Today, is the 5th year anniversary in which my Daddy / Best Friend, went to be with his Beloved God in Heaven. I, as well as my mother/wife, and 3 siblings and his brother and his daughter were all with my amazing Daddy in his my mother's 1st and only home of 50-some odd years

We all called him "PopThom," as that is what his 3 beloved grandchildren called him. He lived for these 3 precious children and they loved him beyond measure.

Its been 5 years and not ONE day goes by that he is not in my thoughts very often through the day. As I was with him when he passed away, my life changed forever. A hole opened within my heart, and it will never heal until I see him again.

God blessed me and my 3 awesome siblings with the 2 most kind, caring, unconditional loving, fun, parents who taught us to be one of the greatest FAMILY ORIENTED GROUP of kids, along with them teaching us good morals and values, to care and help others in need, to be independent and work hard, to Always put God first, and to believe in ourselves. To know if you can dream it, and believe in yourself..............then you can do it!

I just wanted to say, "Dear Daddy, not a day goes by that you are not in my thoughts and my love for you has NOT diminished one bit. I cannot thank you enough for being the BEST DAD in the world and instilling such strong characteristics in the 4 of us and teaching us how to make the best out of every issue/Opportunity in life. To live with a positive attitude, laugh LOTS, and love deeply. There is nothing more valuable in this world that having a close and loving FAMILY, and all 4 of us live in how you and mom taught us concerning family.  I do NOT think anything could pry us apart.

Know that you will never be forgotten and you will be LOVED until I and the rest of the "Thom and Barbara Bates Clan," take our last breath.
Missing you, as always...........But living to be the kind of person that you and mom made / taught us be in this crazy world; kind and caring individuals with good morals and strong characteristics.

I LOVE YOU.........................."Your PeeWee," Katrina!

Dear Daddy / PopThom,

     I knew it was your turn, your BRIGHT new Life with God on December 9, 2012. For you had suffered for such a long time and BEEN........

   The "Fighter,"......the "Funny Character,"...the "Best Friend I have ever had,"....."My ONLY HERO,"....."My Life Lesson Coach & Mentor."...

................................"My Security Blanket'"........................................
......."Our Unconditional Loving & Compassionate Daddy of 4,".........

........................"A Beloved Husband of 52 years,"............................
....."the most UNSELFISH and caring person that I have ever         known; next to Mom."..........."My GO TO Person for Everything,".......
"My Inspiration,".......and "Christian Gentleman, who went out of your way to help and encourage so many others!"

It was such a bittersweet time, knowing that you were going to be with God and you would be made whole again and healthy! NO more pain and suffering, but a NEW beginning in Heaven with your Beloved Heavenly Father. A place of unimaginable beauty, love, and joy;
              in which you had definitely Earned!!!!!

       But at the same time, I was selfish and I did not want you to go, As my heart broke in half, knowing that I could not just hug you or talk to you in person anymore. You were the "BRIGHTEST LIGHT" that had ever shined in my life, as I was your little "PeeWee," and your constant shadow from the time I could walk. You, like me, were a Big Dreamer.


      *****Words cannot express the deep loss and *************
         the feeling of my Heart being torn into pieces,
           As a part of my Heart died with you.

I can only give Thanks to God for getting me through these last 3 years, as my grief of losing my "Best Buddy"/ Daddy was overwhelming and I struggled just to keep going *** But our "Beloved God" stayed by my side and helped me adjust to a life without being able to physically be around you, without your loving hugs and hours upon hours of joking around, talking together about God, and your life lessons of advise in which are ingrained in my character and I continue to follow.

You taught me how to follow my dreams by turning them into goals that were obtainable and therefore I was able to make my Dreams come true. ** I have not strayed from any of your lessons and I continue to live my life as you and mom raised us......To keep a positive attitude, to always put God first in my life, work hard and also go above and beyond what your "job" expectations are, to NEVER give up on anything.....No matter how rough the road may get, to Laugh a Lot, to put family above anything else in life as "OUR FAMILY" is the Greatest Asset that I could ever have in life.............For NO amount of money or material items could ever compare to the value of our Family, love others and have compassion to step up and help others in need, and my favorite is to NEVER Grow UP....But keep my enthusiasm like that of a child, and to stop and look around at the beauty of God's nature and creations that He so lovingly gives us each day in the birds soaring in the wind, the beauty and unique sunrise and sunset that comes with each day. 

For God could not have blessed me more with such an amazing Daddy and Mother, plus 3 fun and loving siblings. We are a very close and loving, caring, compassionate and fun loving family.
My favorite thing to do in the world is just to have all of us "at HOME" hanging out together laughing, talking, Brad and Matthew playing their guitars, and sharing funny stories and talking about what awesome memories we had with you and as a family as a whole.
 As your wife and 4 kids LOVE you more than words could ever express.

     " So basically, the way I see it now, "
              in my Heart I know that............This is not Goodbye,   I know we'll meet again, so let YOUR life begin............
 It's just....."I LOVE YOU".....to Take with You.....UNTIL we meet Again!

Happy October PopThom and know that you are dearly loved and missed,

Love Forever,
Katrina Bates Phillips