Ray~
Knowing that you’ve left a mark on people’s hearts and lives is likely the most rewarding reflection on a life well lived and work well done. You certainly have left a mark with your unending commitment to your family. It seems that every day you leaned forward to ‘getting it done’, doing what was most important on the list, checking that off, then on to the next item.
We’ve talked about how much those folks you were working with most recently – your employers and the contractors, all respecting and appreciating your attention to detail. That you made their work and their check lists easier to manage because of your kind management style. There’s not much better than that when you’re out in the field.
And when you were in Dolores, helping on the firefighter and EMT teams – you embodied the characteristics of a true ‘team’ member. There’s no ‘I’ in that word and you made the team a stronger, more critical place when emergency needs arose. Plus, it was fun!
Your abilities to always fix something, or find something to fix and make right, definitely made sure the house, the businesses, the motel, all kept running. Your skill set is definitely deep and wide when it comes to tools and being the true ‘Mr. Fix It Man’!
Your deep work ethic has certainly carried you through all these years – I remember a million years ago when you were the assistant manager at Safeway, next to Mom’s first Krispy Kreme Donut shop. We all spied you and thought ‘wow, what a handsome guy!’ And so hard working, whipping around that store and knowing practically everything in it. And we kept sending Darlene over to see you – or at least to buy something! That’s where it all began, right?
Yours and Darlene’s was a beautiful wedding and I believe the raucous party that followed included a few people in the swimming pool! I have always admired the relationship that began between you and Tom, although he was a ‘brother in law’, you two seemed more like brothers. I loved it when you would plan your ‘golf’ outings, super well deserved after your weeks of hard work, and you appeared almost giddy with the time to be out in Mother Nature and ‘play’.
I know that ‘our’ mom always felt blessed to have you as her ‘son’. It always made me feel so good and deeply inclusive when you simply called her ‘mom’. You were a real gift to her in her life.
The greatest gift you gave us all, and for certain yourself, was to be the father to your three girls. Life really blossomed with these three and sometimes it seemed like a wild ride! Their young lives so full and abundant, you and Darlene barely keeping up with school, volleyball, softball, basketball, horses, river running, lake fun, their friends becoming like even more daughters. And what beautiful women they have become, dedicated now to their own children as you are to yours.
The little ones running around the house, all carrying part of you with them. What a great legacy to pay forward into the world – the joy of your own children and your grandchildren. Well done Ray!
I am sorry I am not there with you. You’ve trooped through these past three years like a soldier. We know none of us escape ‘this earthly plain’. When we face it, the burdens will lift and our spirits will soar. I see Helen always sitting on her star, wand in hand, watching over and directing us. I speak with her so often. Although she’ll be sad knowing that you’re leaving your family, she’ll be there waiting for you along with Donna, Nana, your mother Louise. All, arms wide open, waiting.
Thanks for being such an incredible brother in law. With much love, Theresa
