James Booker Vert
August 4, 1931 - September 14, 2013
Obituary
Bigger than life, louder than most, James Vert touched a lot of lives in his 82 years. He joined the Air Force in 1949 at 17, giving 3-1/2 years to his country. While still in his teens he married Maria Teresa Rechichi and their family grew to include 6 children. Dad worked by his father’s side at Nettleton Timber and then for many years as a tire serviceman at Sam’s Tire. During his working years, Dad was a tireless giver. He volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul bringing help and comfort to others. He taught religious education. He belonged to a prison ministry. And many nights found him tearing apart the old Lourdes school buses, trying to get them running for school the next day. In retirement he and Mom donated hams and made 325 ham sandwiches every month for the St. Martin de Porres Shelter. Every school day for the last 16 years he volunteered as a classroom helper at Boulevard Park School. He was awarded the Highline School District Volunteer of the Year Award. He had lunch with 3 different children every day, passing out pencils and candy along with his advice and witticisms. All the while he gave his children the greatest gift: he loved our mother.
Dad was predeceased by his parents, Marjorie (Ferris) and George L. Vert, and his sister, Mildred Wick and twin sisters who died at birth. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Teresa; his sisters Lael Dungan, Minneapolis, MN, and Judy Hood, Puyallup.; his six children: Chris Carlson, Portland, OR; Kathleen Hunter (Dave Baker), Sedro Woolley; Jeff Vert (Tina), Seattle; Cheryl Michels (Rick), Lynnwood; Lisa Keith, Arlington; Patti Beebe, Seattle; and Mike Lorentson, Seattle, who has been like a son to him; 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, plus one on the way; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved doxie, Luigi, who misses him so very much.
To honor our father we would ask that everyone who knew him, loved him or cared about him think about passing on some of his kindness. Donate time or money to a shelter, read to kids or the elderly, put money in one of those cups for charity at the check stand. When you are at Safeway and they ask if you want to round up your bill to support a charity, say “YES! Of course I do!” Smile at the homeless and invite them for a meal. Go to your local volunteer bank and see what you can do. Give a kid a buck for candy he’s eyeing in the grocery store. Pay somebody’s tab. Give someone a compliment. And pray for the folks who really annoy you – and mean it. Our Dad will be so pleased.
Teresa: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Mary, Burien District Court
On behalf of myself and the clerks at the Burien Courthouse where Teresa volunteer a few years ago, please accept our deepest sympathy in the lost of your beloved husband.
Teresa and the entire family. My sincere condolences to you. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you on this time of sadness and loss.
J.B. Harbison
If you listen carefully, you will hear a tinkling sound.
It is the sound of a hundred tiny hearts breaking.
For years, Mr. Vert was an in-person comfort, a Mr. Rogers-like presence to shy children; children whose English was not strong; children who were a handful and needed some positive interaction; or just plain, ordinary kids whose day needed brightening. He came to Beverly Park Elementary School and had lunch with enough children to make up a good board game bunch, and they played simple games like Sorry. Children learned to count, and to communicate, but most of all, they learned that someone liked them just the way they were.
Mr. Vert has left every one of us behind now, but his legacy of kindness lingers. We are so much richer for having known him.
Patti, I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts.
My Daddy was my hero. The only man who ever loved me 100% unconditionally and protected me no matter what. He taught me to live and love. To share and care. To give and not be concerned with receiving. He had the best smile and his eyes twinkle when he does. I had to leave for 12 years and missed so much time with my parents, but the last 11 months we grew closer than we had ever been. He gave me advice and I confided a lot in him. I will miss everything about my Daddy. I love you so much Daddy. I was so lucky to have you.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Jim’s family and extended family. God has called home his faithful servant.
Patti dear, we didn’t know your daddy, but judging from what a loving & giving person you are, I can imagine how wonderful he was as an example to you all. You are in our thoughts & prayers at this difficult time!
My sincerest Condolences
Mr. and Mrs. Vert were among my parents friends with whom I have fond childhood memories. I recall birthday celebrations at their home(Christine is their God Child) which was full of laughter, joy and love.It was evident that Jim was a kind and loving husband, father and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
The Ursino Family
Rocco, Gloria(Sergi), Chris, Mike, Leanne, Beth, Angela,Rocky and Pat.
I remember Mr. Vert as a very kind man, and enjoyed many happy hours visiting the Vert family while in high school with Kathy. I am sorry for the loss of your husband and dad.
Thank you Jim and Teresa for modeling the love of Christ to all of us. My sympathy and prayers go out to the wonderful Vert family.
To all of the Vert family and friends:
Please accept my sincerest condolences and prayers of peace in Christ.
