:( And so.......it is finished

[Mr. Harley]

Condolences to you and yours.

[self biased]

my condolances. i'll always remember his smile, and the way his presence filled whatever room he was in.

[Alex]

my condolences, Tia. I'm sure that your dad is fine wherever he is. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

[germanos]

R.I.P., father of Tiamat.

May you feel peace as well, Tiamat.

[yaroslav]

My condolences, Tia and Sprayber.

[Tiamat]

Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts. Tomorrow I think for me is going to be the hardest day. We have the memorial service tomorrow and the flag will be presented to me so it's going to a battle to get through.

Again having a respite to come to with a house full of people is very welcome.

[Pave]

My condolences, Tia

[Shogun Gunner]

Tia, your description of your father really honors him. Stay strong.

[rah]

Hang in there kid.
Our prayers will be with you.

[boann]

im sorry to read about your dad ....
my heart goes out to you tia..
many hugs and prayers sent your way..

[Jon Shafer]

Be strong Tia, you make him proud.

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Tiamat
You know I always knew my father was an incredible guy but today so many things came to light that I was unaware of. Many of you know he went to West Point and graduated 3rd in his class. He also later went on to teach at the Point. His education was paid for and I found out today that he felt that kids should have a chance to go to college like he did and set up a scholarship fund here at the local college.

He was so incredibly humble. He just considered himself a regular guy. I have to smile at that.

<snip>

I just do not have the words to express the void in my life and in the lives of so many other people that he will leave. My heart aches.

We will have the memorial service on Monday and on Tuesday we will take his ashes as per his request to his favorite fishing hole and lay him to rest.

Such an incredible man.

A Very touching eulogy. Thank you, Ti.

Tomorrow I go to the memorial service for Stephanie Hackett, mother of 3 children under 5 yrs. It was a year-long bout with cancer. But in her final months God used her to bring reconciliation between her husband and his brother, and impress many other people with the need to live with each other here and now. That's evidently a lesson your father learned early and well.

Here's to friends well remembered!

[Tiamat]

What a wonderful, horrible, hard but satisfying day. I don't think I have ever laughed so much in my life at a funeral. You would have to know my father to appreciate this one. The man was always telling jokes. His latest one that he always told the minute he saw a blonde was.......Did you hear the one about the platinum blonde who went to the appraisal district? She wanted to find out if she was a precious mineral or just a common ore

Now you have to have the picture.....ever single blonde nurse that walked into his room he told that one to. I have never in 15 years of going to church with my parents seen so many people in that church. Every single seat was taken. At the very end they began to play taps to which alone I stood while Mr. Sullivan, my fathers friend since third grade moved to me, stood in front of me and said "Mary Jayne I want to present this flag to you for 27 years of faithful service to the United States military, it is a privilege and an honor" and then he saluted me. I am so blessed to have that precious flag to be a constant reminder of who and what my father was besides the memories.

After the service on woman came up to me and said I didn't loose it until I saw you standing at perfect attention and never waivering. She said I don't know how you did that without show some type of emotion, you just stood there at attention. She of course was looking at my back and could not see the tears running down my face but the only thing I could say to her was...... I am my fathers daughter and I could do no less for him.

It's been a rough day but again I can't say enough how much it has helped to have some place to come and blow when needed. Many many thanks.

For my father......

Day is done

Gone the sun

From the lake

From the hills

From the sky

All is well

Rest in peace

God is Nigh



Rest in Peace my Daddy.

[Stuie]

Having lost both my parents, I know what you're going through Tia. Hang in there and always embrace the good memories.