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We lost a true Jacket fan this week ...
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<blockquote data-quote="BufordBuzz" data-source="post: 694756" data-attributes="member: 2019"><p>Thank you all for your encouraging words and prayers! There is not much better this side of heaven imo than a swarm of Yellow Jackets united in mission and purpose. Here is the remainder of the tribute that I had to break into two parts ... a little homage to Paul Harvey's the "rest of the story" ...</p><p></p><p>My dad was set up on a blind date in late 1958 by his friend and boss at the time. He fell in love with that country girl from Barnesville but had to leave to complete his service commitment. There is an old phrase that says “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I grew up hearing that phrase repeated. It was during this six months of separation that 60 letter volleys were completed between my dad and the love of his life. I am thankful that I still have those letters. My mom and dad were married for 49 years, 6 months and 10 days. They truly loved each other and cared for each other is very special ways. They were a great team and he missed her over the past nearly 11 years.</p><p></p><p>My dad loved his family. As a young couple, they wanted children and lost four to miscarriages. My mother was a modern-day Hannah wanting children so badly and asked God earnestly to bless them. Prior to my premature birth, my mother was bedridden for almost 3 months. With the help of extended family and my mother’s grit, he cared and provided for her during that time. I owe my very life to that care. Later, they adopted a beautiful baby girl and brought her home from the hospital to be added to our family. In later years, both mothers lived with my mom and dad receiving care and honor in their final time. My dad loved his grandchildren and supported them in many activities. He also loved his great-grandchildren and was so proud of his family’s successes.</p><p></p><p>My dad loved people and was an accomplished sales professional. He was involved in several entrepreneurial adventures with family members. The last one was a dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery service called USA-Valet. After my mother’s passed, he made the decision to enroll in a prestigious institute of higher learning and began to learn the finer points of Christmas cheer. He became a professional helper of the jolly old elf himself and offered his services to commercial enterprises as well as charitable causes. He loved his church family and was so appreciative of the kind words, hugs, calls, cards and acts of service that he benefited from. We cannot begin to thank all who encouraged him and especially since my mother passed.</p><p></p><p>My dad wasn’t perfect but he was resilient. He smoked for over 50 years and tried to quit many times during that period. After his 78th birthday, he quit. We often spoke about that life achievement and laughed that he was no “old dog” because he could change. He had both knees replaced in his mid 50s. He rehabbed into shape at warp speed and lamented the fact that he has not done that much earlier. He suffered multiple falls and never broke a bone to my knowledge. That said, he did have a number of spine related issues due in part to the rigorous weight lifting he participated in as a younger man. He had lumber surgery, fused vertebrae and surgery to correct spinal stenosis. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma in the spring of 2017 and the Chemo treatments prescribed were effective in riding his body of that cancer.</p><p></p><p>My dad suffered with mental health issues for over 50 years. There were months-long stays in hospitals to receive treatment, and there were deep and long bouts with severe depression. There were complex medicinal cocktails administered with some level of trial-and-error to help stabilize and sustain his mental state. He suffered but he also helped educate and encourage others. In some cases, those who helped were dealing with things on their own. In other situations, he was offering help to family members and friends in finding perspective and hope. He often used his own experiences and referenced God’s hand in his own journey.</p><p></p><p>My dad suffered with pain, loss, disappointment, unfulfilled desires, embarrassment, bankruptcy, tragedy, separation and heartache. But he pushed through these. Others likely experienced some of these things with contribution from my father’s actions or lack thereof. But again, he pushed through these and pursued peace and forgiveness.</p><p></p><p>My dad had a profoundly positive attitude and outlook over the past decade. He was patient with me and was gracious in so many ways in how he saw events and his place in them. Having to give up driving, using a walker and eventually a wheelchair, moving into our home, receiving difficult news about his health and many other related challenges were seemingly no big deal. At one time in his life, I think they would have been but God was preparing him all along the way. And I see more clearly now that God is preparing me for bigger and better things (2 Corinthians 4:17). And all because of my Dad.