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My dad was one of the most honest, hard working and sincere men I ever knew. He was real and never pretended to be anything or anybody he wasn't. Being a father is not an easy job ~ especially when you have five daughters, but he did the best he could with what he was given and the little time he had. In my opinion, that's what makes a good father. As the saying goes, "Anyone can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad." He loved life and lived his to the fullest. He lived for the moment. He didn't hold grudges from yesterday and he didn't worry about what tomorrow might bring. This makes his parting less painful because he had no regrets. This is truly a day of celebration because one of God's children has found his way home. We shouldn't mourn because he would not have wanted it that way. He is happy and in no more pain, sitting in the presence of his Maker. The body he left behind is but a shell of who he really was. The part of him we all know and love still lives on in Heaven. He's only waiting for the rest of us to join him there in a big family reunion in the sky. Let's not say good~bye to him today. Good~bye is so final. Let's say fare thee well and we'll miss you. And by the amazing grace of our Heavenly Father, we'll see you again in our forever home...I love you Daddy!

by Lady Viktoria
March 14, 2001

My father was in a horrible car accident on February 13, 2001. He died on March 10th as a result of that accident. I drove to Kansas to see him when my mom called with the horrible news. It was so hard to see him like that. My dad was never a helpless man, but here he was lying there helpless, totally dependent on the doctors for his life, tubes everywhere. I had such hope that he would get better and just go home like nothing had ever happened. It wasn't to be so. I had only known him for the past 12 years...he was only 53 years old...it was too soon for him to die. I imagined that he'd grow old and that somewhere down the line I would help take care of him when he could no longer take care of himself. I had a chance to witness to him before he died and I believe he accepted Jesus into his heart and is now in heaven with Him waiting for the rest of his family to join him. I realize that my father did get healed, The Ultimate Healing. I will always cherish the 12 wonderful years I knew my dad. I'll always remember the special things about him, how he loved John Wayne movies, how he always hummed to himself, how he always made "bunny noses" at me even with a broken nose in the hospital, how he smelled, how he always had a cigar in his mouth, how his eyes always smiled at me when he looked at me, how much he loved his wife. I'll always cherish every memory made with him. I'll hold on and never forget...