|
From Wayne Allard, Cousin
I guess I will always recall how my cousin, Jim Allard, and I used to drive Mr. Lobeg crazy when we would arrive at school, sans belts to hold our pants up (against the rules). We would be called out of class to report to the office for a reprimand, only to present to the office wearing belts (we used to hide them under our shirts, and would put them through the belt loops of our pants on our way to the office, making Loberg think that he had been hallucinating when he thought he spotted us improperly attired).
|
Michael Herrick
Jim, was one of the most remarkable people I ever knew. He had so many outstanding talents as well as some demons to deal with. He was a good dear friend to the last. I miss Jim very much.
Mike Herrick
Wayne Allard
For starters, the time of Jim's death is not "unknown" - He died in February, 1994, at age 50 from complications of lung cancer.
Right after Jim's death, I sat down to write up a tribute to a man who was a cousin, but really more like a brother to me - I feel it appropriate to share my "Memories of a Friendship" in this memorial section of the "Class Of 1962".
As his first cousin and lifelong friend, I have memories to share about Jim Allard. A Grand Forks native, Jim grew up in the neighborhood near St. Mary's Church and School (205 Walnut Street). Even as a preschooler, Jim made it apparent to other kids and adults that he would never be content with doing things in an orthodox manner - he would do things his way, meaning that there would always be added ingredients in the form of adventure and daring. Due to his kind nature, Jim never went looking for trouble, but if it came to him, he dealt with it in an ice-cool manner, and to my knowledge, he never came out on the losing end of a confrontation.
Jim loved life - he loved to have fun with his friends, as was evidenced by the zeal and enthusiasm he demonstrated as a youngster engaged in back alley games and activities. Jim was the most swashbuckling pirate; the cavalryman with the most valor or the most aggressive swordsman defending the castle against the enemy. He didn't just "play" the part of a musketeer or gunfighter from The Old West, he invested his thoughts and emotions into those roles and became the person he was emulating. You couldn't possibly participate alongside of Jim without becoming infected with the same desire to attain the character authenticity that he did.
As a teenager, Jim's creativity and artistry were manifested through the cars that he possessed. His cars were sleek, sinister-appearing and they were fast! Jim had a fierce pride in his "wheels", and he reinforced his reputation for being a trendsetter when he customized his vehicles with a styling that was eye-catching, envied and oftentimes, copied.
If you wanted to become a friend of Jim's, he had to know that you were trustworthy enough to warrant his friendship. If you were fortunate enough to cross that line, you were assured of unwavering loyalty and respect. Jim was known to risk his life in behalf of a friend in peril - he didn't give it a second thought. I know, because he saved my life when I was drowning in the Red River, and when I was about to fall off a mountain cliff in Yellowstone National Park.
To die at the age of fifty is to die without completing the circle of life from birth to old age. Cancer, and other life problems have a way of interfering with the normal course of things for many mortals - so it was with Jim. His was a hard life in some respects, but it was a good life, and his presence on the earth enhanced life for the people who became part of his existence.
Rest in peace, my childhood hero - my soulmate
Wayne Allard