Dad you loved, protected, provided, taught, raised, guided, and cared for me so. I remember when we worked together.  An Honor I achieved for my Academic Excellence. The many talks we had about everything and all you taught me still.  Our wonderful lunches together at the best restaurants in Dallas, your friends, Gunter who joined us for lunch, I'm greatful to have friends in High Places, Your Friend who worked on the border who would get me and my girlfriends condos on South Padre for vacations, Mr. Worytch, when we lived in Glendale Heights, Illinois. that we had great friendships with Rick and Renae, Mr. Homer McCain in New Orleans and his daughter Elizabeth who have been great family friends and transferred to Dallas when we did and moved to DeSoto, Texas in 1978 where Elizabeth and I attended 7th-12rh grade together at DeSoto Jr High, and graduated in 1984 at DeSoto School High.

All the family vacations you took us on, to the Poconos to visit Grandma and Grandpa at the log cabin he built, letting us out of the car so we could run up the to the cabin and surprise Grandma while you and mom continued to drive up.  To Naples, Florida to visit Grandpa and Grandpa there and the white sand beaches and after stepping on a stingray and it flapped up  and scared me so that to this day I wear shoes into the water, to Walt Disney World, San Antonio to visit all our relatives there of which Rudy and Aunt Lydia both my and Lauren's God mother have since joined you, to water-ski in the Gulf with dolphins following behind me. Well I hope those fins were dolphins and not sharks.  Thinking of all these memories and the relationship we had puts a smile on my face. I am so glad God chose you to be my Dad, The Best Man I have ever known, who gave All for Family, Country and God.  And for you loving Lauren your first born Granddaughter and caring for her, teaching her to swim everyday in the pool, reading books to her and animating them lol, carrying her everywhere saying she was your baby.  All the 46 years I had with you I cherish.  I wish you a Happy Birthday up in Heaven, where there are no more tears, pain or sorrow.  Thanks for still watching over me sending me pennies from Heaven and double rainbows. Oh, and for you the Best of the Best, a Green Beret teaching me how to handle a weapon and shoot accurately down on the riverbottoms of the Trinity at I 20.  I love you Dad and will miss you until we meet again.  Y'all Have a great time up there for your birthday!