It is with great sorrow that I must announce the passing of my beloved son James Michael Anderson.  At 20 years old, James drew his last breath from this earth, on the afternoon of February 2nd, 2024, in the city of Orange, California. His sudden passing was an unexpected tragedy that has left a gaping abyss of loss in our family.  He is, and always will be, my "Favorite" firstborn son. I labored from 4 o'clock pm straight through the night to bring my son Jimmy into this world, he arrived bright and early on the morning of  April 10th, 2003, at Lakeview Hospital, in Anaheim, California. My heart was overfilled with joy, and elation when the doctor urged me to reach down and pull his little wet body from mine. He was welcomed by the anxious and loving arms of our family who gathered in anticipation. His early years were spent in Costa Mesa, California where he was raised by a village of  Tuff survivors, some of whom traveled across oceans, and others who traveled through the most rugged of climates in our nation's history, in the pursuit of better opportunities. From this experience, James gained an understanding and appreciation of  God's undying love and compassion. Pastor Timothy Phillips baptized James and helped usher him into the church congregation with his first communion, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, in Fountain Valley, CA. James welcomed the call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus's preachings by acting as a light in this world that is often dark and difficult to navigate. His love for music was immediately identified from infancy, I remember the first words I heard him sing, from the old Mowtown classic, by The Delfonics, "LA LA LA LA LA means I love you", his musical talents were present before he learned to walk. We relocated to Huntington Beach the year Jim started elementary school and he attended Ocean View School District where he became known for frequently surprising friends and teachers with his silly antics and impromptu “Rap Sessions”, he was a stranger to no one here in our small community. James continued to nurture and further develop his passion for rhythmic beats as he grew from a boy into a young man. He thrived on the soulful sounds he was introduced to through the cultural diversity of his family. He treasured his cultural roots that span from across the Globe and appreciated the unique richness it added to his life. Thankfully, he had the opportunity to travel outside of the country when he visited Puerto Rico with his Tia Ilene, who he called "T". He valued people from all walks of life and cultivated relationships effortlessly.  He enjoyed cooking, gardening, studying languages, and history, spending time in nature ( especially the beach), and found beauty in the wide variety of art forms as plentiful and individual as all of God's creatures. Through the years he never tired of learning, he played the piano, the drums, and whatever else he could manage to get a beat out of. Of his many skill sets, writing was the most therapeutic and fulfilling. He worked endlessly, immersing himself in the underground music scene, collaborating with fellow artists across the nation to enhance his skills as a poet and performer. His music is universally relevant, heartfelt, genuine, and unapologetically transparent. James used his music as an escape, a hobby, a way to connect with others and feed his soul, music was his niche. He shared with me that God had revealed his purpose for him and it was to write and produce his music and share it with the world.  After graduating high school, he worked full-time at South Coast Interpreting, while pursuing his dream of recording music, and was in the process of scheduling his first live performance. He was recently interviewed on an online platform focused on up-and-coming artists under the stage name Mr. Echo and has been often referred to as a "wordsmith". James always made an effort to construct a special bond with whom he called his familia, loved ones in his life, often writing about them in his lyrics, or breaking out into a spontaneous free styling session, that no one could ever keep up with. His humor and inquisitive nature have brought joy and laughter to many lives, with an infectious smile and silly demeanor, his kindheartedness was a source of strength and support for his familia. Always ready to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement. James was the glue that mended the grooves and cracks etched over time. My son carried an untamed force that emanated from his spirit as bravery and resilience he was everything I could have ever hoped for and more!  Now that his soul has passed from this life to the next, my prayer is that he remains in a state of peace and tranquility, as we, the many left behind, may find an alternative way of connecting with him through the gifts he has left behind for us. Like his music, that continues to inspire and uplift us all. Until we are together again my sunshine, I will be waiting until the day we can once again share the same space and time. Please know your patience is appreciated during this difficult time, as our family mourns privately for Jimmy's unexpected departure from this world.

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