Jeremy Michael Dalberg Villa burst earlier into Rick & Holly's lives than they expected on February 9, 1982. Their obstetrician didn't let them know he would be born earlier than April, so they hadn't finished their Lamaze classes yet. Jeremy also left this life much earlier than they expected on March 29th, 2024.
Jeremy was also full of surprises during the time between his birth and death. At the tender age of two, Jeremy was able to recite a poem that we had read to him from "The Jesus Pocketbook of Nursery Rhymes".
Although Jeremy was very smart, we were also surprised by the difficulty he had in learning the alphabet. We found out that he was dyslexic. Holly did many exercises to help him overcome that disability. We hit upon giving him Calvin & Hobbes books. He loved those books. He worked hard and overcame this impediment to learning so that he loved reading and read many books, some multiple times.
Jeremy was very social. He regretted for years that Holly homeschooled him, denying him a chance to expand his group of friends, but in his later years, Jer was thankful that we did.
Jeremy loved people and was very good at working with them. He also did well when he worked at a lumber yard and when he was a professional painter, but he preferred to be in a trade where he would be around women.
So, he worked at a cafe downtown for many years and got close to some of the customers and especially to a coworker, Amber Lewis. They lived together for years and they got engaged. When Amber was killed by a drunk driver, it seared a sorrow into Jeremy's soul.
Jeremy had "My suffering is ordinary" tattooed backwards onto his neck so that when he looked in the mirror in the morning, he would remember that pain was part of life. Still, Jeremy "put one foot in front of the other", continuing to find the silver linings in the clouds of life.
Jeremy admirably succeeded in this quest. He was quick witted and funny, quoting lines from movies that exactly fit the situation, but then "You have to know these kinds of things when you're king." His memory was truly exceptional.
Jeremy loved nature, looking at Pikes Peak as the early morning sun illuminated it. He loved cooking of all types, but especially grilling since it was outside. He loved to camp and to fish and hike. He went up at least five 14'er's with his Pop, the name he bestowed upon Rick when Rick started loving with his heart instead of his head, but he could always talk more with his mom. Jeremy loved his mother and in his 40's told people that he was a Mama's boy.
Jeremy loved how he looked and changing his looks. He wore his hair in numerous ways. When he had dreadlocks, his brothers told strangers that he was a homeless person and the stranger believed that Jeremy was homeless -- which prompted a quick haircut.
Jeremy never was homeless. He was always very motivated to work and work hard. He was very competent and gave his employers their money's worth.
Like all of us, Jeremy had some character flaws, but his good traits greatly outweighed his bad traits. Jeremy's best trait was having a tender heart. He gave generously to many, homeless people included. He loved deeply and was deeply loved.
Jeremy's family was shocked and saddened that he passed as quickly as he did. 42 may be the answer to the question of the universe, but it is also far too young of an age to die. However, we're endeavoring to remember what God has told us -- that God's "judgments are true and righteous altogether." Psalm 19:9
It is also giving us solace to remember the 103rd Psalm. And we have also received a lot of comfort from the outpouring of sympathy that we've had from our family and friends! Thanks to all of you who have come here to help us remember the life of our first born or have mailed us a card or called or texted us to express your sorrow. And we especially thank all of you for your prayers!
Services were held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at The Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelofMemoriesfh.com for the Villa family.
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