Jim Emsing has moved to his new home in Heaven. During his last days, he enjoyed the beautiful creations of our world and before dying he gave a brief history of his life. “I was born November 10, 1939 in Lafayette, IN and moved to Albuquerque in 1948. I started working in a drug store at the age of 11. At 17, I joined the US Marine Corps and spent four years serving our country. Upon discharge, I worked as a bookbinder until becoming a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department in November 1966. I began my career on the Department with a high school GED, but when I retired 25 years later as a Deputy Chief of Police I had obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

In 1978, I met Donna Torres who turned out to be the love of my life. She had just joined the Albuquerque Police Department and after our first meeting, I knew she was the one for me. After dating casually for a couple of years, we were married July 23, 1983. What a wonderful, exciting, and loving 29 years we have had together.

In addition to Donna, I will be survived by my son James and my daughter Robin and her two children, Christopher and Ryan Lukish. I am also survived by my sister, Babetta Soutar and her husband, Ron and their five children - Roger - Mike - Susan - Lori - Karen and eight grandchildren. When I married Donna, I inherited a couple hundred relatives who I adored very much, but for the sake of space only the immediate will be mentioned: step-mother Susanna Torres; brothers: Albert Torres; Patrick Torres(wife Jossette and kids); Danny Torres(wife Alicia and kids); Donna’s mother, Nicanora and her husband, Donald Fullbright.

During one’s life many friends are developed. You might lose contact with some of them, but you never forget them. It is always fun to see a long lost friend. It brings out a smile and a big hug. I especially want to thank all my brothers in blue for their help and friendship during my 25 years on the Albuquerque Police Department. It was a great career, especially having friends like Bob Stover, Elton Hodgsen, and Nick Alarid. What a life! After retiring I met several fine bicyclists whom I rode with for several years until my lung disease put a stop to my biking. What a great and energetic group of people. My special thanks go out to Pete Stirbis who taught me all about biking. To maintain some sort of fitness level, I would go to Costco every day, have a mocha freeze, read the newspaper, and walk the aisles. During the last few years, I got to know several of the excellent employees at Costco--all of whom treated me as a true friend. In addition to all my family and relatives there was also a social group of about 30 men and women that would get together at least once a month for football games, birthday parties, graduation parties, births and deaths within the group. They were all a great group of friends that I will truly miss. In closing I want to mention my special friends, Sarah and Jim Reynolds from Mountain Video; my cousin Phil Jester and his wife Carol Foley; my Aunt Gloria; and my very special little buddy, Ricky Torres-Tenorio. How can a person complain, when life has been so good? Dying slowly has its advantages in that you can savor all of the good things in your life. My passing is relatively pain free so I have no complaints. Remember me in your prayers, and especially, keep a protective eye on the love of my life, Donna.”

Jim passed away on 4/28/2012. He had the privilege of serving as a Eucharistic minister at Holy Child Parish where his funeral services will be held. His Life Celebration will begin with a Rosary that will be recited on Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m.at Holy Child Parish in Tijeras. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday at 10:00 a.m., also at Holy Child Parish. He will be laid to rest Mt. Calvary Cemetery on Friday at 2:00 p.m. with military honors.

Urn bearers will be Phil Jester, Elton Hodgsen, Nick Alarid, Paul Ortiz, Andrew Chavez, and Fred Hermann.