r. nbc jennifer johnson with more on how world leaders are remembering america's 41st president. >> reporter: the white house flag flying at hal staff. the president's secretary of state and close friend james baker was with him in his final moments. >>ery last words he spoke were spoken to president bush 43 who hadold him how much he loved him and he would see him on the other side. 41 said i love you too. >> repter: president bush's former joint chiefs of staff chair calls him the perfect president. >> he was a product of his parents. he told them don't show up. just always rr you're humble. you work for people. you serve people. >> reporter: praise from his former defense secretary too who oversaw operation desert storm. >> he was superb and his leadership in theulf war was remarkable. >> reporter: tributes pouringn worldwide. >> president bush had the world to a peaceful transition at the end of the cold war. >> reporter: flowers and gifts are being left outside the bush compounds in maine as vigilsre held at the bush school of government at texas a&m. s s s >> you can tell th spirit is