How does james deal with his stroke? What was his stepfather last words to james?(chapter12)

At age 72, Hunter complained of a headache and then suffered a stroke. He improved a little, and asked James to take him for a drive, during which he said to him: "y'all are special...And just so special to me..." He told James that since he was the eldest in the house now, he needed to watch his mother and the younger kids. Two days later, Jordan had a relapse and passed away.