JANUARY 7,1939
OCTOBER 8, 2001
He was very patriotic and really cared what was going on around him.
He wasn't perfect. Sometimes he made foolish mistakes, but deep down he had a good heart.
He fought terrible inner battles that almost cost him his soul. But in the end, when it really mattered, he surrendered to the One who was truly greater than any trouble that he had.
His health was completely taken from him shortly before he died, but he remained strong in spirit until he breathed his last.
He especially liked gardening. His gardens were truly his works of art. If he could be called an artist, his vegetables were his paints and the soil was his canvas.
He tried to instill in us the desire to grow things. To bring life from the earth.
I enjoy working with plants, although vegetable gardening isn't one of my strong points. You have to have good soil. So far I haven't lived in a suitable location to have a good garden.
I do enjoy an abundance of houseplants and flowers though.
His legacy lives on within me, only somewhat changed.
He also tried to get us interested in being auto mechanics.
Only my brother Mark became one.
Scott, my other brother, is a computer technician.
I tried to be an auto mechanic for three years.
I learned to change my oil and filter and my tires. Other than that, auto mechanics is just not for me.
Sorry dad.
But one thing is kind of funny. I work in retail, and one of the departments I work in the most, is the automotive department.
Maybe dad's influence still lives within me, just somewhat different.
My dad was 19.
My mom was 15.
So young.
So happy.
They knew not what the next forty years would bring them.
Three sons.
One daughter. Dead after only a few hours. God decided that he needed her with Him to be our family's little "guardian angel."
Now dad has gone to be with her.
Now we have two special "angels".
We are wonderfully blessed!
