the gory details and recount the particulars, but I prefer to just say I was a miserable failure for quite a few years and blamed everyone around me for my troubles.

I had reached a point where most of the people in my life either disassociated themselves from me, or hoped I would leave them alone. I can't tell you how many actually put up with me and helped me limp along while trying to find my way to a better life.

During that period, I never recognized what I was like or the efforts it took for people to tolerate me. To make a long story even longer, seven years after graduation I was about one to two inches from the bottom of the barrel. I was penniless, close to homeless and not seeing any real chances of improving the situation.

I was looking for a job anywhere with no luck, moving from bit work to hand outs for helping on daily labor, when I walked by a clothing store with a help wanted sign in the window. There I was, fully confident that the outcome of me going in and applying would be the typical 'thanks but no thanks'.

I turned to walk away when a gentleman smoking a cigarette in a little cigarette holder asked if I was looking at the help wanted sign. I replied that I was but knew I probably couldn't get that kind of job. That's when the gentleman who was Milt Harm, manager of the store introduced himself and invited me in to "just talk".

Well, though I didn't know it at the time, this man was my savior. He sat me down and asked about me about myself. Well let me tell you that was a tough conversation, I tried to highlight only the positive experiences and jobs but found that on paper, it would resemble Swiss cheese. Old Milt was pretty wise and must have figured me out right away. He asked if I would like a temporary job and I accepted.

Life working for Milt ended up being very similar to life with my own father. If I didn't know better, I could have sworn he would call my father every now and then to see what he could make me do next. Milt worked me twelve hours a day and along the way taught me the value of hard work, respect for others, professionalism, respect for myself, responsibility, honesty, and a few other characteristics that are important in life.

I didn't have time to party anymore, he rented me an apartment above the store and that helped to semi-domesticate me, and gave me a new found desire to make others happy. That job, that ‘Man’ helped my life take an immediate turn and I remember him as a surrogate father to this day.

I do want to mention that much of the things Milt did to me and for me was close to exactly what my father tried to teach us all in our youth, I just wasn't listening at the time. I’m listening now and life has changed for the better.

~~~~~

I'll miss you John. Heck, we'll all miss you. But in ways you may not have realized, you taught me things that are very tangible in my life. You leave behind a wife, son and daughters that do love you. You leave behind a father, sister and brothers that love you.

You leave behind many things, but you have entered a great new forever. All I ask of you is to give Mom and our sister Patty a big hug. One day we will all be together again and have a picnic.

Send In The Clowns

Today is about forgetfulness, the kind that a sibling shouldn't have but does in a hectic life. Okay, now I'm starting to make excuses. It was A. A. Milne that said, "Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” Well that is what I did a couple of days ago, started to think about calling my brother on his birthday and then....

What was it I was talking about again? Oh yeah, my brother John's birthday. Being that he is six years older then me, forgetfulness should be more akin to someone his age than mine.

So without further ado and before I forget again,

Happy Birthday To You, a few days ago !!
Happy Birthday To You, a few days ago !!
Happy Birthday dear John, a few days ago !!
Happy Birthday To You, a few days ago !!

Okay, I've paid my penance. Can I have my marbles back now?

P.S. Do clowns still bother you?


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