One long ago summer Dave & Donna packed their pick-up with bicycles & a tent.  T.C. & I did the same & followed them.  When we arrived at our 1st evening stop all the stores were closed.  Not to fear.  They came prepared with emergency rations from the Surplus store.  Once the meal was heated over a campfire, we soon heard, "U'm!, U'm!, U'm!, U'm!, U'm!"!!  Dave loved a good meal & that one wasn't bad for 4 hungry campers.  Then it was on to "Barbie Benton's Campground" in Goldrush country.  If you have ever panned for gold at Knott's, you get more there than we found.  We did hear about alot of gold being found at the local laundry-mat.  Seems it fell out of another campers pocket in the wash!  Even though Dave didn't find tons of gold, it turns out he was rich in all the things that count!  Good Bless him & his family.  Hugs to All,  Gracie   

Grandpa, I will miss you more then words can explain! I love you with all my heart. You made 18 years of my life the best with your memories. From each birthday & holiday with you & grandma. I'll miss your hugs the most though, anybody that has ever got a hug from you will know what i mean you always did this rough pat rub thing & all of us grandkids always laughed about how rough it was but now that your gone I would kill just to have one last hug from you. I'll always remember the time you spanked me when I lived in orange for getting sassy with mom. I would always would get mad for being the only grandkid you ever spanked. I could go on forever with every little thing about you. Life will not be the same but at lest I know I have the best guardian angel looking down on me everyday. 

 Our Dad was one of those special men

Who truly knew what life was about

Who demonstrated that his family came first

For his actions left no room for doubt

Our Father's greatest joy was his children

In fact, there was no faster way

To light up his face with an ear-to-ear smile

Than the mention of his own children's names

He preferred to discuss his children's accomplishments

Rather than his own

And loved to recall the sweet memories

Of his young children and how they had grown..."

final verse in the poem:

So as we say goodbye and remember

Our Father's life...the man he came to be

He'd be happiest being remembered by all who knew him

As a man who loved his family 

My dad came over for a visit he did that often .He would say I just need to see my babies.He was taking about me to the youngest grand baby And kylee his granddaughter smiled at him. She was one at the time and he said, wow that's a picket fence with the gate open.Her teeth had not moved together yet.I and all the kids and my dad were laughing so hard.I will hold this memory in my heart forever.