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| This verse is how my dad lived his life. |
My dad passed away on April 5th. It was a surprise and a shock all wrapped up in one terrible package. He had suffered from Dementia for many years, and we knew there was no cure- no chance of him getting better. The shock came after. With this terrible virus invading our land, we couldn’t have a proper service to celebrate his life. In fact, we felt that we needed to rush and have our small family service so that we could each get back home to “hunker down” as our states are requesting.
Grandkids didn’t get to come. Family and friends didn’t get to hug us and tell us stories. We didn’t get to celebrate his life in a way that was worthy of the great man he was. It makes it very sad and very hard to cope with it all.
This post is my way of honoring him! He was such a good man and a wonderful influence on my life!
I spoke a few words at his service, and this is what I said.
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| They loved taking us on fun trips!! |
Our worlds are all smaller today because someone we loved and cared for very much is no
longer on this earth with us. I will be as bold as to say that the state of Texas is a bit smaller
today because a true Texas character is gone.
longer on this earth with us. I will be as bold as to say that the state of Texas is a bit smaller
today because a true Texas character is gone.
Daddy always said that someday he would write a book about his business dealings and he
would title it, Characters I Have Known. Well, he was the character of all characters!! A
shrewd businessman, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a wonderful husband, a caring
grandfather, and most importantly to me, a loving father– among many other wonderful
things.
would title it, Characters I Have Known. Well, he was the character of all characters!! A
shrewd businessman, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a wonderful husband, a caring
grandfather, and most importantly to me, a loving father– among many other wonderful
things.
Daddy loved to tell stories. If you talked to him about anything, he had a story to tell you on
the subject. He just plain loved to talk. It was probably the thing that drove my mother the
most crazy- opposites truly do attract because she is a woman of very few words!! He was
a man of many words and many stories.
the subject. He just plain loved to talk. It was probably the thing that drove my mother the
most crazy- opposites truly do attract because she is a woman of very few words!! He was
a man of many words and many stories.
It’s funny though, I sadly couldn’t tell you very many stories verbatim that I’ve heard over the
years. I had heard some of the same ones over and over… it wasn’t his stories that taught
me the most lessons. It was through his actions that I learned the most about living a good
life.
years. I had heard some of the same ones over and over… it wasn’t his stories that taught
me the most lessons. It was through his actions that I learned the most about living a good
life.
Daddy lived out what he talked about. He lived out what he said he believed. He was a good
man. And, I’m so thankful that he was my dad.
man. And, I’m so thankful that he was my dad.
So what did he teach me? I think the most valuable lesson was to live out my faith. He was
a Christian. He lived a Christian life. It’s as simple as that.
a Christian. He lived a Christian life. It’s as simple as that.
Daddy had a servant’s heart. He openly served his Lord. He loved to sing hymns. He served
as a deacon of First Baptist Church, Hereford, Texas and First Baptist Church of Gorman.
I remember specifically him going and sitting with people dying in the hospital so their families
could go home for rest. I remember once him going and sitting with a deceased man from our
church because the widow was worried about the body being alone.
as a deacon of First Baptist Church, Hereford, Texas and First Baptist Church of Gorman.
I remember specifically him going and sitting with people dying in the hospital so their families
could go home for rest. I remember once him going and sitting with a deceased man from our
church because the widow was worried about the body being alone.
Daddy served his employees. He loved and cared for them all. He once employed a young
man fresh out of high school in whom he saw a lot of potential. The boy was somewhat lazy
and would sleep instead of showing up for work. Daddy would go to the boy’s house and
drag him out of bed to come to work!!! He believed in him. That boy grew up and called him
several years ago to let him know that he is successful in his life. He thanked Daddy for
believing in him!!!– what a legacy.
man fresh out of high school in whom he saw a lot of potential. The boy was somewhat lazy
and would sleep instead of showing up for work. Daddy would go to the boy’s house and
drag him out of bed to come to work!!! He believed in him. That boy grew up and called him
several years ago to let him know that he is successful in his life. He thanked Daddy for
believing in him!!!– what a legacy.
I also remember once when an employee tragically took his own life. It was a terrible time,
and both of my parents were so upset by it. When my dad wasn’t home when he should be,
I asked my mom where he was. She said he had gone to that man’s house to clean up where
he had taken his life so his family wouldn’t have to do it. I will never forget that.
and both of my parents were so upset by it. When my dad wasn’t home when he should be,
I asked my mom where he was. She said he had gone to that man’s house to clean up where
he had taken his life so his family wouldn’t have to do it. I will never forget that.
Daddy served his family. I never doubted his love for me, my sister, Susan or my mom. And,
don’t get me started on his love for his grandkids!! There are no words to describe the joy,
pride, and love that he had for those four kids.
don’t get me started on his love for his grandkids!! There are no words to describe the joy,
pride, and love that he had for those four kids.
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| He loved his grandkids! |
There are endless stories that can be told about how he served us all. I remember calling
him on 9-11. I asked him how he was and what he was doing. He told me he was fine that
he was sitting at his desk praying!! That, in a nutshell, sums up my dad.
him on 9-11. I asked him how he was and what he was doing. He told me he was fine that
he was sitting at his desk praying!! That, in a nutshell, sums up my dad.
I always felt safe knowing that I could turn to my mom and dad for anything no matter how
old I was. When my first husband passed away, my dad was one of the first people I called.
And, I have no doubt that when he hung up that phone he was praying. My parents came
immediately. They helped me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I will be
eternally grateful to them both.
old I was. When my first husband passed away, my dad was one of the first people I called.
And, I have no doubt that when he hung up that phone he was praying. My parents came
immediately. They helped me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I will be
eternally grateful to them both.
As much as we will all miss him, I hope we never forget hearing his voice reminding me to
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
And
“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a know in it and hang on.”
I’m hearing him say both these days!!
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