August 10, 2007 – August 5, 2021

James (Jimmy) Michael Raetzke passed away unexpectedly on August 5, 2021, Jimmy would have been 14 years old on August 10, 2021. Jimmy was born in Webster, Texas, on August 10, 2007, and he lived in Friendswood, Texas with his father, mother, and his older brother Joshua.

Jimmy was a sweet, gentle, and loving soul, who never quit despite the obstacles placed before him. He brought joy to everyone he met.  Jimmy started with obstacles. He was non-verbal until he was about 4 and diagnosed with Autism. When he did learn to speak, he would translate our son Joshua to us and he eventually taught his older brother to speak despite his own problems. Both my sons endured years of medical testing, therapy, and other hardship associated with autism but as time progressed Jimmy started to thrive and improve. Most parents measure their children's progress in milestones, we measure ours in cm. With a great amount of effort Jimmy soon was out of special ed classes and in normal classes. We watched with pride as Jimmy conquered one milestone after another. When he entered middle school Jimmy wanted to play the violin. We were not sure if he would be able to handle it but we encouraged him to try and he soon started playing better and better.  We were so proud every time he had a competition or concert. Jimmy soon started to make A's and B's and made the honor roll several times. Jimmy’s teachers would always tell me what a joy he was to have in their class or how he put a smile on their faces.

Jimmy loved to be with his friends, he loved music, to play video games, he loved to play Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario Brothers, and Pokémon, He also loved to learn, question, and explore the world around him. Jimmy loved spending time with his family and travel to places like the Texas Renaissance Festival or out west to Yellowstone National Park.

Jimmy is survived by his loving father, Jeffrey Raetzke, his loving mother, Sonya Raetzke, his loving brother Joshua Raetzke, his paternal grandparents, William Raetzke and Eleanor Raetzke, his maternal grandfather Alan Mayfield. Jimmy will be in Heaven with his maternal grandmother Mava Mayfield.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funreal Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 (281) 992-7200.

The funeral service will be held of Friday, August 20, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel, 505 Deseret Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 with Bishop Jed Webb officiating.  Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to offset the cost of the funeral (Venmo@Sonya-Raetzke) or donate to the Autism on the Seas in Jimmy's name at www.autismontheseas.com.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane

We would walk up to Heaven and bring him home again. 

No farewell words were spoken no time to say goodbye

you were gone before we knew it only God knows why

Our hearts ache with sadness and tears still flow

What it meant to love you no one can ever know

But now I know you want us to mourn you no more

To remember all the happy times life has much in store

Since you'll never be forgotten we pledge to you today

A cherished place within our heart is where you'll always stay.

Love Mom, Dad, and Joshua

Author Unknown