To James, I salute you with honor, with love and tremendous respect.
You loved me when I was un-loveable and showed me kindness even while I walked in selfishness and sin. You taught me about Jesus and showed me how to pray. You were the first man to ever show me what unconditional love truly was, even though I learned only too late what that really meant. It was because of your tireless acceptance, example of faith and your spirit of a true believer that I was able to see the Christ in you and be drawn towards the light. It was because you loved me and gave freely of all that you were and of all that you had, that I was able to truly believe in another human being for the first time. It was because of your example, that I was able to eventually come to believe in the God of your faith.
I am a better man for having known you and because you lived, my life has changed for the better forever—literally.
You led me to Christ and for that, I will be forever grateful.
Rest in Peace, Jim—I’ll be seeing you!
Jim was my uncle, and I know that he meant a great deal to my mother. She talked recently about her many adventures with him when they were kids, and how they liked to explore the church where he is being memorialized tomorrow. It seems fitting that he completes his life journey in a place he knew and loved.
We send our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Jim Vert.
My heart goes out to everyone who knew Jim and will miss him, I met Jim in April of this year at a family birthday lunch, at Huckleberry Square, I sat next to him and drank a beer, and enjoyed my Reuben sandwich, we talked a little, and from the moment I met him, I truly liked him, and shortly there after I came to love him, he was truly a great man, kind, gentle, but firm, a little stubborn, but lets face it, we men are all a little stubborn! I always felt included, and warmly welcomed in every encounter I had with Jim! He treated me with a kind gentle manner and I loved it when he would smile with his eyes and give me a wink! His laugh was contagious, and I couldn’t help but feel just a little better when I was in his presence. The greatest gift he ever gave me was, the presence of his wonderful daughter Patricia, she truly is the best of what her father brought into the world! I’ve become part of the Vert family in a very short time, and all of his children, Chris, Kathleen, Jeff, and Lisa, and last but not least his wonderful wife Theresa, have openly excepted me into there “tribe” and I am forever and always grateful for there unconditional love, and openness! I love you all very much, and I am truly sorry for your loss…I will miss your daddy, very much! Please help us carry on Jim’s good deeds and help anyone in need, shoot a smile at a stranger, give freely of yourself in anyway that you can, God bless you all!
I had the pleasure of knowing Lisa and now I know where she learned her love of life from. My prayers are with the whole family.
Sandi & Jeff Taylor
I have been James and Teresa’s insurance agent for many years and have always appreciated their humor and honesty in dealing with them.
I have known their daughter Lisa for many years and only after meeting her parents did I learn why she is who she is. Strong, independant fiercly loyal and loving.
James and Teresa have accomplished every parents’ desire, they have raised children who are strong supportive members of our society.
I wish James a peaceful transition to Heaven where I know he will reap the rewards earned in his life.
May God bless those who remain, and may we all remember and honor his service to our society and the lives he has touched, which are better for having had the oppertunity to know him.
Charlie Brown
Terri,
We were sad to hear of Jim’s passing. Roger thought good of him and was glad they were cousins. You take care, we will keep you in our prayers.
Aloha,
Roger & Valerie Vert
Grandpa- I love you and will miss you dearly!
I want to tell you thank you, thank you for providing me with such a great example of what a true man should be. You taught me to be faithful, honest, hardworking, respectful and loving. You taught me many life lessons, that as a small child I really did not understand, but now that I have children of my own I find myself passing along some of those same pearls of wisdom that you gave to me. You taught me that having devotion and loyalty to God, Family and Country are some of the most important things in life, not the value of a man’s bank account, but rather what kind of difference did you make in someone’s life. Lastly you taught me conviction, to believe in what you say and do even in the face of adversity or those that doubt you. So Grandpa thank you, thank you for all those life’s lessons, you were and are a true original. Until we meet again take care and know that you made a difference in the lives of everyone you met. The world is a better place because of you!
Love,
Jon
Sorry for your loss, I remember your dad handing out the church bulliten. It has been many yrs since I have seen him and the rest of the family, I hope you are doing well during your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Childhood memories and the realities of youth mix with those would attended & remember Our Lady of Loudes school years and everything that made or helped us endure. His smile and generous nature tho’ blurred from ago, linger still. Peace for his wife, family, and friends.
Jay
We wish to express our deepest condolences. Sincerely, Greg, Charlie,Blake and Aaron
Lisa, Patty, Mrs . Vert and th entire Vert Family,
From the Still Family, we are sorry for the loss of your Dad, husband, Grsndpa, Uncle.
The ceremony was beautiful and the eulogy was incredible. Thank you for sharing your Dad with the OLL community.