B.J. Backman
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He is and always will be himself
Memorial services for William James “BJ” Backman, 32, of Eudora will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Warren McElwain Mortuary. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
BJ died November 5, 2010 at the home of his aunt and uncle, Ruth Ann and Bill Gutierrez, in Lawrence. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and was raised in Lawrence. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1996 and was attending the University of Kansas until the time of his illness.
BJ was many things – artist, gamer, son, friend, and most of all, himself. Many people like to quote “to thine own self be true,” but BJ lived it. No one who met him could doubt that he was truly himself and those who loved him loved him for that.
A man of strong opinions, he reserved the strongest for his true calling – art. BJ worked in many mediums, including photography, sculpture, weaving and paint. Whenever someone visited, BJ would always show off his latest artwork and ask for an opinion of it. He wished to be a high school art teacher so that he could inspire kindred talents. He would have made a great one, as those who knew him carry a richer appreciation and understanding of art for knowing him.
He passed surrounded by friends and family, the people who loved him, and will miss him. While the world will be poorer without him in it, his friends and family will always have a special place for him in their hearts and memory. He is truly loved and missed.
He is survived by: his mother and father, Esperanza and Bill Martin of Harlingen, TX; step-brother, Bill Martin of Denver, CO; an uncle who was raised in the family home as a “big brother,” Eric Martin of Lenexa, KS; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; his cat, Melvin; and his beloved dogs, Maya and Poe.
The family suggests memorials to Grace Hospice, the LMH Endowment Association (Oncology Center) or the American Cancer Society sent in care of the mortuary at 120 W. 13th, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Bill and Esperanza,
We are so sorry to hear about BJ’s passing. I know you miss him dearly. Hopefully it brings you some comfort to know that he is longer suffering. Know that you are in our prayers.
Love,
Tim & Jackson Holverson
Bill and Esperanza, Bill and Ruth Ann,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Greg and Roberta Lockard
Bill, Esperanza and family and friends of BJ,
We are so saddened by losing our free spirit, BJer.
Love,
Uncle Bob, Aunt Lou Ann, and Amelia
Dear Bill and Esperanza,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We are so sorry to hear the sad news about your son. May you feel God’s comfort and know we are praying for you.
Love,
Shirley and Mark Payne
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you,
Dear Bill and Esperanza, We are very sorry about B.J.’s passing. Our prayers are with you and your family. Albert and MaryAnn
We were so shocked to hear of BJ passing. I just remember him as Geoffs friend and cub scouts. That was a long time ago. He was always a kind person full of life. We are so sorry and our sympathy is with you Esperanza.You are in our thoughts and prayers. Don, Linda and Geoff Strole
My deepest sympathy.My prayers are with you.
Bill and Espe, we are so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in our prayers. He is in a better place. We are a phone call away if you need anything. Love, Joe and Sylvia
B.J.& Bill, May the Lord be with you and your family on the loss of your son. I pray every day for family and friends. Extra prayers will be said at mass tonight.
Espe and Bill — words are inadequate to express such deep sorrow. We pray that you will let the peace of the Lord carry you now. love, ecb
Bill and Espe, we are so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in our prayers. He is in a better place. We are a phone call away if you need anything. Love, Joe and Sylvia
Esperanza & Bill Martin, we are so sorry to learn of your loss. Please know that we will pray for you. You are truly in our thoughts. Lynne, Donnie and Krystle
Even though I never got the opportunity to meet BJ, I feel as if I he is family as I have heard so much about it. Hope, Bill, Ruthie, Bill and the rest of his family and friends, you are in my heart and my prayers! I know BJ will be missed dearly! He was blessed to have family and friends that loved him so much!
Love you all!
Katina, Trent, Keira and Karli Farritor
Bill and Espi, I am sorry for your lost, you and your family are in our prayers, may Gods Comfort and Blessings be with you.
Dorothy & Marcello
O, I’M SO SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR SON. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. I KNOW IT’S HARD TO HEAR, BUT B.J. IS IN A SO MUCH BETTER PLACE. YOU ARE STILL IN MY PRAYERS.
Bill & Esperanza –
Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss.
May the peace which comes with BJ’s memory comfort you now and in the days ahead.
You both have our deepest sympathies.
Love, Gretchen & Gary Laffoon
O, I’M SO SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR SON. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. I KNOW IT’S HARD TO HEAR, BUT B.J. IS IN A SO MUCH BETTER PLACE. YOU ARE STILL IN MY PRAYERS.
