Robert Jerome

Hemsley, Jr.

-
image description
IN LOVING MEMORY

Robert Jerome Hemsley, Jr.

Jul 03 1987 - May 05 2013

Sunrise: July 3, 1987 in Takoma Park,  Maryland 

Sunset: May 5, 2013 in Farmers Branch, TX

Robert Hemsley: A Beautiful Life...

Robert. Big Rob. Or as his family often affectionately referred to him – RJ and Bob.  He has so many names because one couldn’t encompass all that Robert Jerome Hemsley, Jr. meant to the amazing number of lives he impacted in his 25 years on earth.                         

      We could all take a page out of Robert’s book.  And oh – what an interesting read it is.  Biologically, he lived for 25 years.  But to know Robert and to love Robert is to know that he was a very old soul. Wise beyond his years. 

      If you are in your 20s, Robert relates to you on that level – discussing everything from business, dating and finances to hip hop, concerts and entertainment.  If you’re a teenager, like his younger cousin Catherine, he instantly steps into big-brother mode, proving to be the confidant and loving shoulder on which one could lean.  

      But what continues to set Robert apart is his amazing grasp of real-life challenges and issues -- things most people either put off or don’t face until later in life.  All that said, Robert could hang in deep discussions with his elders and impart his “larger-than-life” Socrates-like (aka Grandpa Ted-like) philosophy and blow peoples’ minds.  

 

RJ – A Labor of Love

      I’ll bet if someone asks you your birth date, you’ll likely give them one specific date and that’s it.  Most of us would.  But when you’re destined to be larger than life – like “RJ,” as parents Krista Ray and Jerome affectionately referred to him – one birth date is NOT ENOUGH.  

      Technically, RJ was born July 1 through the 3d. Yes, that’s correct.  See, his Mom – Krista – went into labor on July 1 and because RJ was indeed “larger-than-life” he didn’t emerge until July 3, 1987.   He made a huge entrance that we all now know would only rival the huge impact he had on all of our lives.

      The first people Robert Hemsley, Jr. fell in love with were his parents.  It’s as if he knew how much of a blessing it was to have parents who welcomed him, would adore and do absolutely anything to make his life’s journey fulfilling and whole.  So when RJ entered this world, he looked out to them with those big green eyes and it was indeed love at first sight.

      If you ask his parents -- who each are extremely gifted and talented in their own right – their proudest accomplishment – they would say in unison, “our son.” 

      His parents’ labor of love continued throughout RJ’s life.  Each imparting their natural gifts into their son’s life.  His mother’s amazing love and God-given gift of creativity helped Robert develop his endless capacity to love.  And Robert’s effortless and spot-on approach to style definitely was inspired by his mother’s Bohemian creative touch.  His father’s unwavering love, business acumen and long-term planning were key factors that encouraged RJ to become a responsible man able to maximize the resources his father put in place for his future.  

 

ROBERT

      Robert’s parents established and welcomed a village that included an extremely loving and involved Aunt Terrie, Uncle Duncan and Grandma (Pat) Grandpa Ted (now based in Heaven), Uncle Derrick and his sister-like first cousins Elizabeth, Adrienne, Victoria, Jacqueline (with whom he is in Heaven now) and Catherine. 

      Unless you knew that “Robert” – as his villagers often referred to him – was actually an only child – you never would’ve guessed it if you could observe him with his cousins. They laughed together. Got spanked together. Got over it together. Learned to drive together.  Got on restriction together.  Ate together. Did the dishes together. Studied together.  Dreamed together.  Loved together.

      It’s probably by design that Robert chose a Communications-focused college major after observing his Aunt Terrie – a seasoned journalist.   His Uncle Duncan, whose father-like mentoring echoed Robert’s father’s commitment to business excellence helped Robert successfully transition to the corporate world.  

      Thanks to the loving influences instilled upon him by his parents, grandparents and aunt and uncle – Robert learned how to build lasting relationships – including unshakeable childhood friendships, unforgettable college buddies and his more recently established work-related alliances and friendships. 

      After graduating from the University of North Texas in Denton, Robert’s effortless transition into Corporate America was because of  many lessons learned from the Bible and his “village:” treat others the way you would want to be treated. 

      To peruse his Facebook pages this week, especially, you’ll see Bank of America coworkers, who’ve barely known him a year, saying they miss his smile, laughter, presence and kindness.   

     

BIG ROB

      Whoever thinks that you can’t be kind, brilliant, compassionate AND cool, didn’t know “Big Rob.” There wasn’t a word to describe what came to him organically until now – Big Rob had “mad swagger.”  Translation – he had finesse, style and cool beyond his years!

      Some of us (we know who we are) have to stand in our closets the night before trying to put together a look that speaks to who we are without looking contrived.  Not Big Rob – his khaki green shirt seemed to be made for the similarly colored Fedora hat and the casual slacks happen to be the color of the contrasting band on his hat.  That’s Big Rob.

     

BOB

      In his life, Robert didn’t waste a precious moment -- especially holding grudges.  Instead, by example, he demonstrated the power of forgiveness. He also knew that hugs beat handshakes – hands down.  But if you were Grandma Pat, you could count on a shoulder massage at the drop of a hat. 

      His family recalls that over the past year, Robert was becoming more and more like Grandpa Ted – delving deeper into today’s issues with maturity well beyond his years. 

      Can’t help but imagine this beautiful young man resurrected “all up in” Heaven, reunited and strolling with his Guardian Angel -- Grandpa Ted, while carrying his cousin Jacqueline on his hip.  

 

Thank you for loving us Robert.

image description

Memorials

absolute-header