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It took me a few months to write about this. However with all of the sharing I do online, I should include the passing of my Father. He was an amazing man and Loved by many people. He was a blessing to our world. A true American, through and through. He taught me well, as he was a great parent, teacher, coach, and friend.
Born 1949, my Dad began battling Parkinson’s about 15 years ago. Then in the summer of 2021 he would take his last trip. To Yellowstone. He had traveled the world, and with his wife, literally wrote a book about driving to every state in the lower 48. Something they did just about 10 years ago.
Anyway, he came back from Yellowstone positive for Covid-19. After 3 weeks of bed rest, and no major complications, he beat Covid-19. He had tested negative for Covid and his symptoms were getting much better. He even had the strength to ride his brand new electric bike. At one point in his life, he rode 100 miles a week on his road bicycle.
Then just one week after riding the bike he was having a hard time breathing at night. This lead them to the local walk-in, then to the ER. He wasn’t expected to stay in the ER overnight…but his breathing would not get better. He had pneumonia. Eventually the pneumonia would strip him of his ability to breath and he passed on October 15th.
I went to his memorial and it was pretty great. So many people loved my Dad. We used to talk about death, and life. He would remind me of our true home. Our destiny. To be seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. He was a big believer, and didn’t want me to waste any of my life depressed over his death. Natural grief is a healthy process, but he was just a tough as nails old school kind of guy. Plus, he he never complained about a thing. In his final hours, I remember saying to him, Dad I wish I could take your place. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. His response “Oh this is no big thing, hardly an inconvenience.”
He was a man of great talent, and left quite the legacy. From taking his boat all around the pacific west coast, to cycling Europe. Missions trips to Mexico and Nicaragua. He battled vices as we all do, but always managed to beat whatever came his way. With the help from his Faith.
I remember him working from home, he was a Graphic Designer….and always having time for me. 7 days a week, I could ask him to shoot hoops with me, or throw the football. Watch a football game on TV, or go to get a burger. He was always there, to at least give me his best time. His best attention. His best love as a father should. I’m so proud to have had my father. I’m so blessed to have been raised the way I was.
Lastly, I’ll share a story of us going to the range. He took me shooting when I was about 5. I became obsessed with BB guns and that lead to 22lr. He bought this Chinesium pot metal special at a local sporting goods store for $150. But it wasn’t built like a hi-point. This thing was pre-CA bans, and was closer to a Mac-10 than a Glock. Anyway, I shot thousands of rounds through this gun….And I don’t think my Dad ever cleaned it. Lol. One day, it literally exploded in my hand. Slide going one way, something else going another. I was too young to fully remember the details. But it shook me up. However my Dad took a look at me, and said, “you’re good. Do you want to shoot this other gun?”
Miss you Dad, Love You. (The picture was taken just days after having covid, and a week before he passed.)
Born 1949, my Dad began battling Parkinson’s about 15 years ago. Then in the summer of 2021 he would take his last trip. To Yellowstone. He had traveled the world, and with his wife, literally wrote a book about driving to every state in the lower 48. Something they did just about 10 years ago.
Anyway, he came back from Yellowstone positive for Covid-19. After 3 weeks of bed rest, and no major complications, he beat Covid-19. He had tested negative for Covid and his symptoms were getting much better. He even had the strength to ride his brand new electric bike. At one point in his life, he rode 100 miles a week on his road bicycle.
Then just one week after riding the bike he was having a hard time breathing at night. This lead them to the local walk-in, then to the ER. He wasn’t expected to stay in the ER overnight…but his breathing would not get better. He had pneumonia. Eventually the pneumonia would strip him of his ability to breath and he passed on October 15th.
I went to his memorial and it was pretty great. So many people loved my Dad. We used to talk about death, and life. He would remind me of our true home. Our destiny. To be seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. He was a big believer, and didn’t want me to waste any of my life depressed over his death. Natural grief is a healthy process, but he was just a tough as nails old school kind of guy. Plus, he he never complained about a thing. In his final hours, I remember saying to him, Dad I wish I could take your place. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. His response “Oh this is no big thing, hardly an inconvenience.”
He was a man of great talent, and left quite the legacy. From taking his boat all around the pacific west coast, to cycling Europe. Missions trips to Mexico and Nicaragua. He battled vices as we all do, but always managed to beat whatever came his way. With the help from his Faith.
I remember him working from home, he was a Graphic Designer….and always having time for me. 7 days a week, I could ask him to shoot hoops with me, or throw the football. Watch a football game on TV, or go to get a burger. He was always there, to at least give me his best time. His best attention. His best love as a father should. I’m so proud to have had my father. I’m so blessed to have been raised the way I was.
Lastly, I’ll share a story of us going to the range. He took me shooting when I was about 5. I became obsessed with BB guns and that lead to 22lr. He bought this Chinesium pot metal special at a local sporting goods store for $150. But it wasn’t built like a hi-point. This thing was pre-CA bans, and was closer to a Mac-10 than a Glock. Anyway, I shot thousands of rounds through this gun….And I don’t think my Dad ever cleaned it. Lol. One day, it literally exploded in my hand. Slide going one way, something else going another. I was too young to fully remember the details. But it shook me up. However my Dad took a look at me, and said, “you’re good. Do you want to shoot this other gun?”
Miss you Dad, Love You. (The picture was taken just days after having covid, and a week before he passed.)
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