From left: James’ mother, Molly; James; brother, Sean; and father, Rob Oliver. The photo was taken in June 2023 during a family vacation in Boston.
We remember James
James' life, though brief, left a profound impact on many. By sharing your memories of him, you are keeping his joy and kindness alive and highlighting his significant role in our lives.
We are starting to collect memories and photos about James and would be grateful for any story, moment, or photo you are willing to have posted on this website. Scroll below for memories and photos we’ve collected thus far.
You can email werememberjames@gmail.com. Please note if you want to keep your memory anonymous or include your full name or initials.
Left to right: Grandparents Mary Jo and Tim Daily and Molly, Sean, and Rob Oliver at the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation dedication event.
James’ name on The Gifts of Love Wall, located on Lurie Hospital’s 12th floor.
Left to right: Parents Rob and Molly Oliver and brother Sean in front of The Gifts of Love Wall.
Thank you letter from Emma Bauer, 2025 award recipient of the $6,000 St. Francis Preparatory High School scholarship.
Thank you letter from Andrew Heffron, 2025 award recipient of the $6,000 St. Francis Preparatory High School scholarship.
Seated second from left in the back row, James is with his friends at the 2019 Swedish Days Dodgeball Tournament in Geneva, IL.
(Photo submitted by Joy Wilson)
James making candles with Chase.
(Pho)One of my favorite memories of James was visiting the candle store to make a candle on a winter afternoon. My son Chase spent a lot of times with James when they went to Harrison elementary school together. Our entire family loved having James over at our home. He was always polite and had a big smile on his face whenever he walked in to play with Chase. My younger son Caden was always glad when James came over because James was so kind to him and often treated Caden as if he were one of his friends. James would often asked Caden to come join him when James was at the park playing with his friends. That kindness really stuck with Caden, he still brings it up often.
Fond memories of James, from Karla Bauer
James and my son Chase had many fun times together, and I always remember them giggling and making each other laugh. They did so many silly things together. One that I vividly recall is “ flappy bird.” They would stand up and do this silly bird thing with their arms while saying “ flappy bird” over and over and over. It seems like every week they would come up with a new silly thing to do together. Chase hung out with Sean with James a lot too, and they have lots of memories together as well. I think the one I hear about most was a grumpy neighbor who took their bikes and chained them to his tree because he was mad they rode through the grass. They did get the bikes back eventually. I also hear about them climbing up to the top of the train tracks so see the world from up high.
This picture was taken on a January day, it was pretty cold out while they were in 5th grade. James came over, and the boys were bored. We hopped in the car to go make candles, and James, Chase, and Caden all had so much fun that day! They smelled all the scents and sat and giggled together as they made their first candle. Even though our family has many memories with James, this was one that stood out as one of our favorites. I may add that James’ candle smelled absolutely amazing! I think he had a gift for blending scents together, as the rest of ours didn’t smell so great, lol.
Now whenever Chase or Caden really miss seeing James, we find comfort in going to this candle store to make candles. This will always remind us of James, and best of all, we can take home the candles and continue to remember him anytime we light them.
James was a wonderful person and he touched my entire family with love, happiness and kindness. We think of him often and will never forget the good memories we have with him.
We all look forward to reuniting with him one day. Until then, James lives on in all of our hearts.
Front row from left: Brothers Sean and James.
The second top row from left are James’ parents, Molly and Rob Oliver; Grandpa Bob Oliver; Grandmother Diane Oliver; Aunt Sue and Uncle Greg Campbell; and cousins Piper and Caitlyn Campbell.
The photo was taken in Fennville, Michigan in 2015.
James with friends at a 5th grade outdoor education program.
James with his grandparents Tim and Mary Jo Dailey, big brother Sean at far right. This photo was taken in May 2023 after his Catholic confirmation at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
James with his parents at his 8th-grade graduation from Geneva Middle School in June 2023.
Photo taken of James in the summer of 2023 in Savannah, GA. From left, James, his Uncle Tim Dailey, Aunt Eilis Dailey, and brother Sean.
James at his Catholic confirmation with youth group leader Mark Restaino.
Photo taken of James and friends before attending Geneva High School Homecoming in Fall 2023.
James' father, Rob Oliver, took this photo on Cape Cod in the summer of 2023. Behind Rob from the left are James, Sean, and Molly.
A favorite family photo of James taken when he was approximately 12 years old.
James' selfie was taken by the Fox River where James loved to fish.
Photo taken at James’ 8th-grade graduation in May 2023. Sean looks nervous that his little brother James will be taller than him.
Sean and James take a break during apple picking to take a picture with their mom.
James with his “Grammie” Mary Jo Dailey at his Catholic confirmation in May 2023. James was Grammie’s baking partner in the kitchen.
Photo taken at big brother Sean’s Catholic confirmation. From left: Uncle Greg, Sean, James, and Aunt Sue.
Photo taken on 2023 at Atlanta Braves vs. White Sox. From left: Sean, Uncle Tim, and James.
Brothers share secrets only they know about.
James and Sean at the Grand Canyon visitor center in the summer of 2016.
Photo was taken of the Oliver family when the boys were in grade school.
One of Aunt Sue’s favorite photos is of the brothers when they were backyard toad wranglers.
James and Sean at Disney World in 2015. Their parents surprised them with the trip the morning they left. It saved “How many more days till Disney?” questions!
The brothers flexing their big muscles with Grandpa Bob.
The Oliver brothers take in the greenery with Grandpa Tim at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in 2016.
James with some of his good friends at Geneva High School. From left: Ellis, James, Hermann, and Joey.
