Friends and family gathered Wednesday in Firestone Fieldhouse to offer songs and testimonies to commemorate the life of Jim Brock director of Housing and Community Living.
Brock fondly known as JB died on Thursday Jan. 15 at approximately 1 p.m. after suffering from cardiac arrest internal bleeding kidney failure and other complications according to a housing office official. He was 59 years old and began working at Pepperdine in 1984 when he D’Esta Love then dean of students hired him as a Career Center administrative assistant.
Since Brock’s passing across campus and during the memorial service students faculty and friends have recalled Brock’s larger-than-life presence.
“If JB was in the room you knew it … whether it was because of his big smile or just the warmth you felt from his heart said Greg Lee, a resident advisor in Fifield who worked with Brock in the housing office during the summer.
Filled with laughter, music and stories about Brock’s beloved Disneyland, the memorial service reflected his special spirit. JB had always said he didn’t want a regular funeral said Scott Reynolds, residential facilities coordinator. He’d want the best music and people dancing … He’d want to be remembered as having a good time.”
During his speech at the ceremony lifelong friend Scott Lambert said that Brock would have requested pizza and disco music if he were present.
After missing work Thursday Jan. 8 and Friday Jan. 9 because he was feeling ill Brock went home early Tuesday Jan. 13 complaining of flu-like symptoms. After his condition worsened dramatically that evening he made a doctor’s appointment for the following day.
Reynolds said he knew it was serious because “JB avoided the doctor at all cost an observation shared by Lambert at the ceremony.
Wednesday morning, Brock knew he had intestinal bleeding, according to Lambert. Brock called Reynolds and Administrative Assistant Stephen Keene ask them to bring a wheelchair to his apartment, because he thought he would have difficulty making it to the car.
According to Reynolds, when he and Keene arrived at his on-campus apartment in the Lovernich Annex, Brock appeared quite ill.
He looked really pale Reynolds said. His apartment smelled like someone who had been sick. It wasn’t right.”
However when Keene and Residential Director Todd Ormsby pulled away Reynolds did not realize that would be the last time he saw Brock.
When Brock arrived at the doctor’s office the doctor immediately sent him to the hospital. Although the doctors originally thought they could stabilize him according to Lambert by Thursday morning they transferred him to ICU where he died that afternoon.
To the last friends said Brock remained humble and considerate of others.
“Even in the hospital in his last 24 hours he didn’t want people to come in and feel sorry for him Reynolds said. I think it would pain him more to know that his daughter and we in [the] office were thinking about him.”
The son of a former Green Bay Packer Brock was known for his love of life and dedication to students and the university. True to his reputation on his faculty biography page Brock said that the best part of his job is “helping to make a difference in our residents’ lives and the wonderful staff I am blessed to work with.”
Brock frequently arose as early as 4 a.m. and arrived in the housing office as early as 6 a.m. to begin responding to his legendary number of e-mails according to Reynolds.Around the office Brock was known as a “softie” because he always took the side of the student and was a firm believer in second chances.
“Whenever we were asked to change a policy that was benefiting the students here he would fight for their right to have whatever that was said Susan Gamboa, graduate campus coordinator.
Students recognized his dedication, as well.
He was so compassionate Lee said. If you needed a favor and you didn’t know him he would do it for you in a heartbeat.”
SGA President Hunter Stanfield who worked in the housing office for a year said he will miss Brock’s jovial disposition.
“That laugh alone could fill a room with love and joy wrote Stanfield in an e-mail.
Brock’s reach extended to nearly every level of the university – from the upper administration, to dining services, to facility management and planning – all of which were present at the memorial service.
He’s touched everyone at this university whether they know it or not Lee said.
Brock is survived by his daughter Alison Henrie, his five grandchildren and his sister Mary Lou Brock.
A college fund has been established to fulfill Brock’s dream of sending his five grandchildren to college. Those who wish to contribute may mail in checks to the Pepperdine housing office, payable to Henrie.
The housing office is compiling a tribute book for Brock’s family. All are invited to e-mail submissions with memories and reflections on Brock’s life to housing@pepperdine.edu or post them on the Facebook page created in his memory, until Wednesday.