About five years ago I was lucky enough to get a friend request from an amazing guy on myspace. He said: “You don’t know me but, I see we have a lot in common and I am looking for friends.” When I took a look at his page I instantly knew we would be! We talked everyday about all the things we loved like music, movies and toys. At the same time I was heading out to California to join my fellow soldiers for our Toy Soldier Day at Disneyland. I urged him to join us and meet us there telling him all about us and how he would get a chance to meet others who he would have things in common with and share fun times. While he was a bit reserved and shy about it he promised to show up. When he did he walked up to the crowd and joined right in with the hugging and handshaking. He was instantly one of us! Everyone who got to meet Jimmy that day enjoyed his company and wanted more!
From that point on Jimmy’s love for Toy Soldiers grew tremendously. He quickly began making propaganda for the next invasion and joining in the planning. He made gifts for other soldiers who went to the events as well as propaganda to hand out. He joined everyone as often as he could and made many new friendships. He once led the art division and the toy division, always wanting to help make the world more fun. He has done many caricatures of his fellow Toy Soldiers and spent time making sure each one was special. When any special occasion came up such as birthdays he would made sure to make something special for that as well. He was just like that. He never asked for anything in return. Jimmy was humbled the day he received his Yellow Jacket award and greatly appreciated the acknowledgement. Anything he ever got from us from a “you rock Jimmy” to tsotw he was overjoyed by. Just knowing someone noticed and had a smile for him was all he ever wanted.
Jimmy cherished his friends greatly. He was the kind of person everyone would want as a friend. He was the ultimate sweetheart, he cared if you were sad and he would be there to cheer you up. He would also be there to pat you on the back if you had achieved any accomplishment with the greatest enthusiasm. Jimmy was always himself and when he had something to say or an opinion to voice he wouldn’t hold back, we all loved that about him. He was an amazing artist who overflowed with creativity with an infectious sense of humor. And anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him would agree.
Unfortunately Jimmy has had to live a lot of his life in poor health. Strong as Jimmy’s heart was it was not strong enough to survive this fatal tragedy. He suffered a heart attack as well as a brain aneurysm late Thursday evening. He left this world at the age of 39.
He left behind a loving mother, father, two adoring sisters and a niece and nephew he was very close to and he loved very much. He also left behind many soldiers who loved him very much. We are all extremely devastated by this. Our hearts are with his family and we hope they know how much he touched our lives. If you can give to his family’s donation site (even if it’s a small donation) please do. Every bit helps. Donate Here
He had planned on attending this years annual Doo Dah parade in Pasadena. Now his wonderful sister Valerie is planning on attending the event in his place. Jimmy would want us to march on! He would tell us you’ve got to live as much as you can. Love as much as you can and make the world better for everyone.
Although this is a sad time for us all. I do hope that our fellow soldiers will learn to hold life and friendships more preciously. Cherish your friends every chance you have because at anytime it could end and it never feels like enough time…
A final *salute* to you Professor Jimmy Blue. <3
Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Jimmy in the comments below.
A toy soldier toast to the fallen
May we play in the Elysium fields and the streets of Fiddler’s Green. May your water gun never go dry nor your batteries flat. May the dreams of Robots guide us to the Heavenly shores. Farewell dear fallen comrades and friends, when again we meet I can only imagine what will be in store.
here is Jimmies Death Haiku from me…its the best i could do on such short notice
He Was there for us
When ever we Needed him
We’ll never Forget
Damn it Jimmy, i really wanted to get to know you better!
please take it easy up thier in heaven, where thier is no pain…or sorrow, just eternal love and rest…a true utopian playland…
*salutes*
Didn’t know him to well. Spoke a few times in PMs when I first joined in 2010, then later became FB friends. Quite the mind he had. RIP Professor Jimmy Blue.
*salutes*
*21 Nerf-Gun Salute*
I never had the pleasure of meeting Professor Jimmy Blue (I regret to say). But in this digital world we live in, I considered him a friend. He always had kind words for me, and would give me a good laugh. Always bringing out nostalgia in us, whether it be a favorite cartoon or show from decades past, or a favorite toy or band. I haven’t been a toy soldier for long, but I looked up to what Jimmy had to say and what he did in this group. He was in his own way a humble leader who cared a lot about friends and fun. We will never forget the laughter you gave us, or the smiles, Professor Jimmy Blue. We have lost a great soldier and friend. *salutes*
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
I may not have known Jimmy personally and now I regret the fact I will never have the opportunity to. But I know from the few brief conversations that I had with him, and from everyone else’s tributes, that he was a true Toy Soldier and he embodied everything that was us. May his memory live on through those that knew him best.
*salutes*
RIP Jimmy.
That was truly beautiful it made me cry. <3
RIP Jimmy.
Oh yes, Delilah was there also.
i sadly have not had the opportunity to go on invasions yet, and even worse, was never able to meet jimmy myself. none the less, from what i have seen, he was certainly a great man, and a dedicated soldier, and i certainly wish him to rest in piece
My last in-person memory of ProfessorJimmy Blue: Last January, at Her Royal Majesty’s Steampunk Symposium, I was standing on the Promenade deck of the Queen Mary with Jimmy, TechiefIve, Nurse Chizel and The Jon of Steam Powered Giraffe, between sets of Lee Presson and the Nails. Lee came by, manic as ever, layed down on the deck and offered a heel to Jimmy and said “pull me!” Jimmy abliged, dragging Lee down the deck of the Promenade as Lee yelled, “Help, I’m on the Titanic! I’m sinkinggggg!”
Jimmy’s creativity was boundless. He was always coming up with ideas for prop, making pins for Toy Soldiers to commemorate events, even making little puzzle and joke magazines to hand out at the beach during our “Surf’s Up” invasions. He also made fun little toys, such as a robot with a spider’s body and Dr. Steel’s head, and packages of “Rabies Babies accessories”, little bags full of plastic ants and flies with professional-looking packaging. And most people are familiar with the numerous caricatures he did of some of our more prominent Toy Soldiers.
When I ran the 1123rd, I made him my “propaganda minister” and relied on his creative energy, and he could always be counted on to pitch in when needed. Even though he lived away in Victorville, much farther than I or anyone else in the 1123rd from the heart of the LA/OC area, he’d always try to make it to events and be a part of us.
I have lost a good friend, and the Toy Soldiers have lost a shining example of what it truly means to be a Toy Soldier. He will be greatly missed. Jimmy, we salute you.
I’m still devastated and can’t believe this terrible news. He was such a great, kind, artistic, hilarious, unique person. I knew him only online, but I could tell he was a great person with an amazing soul. I cried when I heard the news. He was my favorite Toy Soldier and one of my greatest online friends. The world will not be the same without him, he will be greatly missed. We all loved him so much and will remember him forever. <3
We will respect him even in death
821 × 972 – voltor07.deviantart.com
821 × 972 – voltor07.deviantart.com ignore that please
Beautiful heartfelt words and collages, Jet. Jimmy you will be missed *salutes*
The first thing that struck me about Jimmy was his generosity and caring. The first time I met him was at DooDah 2011 which was one of my first TSU events. He greeted me with open arms and the gift of a home made DooDah commemorative pin. I have work that pin as part of my uniform ever since that day and it will always remain there on my chest, close to my heart.
RIP Jimmy *salute* you will be missed and remembered.
Miss you Jimmy! :salute:
He was a hell of a guy, and I will miss him. I will always treasure the picture he drew of me.