</p><p></p><p>Go Jackets!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BufordBuzz, post: 694756, member: 2019"] Thank you all for your encouraging words and prayers! There is not much better this side of heaven imo than a swarm of Yellow Jackets united in mission and purpose. Here is the remainder of the tribute that I had to break into two parts ... a little homage to Paul Harvey's the "rest of the story" ... My dad was set up on a blind date in late 1958 by his friend and boss at the time. He fell in love with that country girl from Barnesville but had to leave to complete his service commitment. There is an old phrase that says “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I grew up hearing that phrase repeated. It was during this six months of separation that 60 letter volleys were completed between my dad and the love of his life. I am thankful that I still have those letters. My mom and dad were married for 49 years, 6 months and 10 days. They truly loved each other and cared for each other is very special ways. They were a great team and he missed her over the past nearly 11 years. My dad loved his family. As a young couple, they wanted children and lost four to miscarriages. My mother was a modern-day Hannah wanting children so badly and asked God earnestly to bless them. Prior to my premature birth, my mother was bedridden for almost 3 months. With the help of extended family and my mother’s grit, he cared and provided for her during that time. I owe my very life to that care. Later, they adopted a beautiful baby girl and brought her home from the hospital to be added to our family. In later years, both mothers lived with my mom and dad receiving care and honor in their final time. My dad loved his grandchildren and supported them in many activities. He also loved his great-grandchildren and was so proud of his family’s successes. My dad loved people and was an accomplished sales professional. He was involved in several entrepreneurial adventures with family members. The last one was a dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery service called USA-Valet. After my mother’s passed, he made the decision to enroll in a prestigious institute of higher learning and began to learn the finer points of Christmas cheer. He became a professional helper of the jolly old elf himself and offered his services to commercial enterprises as well as charitable causes. He loved his church family and was so appreciative of the kind words, hugs, calls, cards and acts of service that he benefited from. We cannot begin to thank all who encouraged him and especially since my mother passed. My dad wasn’t perfect but he was resilient. He smoked for over 50 years and tried to quit many times during that period. After his 78th birthday, he quit. We often spoke about that life achievement and laughed that he was no “old dog” because he could change. He had both knees replaced in his mid 50s. He rehabbed into shape at warp speed and lamented the fact that he has not done that much earlier. He suffered multiple falls and never broke a bone to my knowledge. That said, he did have a number of spine related issues due in part to the rigorous weight lifting he participated in as a younger man. He had lumber surgery, fused vertebrae and surgery to correct spinal stenosis. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma in the spring of 2017 and the Chemo treatments prescribed were effective in riding his body of that cancer. My dad suffered with mental health issues for over 50 years. There were months-long stays in hospitals to receive treatment, and there were deep and long bouts with severe depression. There were complex medicinal cocktails administered with some level of trial-and-error to help stabilize and sustain his mental state. He suffered but he also helped educate and encourage others. In some cases, those who helped were dealing with things on their own. In other situations, he was offering help to family members and friends in finding perspective and hope. He often used his own experiences and referenced God’s hand in his own journey. My dad suffered with pain, loss, disappointment, unfulfilled desires, embarrassment, bankruptcy, tragedy, separation and heartache. But he pushed through these. Others likely experienced some of these things with contribution from my father’s actions or lack thereof. But again, he pushed through these and pursued peace and forgiveness. My dad had a profoundly positive attitude and outlook over the past decade. He was patient with me and was gracious in so many ways in how he saw events and his place in them. Having to give up driving, using a walker and eventually a wheelchair, moving into our home, receiving difficult news about his health and many other related challenges were seemingly no big deal. At one time in his life, I think they would have been but God was preparing him all along the way. And I see more clearly now that God is preparing me for bigger and better things (2 Corinthians 4:17). And all because of my Dad. Go Jackets! [/QUOTE]
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We lost a true Jacket fan this week ...
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