This has been the most difficult week of my life. My father passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Mother's Day. I had just been with him a few hours earlier and he was his normal upbeat, energetic self, joking around with my kids and me. Around 6:45 PM, he was up on a ladder in his back yard working on a roof for a deck that he was building. My mom went out to check on him around 7PM and he was on the ground, face down, laying on his head and shoulder and his face was purple. There were boards lying on top of him. Apparently, he had fallen off the ladder while he was working. He wasn't breathing and had no pulse. When I got there the paramedics were working on him and trying to revive him. I begged and begged my father to come back to us, up to the very last second that they loaded him in the ambulance. They continued to try to revive him at the hospital to no avail. I was in the room with him holding his hand and weeping over him when the doctors finally gave up and called the time of death. At first we thought that he died as a result of the fall. However, the doctors, nurses, and medical examiner believe that he had a heart attack and then fell off the ladder. He was still so young and had so many more years to live.
My entire family is in a state of shock and absolute grief. No one could have ever expected this. My father was such a strong man and took care of everyone. He was the one that everyone depended on. In fact, he was just at my house on Saturday, putting in a new air conditioning unit for us and fixing our oven. He did everything for us. He even built our house and was the reason that I now have my dream home. He was a custom homebuilder and remodeler as his career.
I can't imagine life without him. I've always had him, of course, and was very close to him. I still called him "Daddy". I've never experienced such grief, sorrow, shock, and sense of loss in my life. I just don't know how I'm going to get through this and live a normal life. Normal has always included my Dad and I took that for granted. He was always there for me on a moment's notice and he supported me in every single thing that I did, even if he couldn't relate to it. He showed his love and pride in his children and grandchildren in everything he did.
My Mom and Dad have been together since she was 16 and he was 17. They were married for almost 41 years. I don't know how my mom is going to survive after this. In addition, she is still raising my little brother who is in high school. My brother is way too young to have lost a father. My dad was a father of four and grandfather of seven. Also, my poor grandmother, my dad's mom, is going through so much. My dad was her baby and she is devastated.
My father was the definition of a good and noble man. He always put others' needs before his own and spent his whole life helping, mentoring, and giving to others. He was also heroic and would put his life on the line for others. One time he saved my mother and little sister from a burning truck that was about to explode, even though his legs were on fire. He suffered third degree burns and had to endure a long and painful recovery.
I love my Dad so much. I miss him beyond words. He was a wonderful father and grandfather. I would give almost anything just to have one minute back with my father to hug him, kiss him, and let him know how much I love him and have always appreciated him. I wish I had told him more. I am just utterly devastated.
We had one memorial service in Houston on Thursday for all the family that lives there, but we are having another memorial service in the DFW area this Thursday, May 22nd, at 7PM. I know many of you have met my dad over the years and at our Halloween parties the last two years, so if any of you that have met him or know him, want to attend the memorial, please contact me and I'll give you the details.
Below are a few photos of my dad over the years. I am also posting a folder of photos of him in my photos section.
The last photo I took of my dad with my mom - Christmas 2007
My sister and I with my dad when he dressed up as Santa - late 1970's
Daddy walking me down the aisle - 2001
Dancing with Daddy at my wedding - 2001
My dad playing a role in an Alamo movie - 1986
My dad and mom - 1967
My daughter Faith and brother Colt kissing my dad - 1992
Being grandpa "Bob Bob" with my daughter - 1993
My dad and mom last year
IN LOVING MEMORY OF DADDY - 1948-2008