Dad was born May 6, 1946 in Dennison, Ohio. He grew up on
a farm with 2 brother�s and 3 sister�s.
On June 6, 2002 dad was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc
Disease. The Dr. had prescribed some medication for him,
one being Neurontin. After that day dad�s life seem to go
down hill. He was in so much pain that he couldn�t work. In
January 2003 dad attempted to take his life, luckily, he did
not succeed. I talked him into moving in with me. We got him
to go to counseling to see if they could figure out what was
going on with him that he was so depressed.
April 2003 things look like they are starting to look up for him.
He got his own apartment and seemed to be somewhat happy
to be on his own again. But I could see that he still wasn�t
himself. The laughter and the mile long smile
just weren�t there like they use to be. Dad kept telling me that
he was ok but I didn�t really believe him.
On June 1st I went to see and check on him. I had been
painting my apartment all weekend and hadn�t heard anything
out of him like I usually did. When my son and I walked into his
apartment he got out of his chair and just hugged Josh and I
like he�s never hugged us before. Dad just held on to us not
wanting to let go and I could see his eye�s tearing up. I didn�t
get to stay long with him because I had to get home and get
my son ready for bed. He didn�t want us to leave. Dad was so
not like himself. The next day I went to check on him. He had
seemed better than the day before. My son wanted to stay the
night with �pa� so he did. Tuesday after work I picked my son
up and he seemed alright. I didn�t get to go check on him on
Wednesday. Thursday after talking to my sister on the phone
I went to check on him. Dad seemed happier and in better
spirit�s. Which made me feel a little better seeing he was
having a good day or seemed to be but I was still worried
about him. We made plans to go fishing for the first time that
summer. Also had talked about taking my son to go see the
airplanes. I left but before I leave I always give him a hug and
kiss and tell him I love him. On Friday, June 6th, I was at work
and at 1:37 p.m. I had the worst feeling come over me. Like
something wasn�t just right but I didn�t know what. My shift was
over I was going to go to dad�s after work but decided to go
home first. Still had the feeling something just wasn�t right. I
was at my mom�s (we live next to each other) not even ten
minutes and the phone call came in. His girlfriend of 11 years
had just found him. Our nightmare had begun. Mom drove me
to my dad�s apartment. The Sheriff would not let me in to see
him, which now I thank God he didn�t. Dad had left letter�s but
it took a month to get them. I now believe that June 1st dad
knew that he was gonna leave us. Our lives have been forever
changed. In November 2003 we found out that the pill
Neurontin that dad was taking can cause suicidal tendencies.
We will never know for sure if that�s what happened to dad.
What I do know is one moment my dad is here laughing and
the next he�s gone.
I hope that by reading this memorial you will realize that suicide
is not the answer and that to many lives are affected by one
person�s choice.
