James C. Halikman

James “Jim, Jimmy” Courtleigh Halikman, of Feasterville, PA, formerly of Fort Myers, FL and always happy being at 16th Street in North Wildwood, NJ passed away at 1:35am on November 21, 2023, with his family by his side after watching one more Eagles victory. 

Born in Memphis, TN on September 6, 1941, the son of Courtleigh & Ernestine Halikman.  He is survived by the love of his life and best friend in life Barbara “Hon,” his four children, Sherri Brinkmann, James Halikman, Linda Heim (husband Ronald) and son Jeff Halikman (wife Karin.)  He was the poppop of all poppop’s to his grandchildren, Allison Brinkmann, Robert Brinkmann (wife Lizzie), Ryan Brinkmann (wife Aly), Anthony Hikes (fiancé Cara Jo), Jacalyn Hikes-Garzillo (husband Michael), Jason Heim, Noelle Halikman, Charlie Halikman, James Halikman and his two great-granddaughters Olivia Brinkmann and Cecilia Garzillo and a third great-grandchild on the way.  Also survived by sister Miriam Dunn (husband Joseph) and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Thomas and sister-in-law Ruthann Halikman.

Jim and Barb tied the knot 61 years ago on March 3, 1962, and have been the truest example of LOVE.  They met in high school and their first date was a bus trip to the Palestra to watch their high school basketball team.  Other than when Jim was overseas, these romantic lovebirds spent nearly every second of their lives together, whether it was listening to Willie Nelson, driving across the country in their RV, watching sporting events on tv big and small, going to potluck dinners in Fort Myers, attending recitals, watching a grandchild play a sport, lying on the beach in North Wildwood and Fort Myers Beach (Jim on his side of course) or tailgating for many Eagles game.  Devoted he was, there was never an event he would say no to attending with his soulmate if she asked him to go.  He would watch any show that she wanted to watch, because he would do anything to make her happy, including their final night at home watching Dancing with the Stars.  No person drove more miles to buy chocolate for his love, for every possible holiday and countless other times because he thought she deserved it.  He set the bar to a level very few will ever equal.  True Love!

A graduate of Delhaas high school in 1959 he served in the U.S. Army, as a military police officer. Stationed in Schwetzingen, Germany before returning home to Bristol, PA in 1964.  After returning from Germany he began his life of hard work to provide for his family, working at Sears, Grants and Thom McCann shoe store before becoming a Bristol Borough police officer, eventually joining the Lower Makefield P.D., then returning to the Bristol Borough P.D. before spending his next two-plus decades as a member of the Bristol Township P.D., while proudly completing his Associates Degree at Bucks County Community College.  After endless years of double shifts to make ends meet and retirement from the police department in 1992, he continued his hard work as an accident reconstructionist until 2022.  After furthering his education at Northwestern University and the Institute of Police Technology and Management in Jacksonville, FL Jim began teaching accident reconstruction courses in all surrounding areas of Bucks County, Philadelphia and around the country.

Jim was a member of the PBA, NATARI (The National Association of Traffic Accident Reconstructionists and Investigators) fraternal organization of Freemasonry, the Moose, and the Elks, but he never sought recognition.  All he wanted to do was do something to help someone else.  If one of his children called with a question about fixing a light at 11pm, he’d jump in the car and drive over, with Barb in tow.  If you needed help hanging curtains, he’d show up unannounced with molly bolts and start hanging your curtain rod whether you were home or not, with Barb in tow.  He would snow plow all his neighbors’ sidewalks just because and he would cut the grass at the shore of many neighbors.  He would always do anything to help anyone.        

After retirement he really enjoyed his time with Barb and his family in Fort Myers, FL, and North Wildwood.  Always looking at you with a smile and saying, “This is great, isn’t it?”  He loved the Phillies and watched every single game.  The one thing he never gave up on was his Philadelphia Eagles.  A season ticket holder since 1969 at Franklin Field, to The Vet and still to this day at Lincoln Financial field his love of the Eagles couldn’t be matched.  He shared his enthusiasm attending games with many friends and family.  He never booed, but occasionally a loud, “C’MON, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” came out.  He never predicted a loss.  Despite his despise for temperatures below 70 degrees he really enjoyed tailgating with friends, family, eventually his grandchildren and of course his soulmate, week after week until he finally watched his favorite team reach the ultimate goal in Super Bowl 52 while tears of joy ran down his face.  

Walks on the beach and boardwalk, holidays and being with family and watching the Eagles and Phillies will never be the same without him, but he has created many memories that will be carried on with the people he shared his life with, a part of him will never leave us.

We love and will always miss you - “Hon, Dad, Poppop, Uncle Jim, Jim, Jimmy and Mr. H.”

Family and friends are invited to gather Tuesday, December 5, 2023, from 12 - 1 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, 5918 Bristol – Emilie Road, Levittown, PA 19057. Interment will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery under the direction of Galzerano Funeral Home.

GO BIRDS!!! 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bristol Twp. PBA, P.O. Box 721, Levittown, PA 19058 or the Wounded Warrior Project 

Wounded Warrior Project