James Gibson Alverson, IV
April 11, 2003 ~ November 20, 2023
Born in:
Leesburg, Virginia
Resided in:
Falls Church , Virginia
James Gibson Alverson IV – known to all as Jimmy – passed away peacefully at age 20 on November 20, 2023, surrounded by his family at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. His death resulted from complications of medulloblastoma brain cancer, with which he was diagnosed in 2015, and AML leukemia.
Jimmy was a lifelong resident of the City of Falls Church. He participated in Falls Church Kiwanis Little League and Greater Vienna Babe Ruth baseball, Falls Church recreation league basketball, soccer, and flag football, high school golf, and Cub Scout Pack 657 and Scout Troop 895. He graduated from George Mason High School in 2021. At the time of his death, Jimmy was a junior at James Madison University, where he majored in sports and recreation management. He was a member of Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington.
Jimmy is survived by his parents, Susan and Jim, his sister and his brother-in-law Sarah and Neil Menon, his brother John, his sister Rebecca, his grandmother Judy Alverson of North Tustin, California, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A private burial service for Jimmy took place at Oakwood Cemetery in the City of Falls Church. A celebration of Jimmy’s life will occur at a later date.
Memorial contributions in Jimmy’s Name may be made to one of the following organizations for Children with Cancer
The Casey Cares Foundation https://www.caseycares.org/
Special Love https://specialove.org/
Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation https://www.believeintomorrow.org/
Camp Sunshine, Casco, Maine https://www.campsunshine.org/
The Owners and Staff at the Money and King Funeral Home, wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call us anytime as we are always available to you.
Bob Gallagher
Funeral Director
We were blessed to know Jimmy from toddlerhood. He was such a kind and sweet person from the beginning.
His memory will always be a blessing to all who crossed paths with him.
We had the privilege of watching Jimmy grow up, as neighbors. While valiantly battling cancer, Jimmy was always cheerful, quick to ask us questions, and relational. We have been inspired by Jimmy – living life to the fullest whether playing baseball or basketball or heading off to college – and the Alverson family. May he rest in peace, and may the Lord grant the Alverson family joy in the midst of sorrow.
A favorite memory of mine is when Johnny had just started playing Rec basketball in 2nd grade – jarrett and John’s team were facing each other and there was Jimmy- big brother on the side line cheering on Johnny and giving lots of helpful feedback to his little brother on the court;) Jimmy could write a dissertation on how to face tremendous challenges with courage and fortitude. His will to live life to the fullest was a sight to behold! Also a beautiful sight is watching his family endure and sacrifice immensely as they supported Jimmy and did all they could to help him fight his bold battle with cancer. We love the Alverson family and find great peace in knowing that families can be eternal🤍
Jimmy was apart of the organization Dukes Against Childhood Cancer at JMU. He was the sweetest, strongest soul that was determined to be know for more than just as cancer patients (and he was). Jimmy always had a new idea to bring to the table and always knew how to make someone laugh. Jimmy was a major part of DACC and he will forever be missed.
We are so heartbroken for our next door neighbors, the Alverson family. They have shown such strength throughout Jimmy’s battle throughout the years. We will remember Jimmy playing catch in the yard with John and Jim, umpiring at our local Little League, passing out Halloween candy from his porch and us overhearing family cheers burst from the home during Chiefs games. Jimmy ALWAYS stopped to say a friendly hello if he was outside or coming to and from the car to the house. There will soon be a new brick in the walkway at Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine in his memory. Sending peace, strength and love to Jim, Susan, John, Sarah & Neil, Rebecca Jane and, of course, Molly. Our porch is always open for you.
I had the privilege of being Jimmy’s “big” in the coed business fraternity, Sigma Rho Mu at James Madison University. Jimmy was the sweetest human and I am so grateful I got the opportunity to get to know him these last couple years. He will be missed tremendously. Love you forever Jimmy!
I will remember the sweet demeanor and confident stature of Jimmy in cub scout uniform as the younger boys looked up to him in Pack 657. Found a picture from 10 years ago of him towing little sister Rebecca at the Alverson-led July 4 Parade on Cameron road– one of many fond memories we share with such welcoming neighbors. We cannot imagine the grief you are feeling and deeply hope and pray that these joyful memories will shine through the sorrow.
