I’m Jacque’s sister - David was my stepfather for about 12 years. While most of my time with him was not great, I do have fond memories of the time with him mostly due to spending time with his kids Jeff, Jim, and Sherry (I think of Jim from time to time and cannot believe he is gone. He was such a great person.) This entry is mostly for Jeff, Sherry and Jacque to read:
Twins:
My younger years included meeting David’s twin brother, Don, for the first time. I came into the living room and saw ‘two Davids’ standing side by side - both with their arms out to me to see who I would go to (I’m sure that they must have done that trick many times in their lives!) I remember being so surprised that even though they looked so similar, Don’s voice was so much deeper and a dead giveaway as to who was who. David and Don sang Everly Brothers songs, I think it was Don playing the guitar - “Wake Up Little Suzie” and “Bird Dog”. They both had great singing voices, and they would harmonize so well. I remember thinking that they must be somehow related to the Everly Brothers (both brother duos?).
His kids/my new siblings!:
Most all of my fond memories of time with him are from time spent with my step-siblings (as well as Don's kids Scott, Kelly and Christine). When I was a teenager, David’s kids, Jeff, Jim, and Sherry, came to visit and Jeff actually lived with us for a while during high school. We were all very close in age. I personally loved having these new kids around, as I am 7 years older than Jacque, and she and I were on our own much of the time. We all liked each other (Sherry and I sometimes ganged up and teased Jim). Jacque loved having her older brothers and sisters together. We always included her, as she was so cool and would go along with anything we wanted to do, like making forts, playing games, and putting on shows. I still remember putting on dance shows for the parents. I think it was just the girls, including Jacque’s younger cousin Christine (Weenie) - Donna Summer’s “Last Dance”. Those are some of my best memories of growing up.
Dancing:
He would do “the Monkey” - so funny. He was a great dancer, and I got a kick out of all the 50s dances he knew.
Humor:
David had a great sense of humor and could be very funny. I remember his very tired joke of lightly slapping you on the back to get your attention and saying, “Guess who’s back?” and the person would answer, “Who?" - “Yours!”, he’d say. He had a trick where he would lay a cigarette on the back of his hand, then slap it to flip the cigarette up into his mouth. I remember seeing him try several times until it would work, then clapping! Also, watched Sanford and Son on TV and Richard Prior and Gene Wilder movies. I know David influenced my sense of humor.
Smart/Talent:
David was really great at math and had a strong aptitude for drawing. He had a drafting table could have become an architect had he pursued that.
Camero Z-28:
For a time, he had this black Z-28. He actually let me drive it (Jeff did too). I remember being 15 (I had an Idaho driver's license) and driving around the neighborhood with my new friend Vicky Stermer, all around the housing development. I also remember Jeff taking out the car and doing do-nuts in the parking lot! Looking back, I’m surprised David let us drive it, but it was pretty cool.
Cooking and Dinners Out:
He would make homemade noodles, bread pudding, etc. I remember thinking chipped beef on toast was so special or fancy because he made such a big deal about it when it was really a food from his days in the Marine Corps. I loved all of that food. While I’m sure we probably could not have afforded it, we would occasionally go out to eat dinner and be able to order whatever we wanted. Jacque, at around 6 years old, told the waiter, “I’ll have the lobster”, and we all just cracked up laughing. I think someone did order it to share with her.
Support:
He and my dad hated each other. There was a lot of turmoil in my youth between the two of them. When I was 17 (and no longer living with David), my dad died and it was just the worst time. I was surprised to receive a condolence card in the mail from David, which I appreciated and still have. He signed it “Love, Dad II”. When I was in my early 20s and struggling a bit, he let me live at his house for a short time to get myself centered. I appreciated that. He also gave me a job at his furniture store.
Apologizing (sort of):
My last few memories of him include being at a large McCarrol family event 20 years ago and having my 9-month-old baby Danny with me, whom David met and held for a while. He told me that he could tell I was a good mother and that he knew he had not been the best parent.
Closing:
He was very fortunate to pass peacefully while sitting on the couch watching an old western on TV. That’s a great way to go! My thoughts are with you Jeff, Sherry, and Jacque during this strange time; all of you are such great people. I hope these memories have brought some laughter and comfort to you. I love and miss you all.