This and That – I Knew the Laugh before I Knew the Man.

Goodbye, James Henry: I knew the laugh before I knew the man. It was a bellowing, hoop-of-a-laugh, and I first heard it over 25 years ago at an audition for “Scrooge, The Musical,” directed by Kinard Fite at the Saenger Theater.

During the audition, I did or said something silly (imagine that), and it was then that I heard “the laugh.” That laugh was one of the last things I remember about James Henry. We said goodbye, hugged, and again I did or said something silly, and he laughed. That laugh conjured happiness if directed at you, caused you to pause and control yourself if James Henry was in the audience and you were on stage, and just gave you a warm, fuzzy feeling whenever you heard it.

I last contacted James Henry via Facebook on July 12th. We exchanged messages, trying to arrange a time to meet for lunch. He told me I’d have to pick him up because he could no longer drive. On July 13th, he said: “I’ve got an infection getting started in my check and neck again, so let me see the doctor tomorrow…when I am feeling better, we’ll get together. I will keep you posted. Please keep in touch, my friend. I’m just not feeling myself right now. Please keep me in your prayers.”

Alas, our luncheon date was not meant to be. God called James Henry Home. When my time comes for me to escape this mortal coil, as it were, when I walk through the Pearly Gates, one of the first things I want to hear is James Henry’s bellowing, hoop-of-a-laugh…welcoming me Home. Until then, my friend, please know that you will be missed.

Big hug, Andy.

(Originally posted August 24, 2014)