A wonderful and very talented young man who handled the unfairness and tragedy of cancer at such a young age with courage and tenacity. He has been through much more than most of us will ever encounter in a lifetime. The last time my wife and I saw him he was not talking about his disease, but rather was helping me solve a problem that I was having with my phone. He invited me to touch base with him if the problem manifested itself again. He was thinking about me and my phone more than he was thinking about his own situation. I’ll never forget that. He was a remarkable human being, and one I will always remember with affection and gratitude at having known him. He will always be a hero to me. Be happy in your new life on the other side, Jimmy. You deserve it.
I had the great privilege of meeting Jimmy and the Alverson family during his Falls Church Little League days. Jimmy was so coachable, and a tremendous teammate bringing constant positivity. He was really coming into his own the previous season with the realizations of what he could do on a baseball field. As the following spring season rolled around, I’m sure he anticipated great things from himself as he had every reason to. However, as we all found out, God had a much different plan. Instead of baseball statistics, Jimmy produced courage, perseverance, and inexhaustible desire, all while displaying his indomitable spirit.
Immediately following the initial operation and at the start of an arduous recovery process, he got out his calendar, and figured out how long he had until seasons end. Jimmy joyfully returned and made the most of every opportunity while uplifting us all; not only our team but everyone across the league. One play I will never forget as it summarized how he approached life. He was on third base and a clean single was hit between third and short into left field. Jimmy could have easily walked home and scored. Instead he ran as hard as he could sliding into home plate as if scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of game seven of the World Series.
His was a soaring life well lived, and now no longer confined by his body, I know Jimmy is soaring to even greater heights and is rooting for us all. I am so grateful to know him. God Bless Jimmy and God Bless Team Alverson.
Peace, Coach Webb
As a relative of dear Jimmy, I was able to enjoy family events
during their summer and holiday visits over the years. I wish
there had been more time together. Jimmy always impressed me
with his politeness, sense of humor, and ability to listen with
interest to what others said. He was an intelligent and enthusiastic
person who would have made is great grandfather, James Gibson
Alverson, very proud.
I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with him and admire his
courageous spirit during his battle with cancer over the years.
His family did a wonderful job along with his doctors in providing
the maximum quality of life for him.
I will never forget dear Jimmy and the his school graduation photo
I have will always be a great reminder of his amazing spirit.
Love always,
Randy Bramstedt
We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jimmy and the whole Alverson family since our Mt Daniel days. The boys spent time together at High Point Pool, the FCC Community Center basketball court (they were on the same team at least 2 years, maybe more?), Cub Scouts, and of course at all the Falls Church City Public Schools. Pretty sure we all cried when Jimmy had his Fight Song solo during the MEH choir concert.
Please know we are all thinking of you, Alverson Family, and celebrating Jimmy’s incredible life while mourning that he was taken far too soon. May his memory always be a blessing for all those whose lives he touched
Brittanie, Dan, Jonah, and Brandon Werbel
I don’t remember meeting Jimmy, he’s just always been around. He was on our bus on the way to kindergarten and first grade, so it had to be around then that my brother and I first met him. When you’re young you become closest to those in close proximity to you, and Jimmy was one of those people. We live very close by so Jimmy, my brother Peter, Carter Mackinnon, and I were a band of young boys growing up together. As we got older we all stuck together and really influenced each other during the fundamental parts of our lives.
The day Jimmy got emergency surgery, we were supposed to go to house to work on a science project. We waited for him on the bus, waited for him outside of his house, then eventually went home confused. Our parents told us what had happened and since then, our lives have been different. Till the day I die, I will remember the day he came back and played in a Little League game after his first round of treatment. I’ll remember where I was, who I was with, and the tangible feeling of joy spread throughout the crowd.
Throughout the rest of our schooling Jimmy remained a part of all of our lives, but he couldn’t really grow up like we were. Treatment had stunted his growth and because we were a sporty group, he was often given the role of referee. Something I’ll always regret is maintaining the belief that that made him happy and using that as justification to keep doing things he couldn’t. I wish we had done more things he could do and I wish I could tell him that. The one thing we always had, no matter what, was our fantasy football league. We’re finishing up the 8th year and since its inception, Jimmy has been an essential part of our league. We all miss him dearly, and playing won’t be the same without him.
Each of us who knew him will think about Jim for the rest of our lives. For me, I’ll think about him every time I do something new. I’ll tell myself “you’re here, but Jim can’t be.” “He’ll never be able to have this.” That used to make me horribly sad. Now, I’ve come to see it as a responsibility. He can’t be with us, so it’s our job to live joyfully for him. I want to live with as much joy as he did and hopefully make him proud.
