By Allison Flores
The Cuero Record
The Cuero Country Club Board held a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in honor of longtime manager James “Jim” Warner, who passed away on September 10, 2020.
A tree was planted on the club’s property in Jim’s honor and plenty of folks gathered around to celebrate and remember his life.
Board member Mike Cavanaugh addressed the crowd.
“The historians among us say that Jim was the sixth manager of the club and began working in 1985,” said Cavanaugh. “There are a lot of ‘Jim’ stories–mine kind of all revolve around his Z3. I confiscated my aunt’s Z3 and we were always talking smack and carrying on about who had the best car,” he laughed.
Cavanaugh continued, “I also remember him in his later years when he was a substitute teacher–he always did a great job at the schools and so he had a special place in my heart.”
Other stories surrounding the ceremony were centered on how Jim taught many children how to swim at the country club, and of course, memories of staying out until about 3 a.m. at the club’s bar came up.
Debra Baros wrote the following poem, The Jim Tree, which was read on Tuesday:
“Jim was a jokester and a prankster from the start
Loving deeply from his Southwest Texas State heart
He cooked, he laughed, he planned
Working all jobs wherever he ran
From the kitchen to the pool, to the yard so fine
With his mud pies, queso burgers and omelets so divine
Master Chef, Master Gardener, Lifeguard Trainer the best
As lil kids lined up to take swimming lessons so blest
He was gruff, yes, often so gracious too
As he welcomed his guests with his mike so ado
He took care of his lil old ladies so fair
With their birthdays and anniversaries so aware
Yes, as lifeguards jumped off the pool house
Then flushing the pool and giving it a douse
He’d drive up in his new convertible so green
To watch the jokesters unleash their jokes so very keen
We’ll miss you dear Jim–your family–your friends
As your Bobcats purr you on with their many wins
As you reached for the stars that cool September day
Celebrating God’s Heaven as you flew on your way
We celebrated your generosity and your love so true
With this tree, we dedicated today to remember just you.”