Jim Dempsey Memorial
James Peter Dempsey
Born in Brooklyn, New York on Jan. 11, 1948
Departed on May 7, 2004 and resided in Laredo, TX.
Do Not Grieve for James P. Dempsey.
Rather–rejoice in his memory and the many lives that he has touched. Dempsey was a loving father, an adored lover, a decorated hero and much more. Not a soul alive who had the privilege of meeting him was indifferent to him. So, his family asks that you take those memories of him and learn the lessons he had to offer. Above all, live every day to the fullest and take nothing for granted.
James Dempsey’s lists of accomplishments are too long to list. He was a soldier, loyal to his country in every way, decorated with three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star for Bravery and so many more. He was founder of Halo Flight, ever intent on saving and enriching lives. He was an active Mason and enjoyed Civil War re-enactments- an active member of the 69th Division of the Irish Brigade as well as the 6th Texas Division. He was a father – not only to this writer but to every child that he met, teaching always to be true to yourself, and at the same time not to take yourself so seriously – for when it comes down to it, who else can you truly laugh at? He survives in all of our hearts and leaves behind his daughter, Rachyll Dempsey, Psy. D., his partner, Hillary McAllister, his siblings, many nieces and nephews and thousands of friends. We wish to extend an invitation to everyone who would like to celebrate his life and memory.”
Jim Dempsey Memorial Archive
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Remembered with love on his birthday.
We remember Jim with love on this Veteran's Day. He was a soldier. He was a Hero.
Our deepest sympathies to the family of James 'Doc' Dempsey. We are so sorry for your loss. It is with a heavy heart that I write this note. Thank you again Doc, for being there when my husband needed you so in Vietnam, and thank you for answering my request to see him again. We will always remember you as a wonderful, caring, loving man, who truly exemplified Loyalty and Courage. You will live on in the hearts of all us that you touched.
Hillary & Rachyll - 'May his Memory Be For a Blessing.'
Amanda & Ed
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.'
Lover, Partner, Friend
Hillary
It was our pleasure to be able to 'meet' him even in this small way.
Truly he was a great man who will be missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
My deepest sympathies to his family and closest friends. I met Mr. Dempsey through our annual reenactment of Laredo's History and he was always very kind to me and the staff here at the Webb County Heritage Foundation. We will cherish his friendship forever.
More than a brother in arms, more than a brother mason, this man was and always will be, the best friend of my life.
To the Dempsey Family,
I was very sorry to learn of Jim's death. In my mind Jim defined what it is to be a great man. He freely gave of himself to anyone who needed him and was loved and respected by all who knew him. What an example for the rest of us! The world is indeed a poorer place for his absence.
I had the good fortune to meet Jim through our mutual interests in the Civil War and our Irish heritage. Our living history association, the 69th Regiment, New York State Volunteers, 1st Regiment of the Irish Brigade, would come to learn that we who seek to portray the gentle Irish heroes of generations long past, had in Jim a gentle Irish hero of a recent generation in our ranks. We were honored that he joined us.
In my 'other life' as an Army Reservist, Jim became a mentor. I felt honored to be able to speak to a real hero about leadership. His counsel was precious to me. Jim very much embodied his regimental slogan 'Loyalty and Courage'.
Jim - you are loved and missed. Thanks for standing up for us in peace and war and blessing us with your presence. I know that now that you have passed into the next life, you will be greated by your ancestors, comrades and friends who have missed you as much as we do now.
God Bless you my Friend
Ron McGovern
Major, U.S. Army Reserve
Captain, 69th Regiment, N.Y.S.V (Reenactors)
I will never forget all the good times we shared in Riyadh and how I always teased you about those big cigars of yours.You were a joy to be with and a great friend who offered me elements of freedom in such a closed restrictive culture. They were good times leaving lasting wonderful memories. Thank you.
I met Jim in 1998 in Saudi Arabia and will never forget his contagious smile and warm heart. Being a single female in Saudi didn't allow for much freedom, however Jim would ensure that myself and friend Margie (or whoever else I wanted to bring)always had a place to go to on the weekends where we were treated like queens! He listened to me like my Father and cared like he had known me for years. He spoke of his daughter Rachyll with such pride and love, I can only imagine what emptiness she is feeling now. My thoughts and prayers are with you. We were all blessed to have know this very special man .... you'll be missed, but I know you're smiling and watching over us with a fine cigar in hand ..... thank you for being such a wonderful friend!
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dempsey family. Jimmy will be missed by all,may God Bless his family. The INGENERI Family
Jim was a good friend for many years. I will miss him very much, although he will always be in my heart. There are so many memories there isn't room for even a fraction of them here.
I just learned of Jim's departure and am saddened in this loss for his family and friends in our 9-1-1 community.
Our paths crossed many times over the past 14 years, both on Texas soil as well as in New Jersey. He never seemed to meet a stranger, and always had a story to tell... often with a twinkle in his eye. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Dempsey family. Jimmy is a hero in every sense of the word, not only for what he did in the service of his country, but for how he lived his life.
Tom Olsen
Major, U.S. Army
I am so sorry to here of the Dempsey loss. I only met Jim once, but that is all the time needed to know that he was a great man. I am truly sorry again.
Thank you for being such a Great Leader, but most importantly for being such a Great Friend! It was an honor to have crossed paths during our life time and I hope to see you in the future. Your guidance and knowledge has inspired me to continue to excel on anything that Life will lead me to. Thank you for your understanding.
My condolence to Hilary , Rackell and the rest of the Dempsey family.
I will really miss you Mr. D.
My deepest condolences to the loss of one of the worlds greatest persons.
I served with him in Nam and I can surely say that Jim was a great person. Always helping everyone. He also was one of the bravest men I have ever known as he repeatedly placed himself in jeopardy to assist someone else.
The world has been lessened by his loss.
My prayers go out to his family and friends.
God speed, old friend.
Mr. James Dempsey was a true American hero and a great leader. My condolences go out to the Dempsey family. I am saddened by the loss; but I have good memories of the man that taught us to set high goals for ourselves. We are all the better for having known James Dempsey.
My condolences to the Dempsey family. I do remeber him. That was a long time ago when I was just a little kid. Sorry to hear of his passing.
Jim Rose
I was very sorry to hear about Jimmy. I knew him in his growing up years in North Babylon, N.Y. He was a wonderful boy, and we were all proud of him.
