What to say...  

I can't ever remember not having him in my life.  My mom married him when I was like 3 years old.  He was quite a charecter, that he was.  I will miss him even tho I haven't seen much since my Stroke.  I am very sad not to ever get to see him again, untill I'm gone.  I know  he is at peace and we just have to try to go on as best as possible.  It will be hard, I miss him now just thinks about all the crazy  weekends at My Mom & Orv's house.  Many other memories just keep roiling thro my head. 

Talk care of yourselfs as he would want us to and always try to remember how much fun he did have, a fun time rolly man, just know he's at peace.

Always, Love Karen Lee (Morrison) Aaron with LOVE to all

Our story about Orv begins in about 1999.   The story actually begins with me meeting Pat on an internet website called EFFORTS.  This is a support/info website for those who have COPD.  As most of you know, Pat was on a lung transplant list at that time.  Bob had just been diagnosed with end stage COPD. His life was over as far as he was concerned.  But, enter Orv and Pat Laney.  After Pat and I had talked many times on the internet, we decided we should all meet.  So, one day with very little warning, they called.....they were at UW Med Ctr. and were going to come over to the Eastside! More specifically, they were coming to our home!  I then told Bob he needed to be ready to meet this couple, who were from "my internet support group".  He was not ready for this.  He did not want to meet "just anyone" who would not understand what was going on with him!  Well, when Orv and Pat pulled up in front of our house, and I saw the condition that Pat was in, and I saw the way Orv was taking care of her...........I knew I had made a good decision!  After Pat finally got up the steps and into our house.......and then took 5 minutes to get a breath again before she could speak.....we had already seen that alway present smile of Orv's!  Bob and Pat instantly bonded......while Orv and I were in the kitchen discussing "caregiver" issues.  From that minute on, Orv was my friend and support.  We had so many things in common, because of our situations w/our spouses, that we felt like we had known each other forever!  We loved both of them.    Orv and Pat saved Bob's life by convincing him to try and get on the transplant list, which he did, and he did get a transplant.

We continued to build our friendship, and had many lunches at UW Med Ctr, their home , our home, with Orv and Pat ...... until Pat became very ill, and eventually passed away.  We cried with Orv, and loved them both even more.   We tried to help Orv through his sad times......had oysters and beer at his home, joked with him about meeting someone through the internet, and......then..he did meet someone.  Along came Felicity or Fizz, as those of us who love her......know her as.  Yes, she was in England.......but....oh well.........don't they have lots of pubs in England????  As you all know, Fizz and Orv did get married, and we all fell in love with Fizz.  The four of us enjoyed many lunches, dinners, beers and always with Orv's laugh and signature smile!

I will miss his phone calls...."Hey Joyce, I just cracked a beer and thought I would call so that we could catch up!"  I know he was smiling on the other end of the phone!  My computer will not have his emails any longer!  Some were funny....some were serious.......some were.........well, you know....it was Orv!

I posted a picture of his view from that big back deck.....he loved the view.....we called the tree...."Orv's damn tree"!  He would turn on his cowboy music or Elvis, and we'd sit on the deck....of course.....having a beer! 

We feel fortunate.....blessed.....call it what you want.....to have had Orv Laney... in our life as our friend.  We will miss him.    

Love to all of his family.

Joyce and Bob Barnts