We love you, B.J. and we will miss you. Bill and Esperanza, we love you too. So sorry for the loss. The world will not be the same without him.
Esperanza and Bill, we extend our most sincere sympathy. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers and we are truly sorry for your loss. May his memory bring you comfort in the knowledge that he is no longer in pain or suffering. We love you, Janet and Don
Bill,Esperanza and family, Though challenged by your loss, it is with faith and gratitude for his life and time spent with you, and in anticipation of his spirit’s continuing influence over all that knew and loved him, that you lay him to rest. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you say good bye to his physical presence.
Love, Phil, Pat, Jarrod
Dear Espe and Bill,
My heart and prayers go
out to you. What a fine young man BJ must
have been. His memory will
live on forever. Please know
that we are all here for you.
What you are feeling right now is one of the most difficult emotions that a family ever faces. Remember that we love you, we are praying for you and Bill, and we stand ready to do anything that you think might help.
The picture and the obituary captures the essesce of a very handsome and fine young man who will be missed terribly by all who knew him.
Jo Ellen and Bob
Aunt Hope and Uncle Bill Martin, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this trying time. So sorry for yours and all of our loss.
We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Bill and Esperanza. Words cannot express the sadness we feel for your loss and for the passing of a loved one. As BJ was, so you shall be in our prayers. May God help you bear the grief with the knowledge that he is now in a better place where happiness abounds and pain does not exist. Love Emilio & Penny
Aunt Hope & Uncle Bill We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Kelly and Family
We love you, B.J. and we will miss you. Bill and Esperanza, we love you too. So sorry for the loss. The world will not be the same without him.
Esperanza and Bill, my heart is with you at this time. I remember hearing you both talk of BJ. Miss you both and am sending you my love and hugs. Jennifer Gilbertson
Bill and Esperanza, We’re praying that the peace of God that comes from dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty will keep and strengthen you. He is your rock, your fortress, your deliverer and your strength (Psalm 18).
Bill and Esperanza,
We send you our deepest symathy. Know that you are in our thoughts.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in our prayers. Love Olivia and Diana
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I was so saddened to hear of BJ’s passing.
Bill and Esperanza, my thoughts, prayers and love are with you both now and always.
Bill and Esperanza, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Aleman family.
Bill and Esperanza,
Our family is so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. God be with you all.
Liz Ruiz & Ruiz Family
Bill and Esperanza, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Bill & Esperanza, My deepest sympathy, May Gods Comfort & Blessings be with you.
Rose Trejo
Esperanza, So Sorry to hear of your loss, Our prayers never ceased, as hard as this is, BJ will never again feel pain, one day you will reunite with him in God’s wonderful Glory. Know that You and BJ are Loved by all @ Faith Pleass God.
Aunt Esperanza and Uncle Bill Martin I can not express in word how sad we are to hear of your loss. All who had ever knew B.J. will miss him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. With our Condolences and Love your nephew Jason
I am so sorry for your loss. BJ was an awesome person, we met in high school and then we were neighbors for many years in Eudora. We would sit outside and talk about any and everything when he’d bring the dogs out to run. He is truly going to be missed by so many.
We are so sorry for your loss,
and the hurt you are going through now, may God comfort you and keep you strong. Our prayers continue for you both.
Mary & John
Our deepest sympathy for your
loss. Our prayers are with
you, may God give you strength.
M&J
I am very sorry to hear that BJ has passed. I knew him from Unos. He was a great person. He created a piece of artwork that I have carried with me on my journeys.
Bill and Esperanza, our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. We hope you will find comfort in the caring thoughts of your friends.
I am very sorry to hear that BJ has passed. I knew him from Unos. He was a great person. He created a piece of artwork that I have carried with me on my journeys.
Bill and Esperanza, my heartfelt sympathy is with you and I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Toni Dixon
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss.
The Garibay Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours Aunt Esperanza. We’re here for you if you need us.
The McLaughin Family – Boerne, TX
BJ was a former scout of Boy Scout Troop 52 in his younger years. He was always full of energy and well like by all. My prayers and sympathies are with his family and friends.
Rod Zinn, Scoutmaster Troop 52
Dear Esperanza and Bill-
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. I want you to know how much I enjoyed meeting and working with BJ. I can’t even begin to guess how many times he reduced me to wailing laughter. He impressed me as someone who is very brave, authentic, strong, and honest. I won’t ever forget him, he was one of the funniest people I’ve ever been lucky enough to meet. Take care of yourselves, and once again, I’m so sorry.