Employees Reflect on Their Time With Jim Maloof

PEORIA - The people who worked with Jim Maloof day in and day out are sharing their memories of him. The former mayor passed away on Saturday at the age of 93.

Things are different this week at Jim Maloof Realtor's Pioneer Parkway office in Peoria. Staff members said they miss everything about the company's founder.

Carol Urish said, "Jim came in every single day and he would bring his little dog Max. We called him Office Max."

Carolyn Dickerson said, "I think I miss walking by his office and him yelling, 'Dickerson come in here' or 'Dickerson take this is to Sean!'"

Laura Behrens said, "His laughter... he laughed and you just automatically contagiously laughed with him."

They're all finding peace in sharing their memories. They're hanging on to notes and cards, laughing and spending time surrounded by his things.

Blanch Slyman said, "He would remember a house from 20 years ago, 10 years ago. He knew everyone and he really knew them."

Dickerson said, "He always had that personal touch. He always called our clients and you know, I listed a house yesterday and that's what I thought that they're not going to get that phone call."

Urish added, "Whenever we would be leaving, he would always say 'love you more!'"

Now his office sits empty, but these people will tell you... he'll never really be gone.

Urish said, "There is a big, empty void here. And along with those words, I must say that into each of us he tucked a little piece of himself."

Behrens said, "He always had that little something special that set him a part from everyone else, and I think that's what we strive to do now."

Slyman added, "It says in the bible, 'I have many houses.' He has so many houses yet to visit, because he's just touched so many lives."

The staff is remembering Maloof with a green ribbon tribute and a website that allows anyone to log on and share their memories.

You can do that at www.iamjimmaloof.com.