my father's eulogy
I just came across this in my computer. It is the eulogy my aunt wrote for my father's funeral last year. It made me cry and I figured I would put it on here because it was full of so much love and relief on top of so much pain. My old man suffered a lot, and despite all of the shit he put me through he did love me and I loved him too. I'm glad he is free of the pain this world can put a man through and that I was the last person to hold him before he died. It's a roundabout way of saying it, but make peace with all those around you and, more importantly, make peace with yourself. It hurts me so much that I couldn't do that with my old man still around and I don't want you all feeling as hurt as I do for not making amends and finding contentment. So, without further ado...
That’s My Timbo
As I’ve looked through many pictures and talked with many of you, I know that my little brother Timbo was loved by everyone who knew him.
I remember when he was born - another boy! another brother! (And he wasn’t the last!) But Mom had her brown-eyed boy and Pop had another fishing buddy.
We laughed and we played all the time. I took him and Monte for haircuts and ice cream. I took Timbo to his first day of kindergarten at Lincoln School. He was so smart, so quick, and loved to learn. We walked or road the Ortman Stewart bus to town on Saturdays. When he got his $5.00 for his birthday, we’d go spend it (just like Mike had to take me when I was little). We all went to the opening of the Davy Crockett movie at the Strand and of course Timbo had to wear his coonskin hat. He said, “I’m Davy Crockett, and I’m only three, won’t you let me in free?” And they did! He loved his friends like Hot Rod and Keith. He loved playing baseball and sunset pool and showing off as much as possible.
The years passed too quickly and I came home from college for his high school graduation. He worked at Armco but had to be a Marine, just like his three older brothers. He fell in love, married Barb, and had his own two boys. And oh, how he loved those boys. He worked hard and gave his all.
Timbo always wanted family and friends around. He loved every niece and nephew. He loved visiting Pop on the farm and riding horses. He loved Christmas Day at my house. His boys grew up and Timbo just wanted them to be happy. He always bragged about Jason being such a hard worker and good father. He bragged to everyone about Jake being so smart and looked so forward to his finishing college. The grandkids, Brennon, Kyle, and Camden brought nothing but delight to Papaw Tim. He loved my granddaughter Kenna and and Mike’s granddaughter Sommer so much, and they could talk him out of anything. His closet is full of toys that he and Mike would buy after Christmas or find on sale so that anytime a child came over, he always had something special for them - Christmas or not.
I loved my Timbo and having him live with us. We took trips together when he was up to it. We attended doggie training school together with Heizer, who certainly became his best friend these last three years. I’ll miss the good times of playing pitch at night and singing oldies in the car. We visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year and sang all the way back.
I’ll miss the smiles and excitement of telling me the kids are coming over! I’ll even miss his compulsive buying sprees for bargains at the Goodwill or Dollar Store.
He was a caring man and worried about everyone else. Sometimes I would find him sitting in his room or the garage with his eyes closed and I’d say something, and he’d say, I’m praying Sissy for my boys and everyone. He always thanked Les and me for helping him these last few years when he suffered so. And I’d tell him that you’re my little brother and I love you, and you’d do the same for me. I know he loved God and that he is in his arms now - free of pain. We will all miss you Timbo, my little brother and friend to all.
Sissy
That’s My Timbo
As I’ve looked through many pictures and talked with many of you, I know that my little brother Timbo was loved by everyone who knew him.
I remember when he was born - another boy! another brother! (And he wasn’t the last!) But Mom had her brown-eyed boy and Pop had another fishing buddy.
We laughed and we played all the time. I took him and Monte for haircuts and ice cream. I took Timbo to his first day of kindergarten at Lincoln School. He was so smart, so quick, and loved to learn. We walked or road the Ortman Stewart bus to town on Saturdays. When he got his $5.00 for his birthday, we’d go spend it (just like Mike had to take me when I was little). We all went to the opening of the Davy Crockett movie at the Strand and of course Timbo had to wear his coonskin hat. He said, “I’m Davy Crockett, and I’m only three, won’t you let me in free?” And they did! He loved his friends like Hot Rod and Keith. He loved playing baseball and sunset pool and showing off as much as possible.
The years passed too quickly and I came home from college for his high school graduation. He worked at Armco but had to be a Marine, just like his three older brothers. He fell in love, married Barb, and had his own two boys. And oh, how he loved those boys. He worked hard and gave his all.
Timbo always wanted family and friends around. He loved every niece and nephew. He loved visiting Pop on the farm and riding horses. He loved Christmas Day at my house. His boys grew up and Timbo just wanted them to be happy. He always bragged about Jason being such a hard worker and good father. He bragged to everyone about Jake being so smart and looked so forward to his finishing college. The grandkids, Brennon, Kyle, and Camden brought nothing but delight to Papaw Tim. He loved my granddaughter Kenna and and Mike’s granddaughter Sommer so much, and they could talk him out of anything. His closet is full of toys that he and Mike would buy after Christmas or find on sale so that anytime a child came over, he always had something special for them - Christmas or not.
I loved my Timbo and having him live with us. We took trips together when he was up to it. We attended doggie training school together with Heizer, who certainly became his best friend these last three years. I’ll miss the good times of playing pitch at night and singing oldies in the car. We visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year and sang all the way back.
I’ll miss the smiles and excitement of telling me the kids are coming over! I’ll even miss his compulsive buying sprees for bargains at the Goodwill or Dollar Store.
He was a caring man and worried about everyone else. Sometimes I would find him sitting in his room or the garage with his eyes closed and I’d say something, and he’d say, I’m praying Sissy for my boys and everyone. He always thanked Les and me for helping him these last few years when he suffered so. And I’d tell him that you’re my little brother and I love you, and you’d do the same for me. I know he loved God and that he is in his arms now - free of pain. We will all miss you Timbo, my little brother and friend to all.
Sissy