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Jeff was a giving person who would do anything for his sisters and Mom, his friends, and anyone who needed him. He always thought of others first. He was so loving, never embarrassed to give Mom a kiss on the cheek and a hug in front of friends.
When Jeff was in rehab for 3+ months, he tried someone's guitar. Within a month, he was playing songs from the radio by ear. By the time he left, he was writing his own music. Within a year, he was also writing lyrics, but would never sing them in front of anyone. I finally convinced him to sing and play in the next room, and he was so quiet, I could barely hear him. Soon he got louder and was playing in front of us. His composing got better and better until his last song which was amazing.
There is so much to miss about Jeff. His smile, his awesome HUGS, his dark and very funny humor. Jeff lit up the room. He was always the center of things. His sisters adored him and it was mutual.
There was a young man at his Memorial who said he was awkward, shy, never part of a group. His first day at work, Jeff went over to him and introduced himself and brought him over to the group. He included him, laughed when appropriate, made him feel at home. He said he never felt like that before.
I think that Jeff would like to be remembered as a good person who tried very hard to do the right thing though he had this addiction. He never took a dollar from me or anyone in our family. He wanted to be a musician, and he became one. I know if he lived longer he would have made it big with his music. His lyrics were beautiful and his strumming was so original. He also taught himself the drums and electric guitar and bass guitar. He could do anything he tried except beat this addiction.