Brother, I love and miss you so much. Home isn’t the same without you, and all of us here wish we had more time with you. We’ll take care of your family, your home, and your Chiefs for you as long as we’re around. I’m grateful for the time we had with you and that you’re able to rest now. See you when I see you Jim, thinking about you always.
My family has known the Alversons seemingly forever; our boys played baseball and basketball together and Jimmy, Jack and Peter were in the same scout den. Whenever I think of him, I think of a smile going from ear to ear, regardless of whether we were on a hot dusty baseball field or on a freezing scout campout. I also remember seeing him walk to school in freezing weather, proudly sporting shorts — I would remind him that he wasn’t a Californian…and he’d give me that smile.
My mind goes back to our boys’ league 12 season in little league, after Jimmy’s initial treatments. He couldn’t play to start the season and was very weak from the chemo. I remember him coming back late that season and playing in a game, stealing bases, pitching, and bringing the crowd to its feet. I’ve been to World Series games that didn’t have that excitement. I’ve known decorated soldiers who didn’t display his courage.
I was privileged to know this young man and am so incredibly saddened that he was taken far too soon. I hope that his family knows how much he was loved, how many lives he touched, and how fondly he will be remembered.
I had the pleasure of teaching Jimmy in the 5th grade back in 2013-14. He was smart and polite, friendly and well known. He was also quick to detect sarcasm and had a great sense of humor… I can’t say enough good things about him. I always said that if I had a son, I hoped he’d grow up to be a sweet, well-rounded kid just like Jimmy.
My heart breaks for his family and his friends, and I hope that they find some comfort in his memory.
My favorite memory is when we all went to Huntington Beach and had a bonfire. It was a perfect California day. The ocean was unseasonably warm that year and the waves were high. We were all body surfing. Jimmy didn’t have full use of his limbs but he jumped the waves and bodysurfed along with the rest of us with a big smile on his face. Roasted hot dogs and sausages and then s’mores late into the night. Our family picture on the beach. It was a good day.
Jimmy was always the one I hung out with when our families did things together. He was a constantly cheerful presence in my early life, and I share many of my childhood memories with him. Biking down the street we grew up on together. Hanging out as my mom gave birth to my little sister. Introducing me to the family turtles. Playing together at the park on July 4ths for a decade. Watching football together on Thanksgiving. He was always exceptionally kind and I’m really going to miss him. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. I’ll always cherish our memories together, and wish we could’ve made more. Rest in peace king
Jimmy was so inspiring and his love of life, contagious. I appreciated so much his fight! It was my honor to serve as his academic advisor. He truly gave so much to JMU and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to know him, work with him, and learn from him. Thank you Jimmy for sharing such a gift with the Hart School and JMU by simply being you! You are missed.
I had the privilege of teaching Jimmy in 2nd grade. What a kind and caring soul he was! Our classroom was a better place because he was a member. We should all be like Jimmy. Wishing the Alverson family comfort and peace.
I was very sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. My daughters, Nora and Lydia, and I remember fondly our adventures with the Alverson family at the Family Life retreat when all the kids were toddlers and grade-school age. I will keep your family in my prayers. Jimmy was an inspiration to so many people.
It was an honor to be in youth group with Jimmy for so many years. Really enjoyed climbing the Rock Spring tree with him, and he always had a clever joke to make. Despite all that he was going through, he always showed up and had the most positive outlook on life. We all loved Jimmy so dearly, and he will be missed always.
Dear Susan, Jim, Sarah, Johnny and Rebecca,
Thank you so much for allowing our family to love Jimmy. He was such a sweet kid— always chatty— and just a truly kind boy. Our neighborhood was made better because of him.
So many memories of him growing through the years. A personal favorite is when we all decorated cookies for the holidays. Jimmy was so stinkin’ cute, licking the icing, helping the younger kiddos with their cookies, and obviously just so excited for Christmas! And his face when Santa loudly came down the street in his fire truck— dancing, waving, calling hello to Santa and hollering for a candy cane. Oh, he was edible!
Even at the lowest points, Jimmy was smiling. Such a bright star. We’ll miss him always and will never forget him. Thank you bringing him into our lives.
We cherish our memories of Jimmy and are grateful to have known him. Thank you for sharing him.
With love,
The Hills