Sincere and grateful thanks for your prayers for my father, Albert Lee Head Jr.

Self | January 27, 2004 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

I would like to take this quick opportunity to thank everyone who prayed for my father and our family over the last few days. I hope next week to be able to go through the two threads regarding the condition and then passing of my father and reply to the posts individually. Time right now does not permit.

Let me share a couple of experiences that occurred that will hopefully build faith and hope for us all and are what I believe to be direct answer to the prayers of so many.

1st, my father suffered a massive heart attack just before we left as a family to drive down. We intended, using myself, my wife and my oldest son, to drive directly through and try and arrive in time to see my Dad. Sadly, it was not to be.

We left in the middle of a snow storm at 5:30 PM on Saturday, January 24th. I could not get a flight to Dallas until 7:00 AM the next morning out of Salt Lake City and we did not feel that the timing would make that much diffference and wanted the entire family to be there.

My brothers called as we were leaving and asked what lengths I would have them go to to preserve my Dad's life until I could arrive. All of my brothers and my mother were there and I was the only one not at his side. After a short porayer and reflection, the answer was clear...I told them that if the doctors felt there was no hope, and that if he was in pain, that his pain and suffering should not be prolonged in order to facilitate my arrival...that we would put it in God's hands from there... and so we drove out of Boise.

For over 500 mmiles, from Boise, Idaho to Rock Springs, Wyoming we drove through some of the worst winter driving conditions, for a prolonged period, that I remember. On two occassions, for periods of 2-3 hours we were in white out conditions where our speed was lowered to 15 MPH as we crept along watching for the reflectors along the side of the road so we could stay on the road surface. I would normally have stopped at the nearest hotel in such conditions.

Our own fervent prayers and prayers on our behalf were answered and we came through it all safely.

> It took us 13 hours to drive what we would normally make in 7.

During this time we would get cell phone calls every so often from my brothers as we came into cell phone coverage. My Dad was conscious and asking regularly about our progress. His kidneys had failed, his lungs were filling with fluid and he was struggling to hang on. On one occassion, around 11 PM he almost passed away but my brothers and mother and my sister in laws sang hymmms to him and he literally rallied.

He heard that his sister would be flying in the next day and he took his oxygen mask down and said.

"Boys, if my sister is coming...then you must be fairly certain I am going to die."

One of my brothers responded that, yes, the doctors had indicated he would probably not survive the night.

My Dad asked..."then let me see my spec sheet...the heart rate readout."

They gave it to him and as a result of the last 15 years experience with his own heart condition he saw that with his breathing so elevated and his heart rate averaging 150 to try and keep up, he knew that he could not last long.

He then began to dictate to them the exact terms and conditions that he wanted his funeral and burial to be caried out...down to the program. At the conlusion of that, he asked that they all gather together by his bed side and say a "closing prayer regarding the matter."

Just before that, my mother had received a blessing of comfort and peace from one of my brother and one of our church leaders who was there at their side. So many prayers on her behalf were answered and she was immediately comforted and filled with peace. The sorrow, of course, was still there...but she was calmed and required no sedation. She was able to get through what followed with a serenity and peace that is truly miraculous. Again, I thank all for the prayers on her behalf.

Fifteen minutes after that closing prayer...my father breathed his last.

Myself and my family happened to come into cell range coverage near Switzer Summit in Idaho...creeping along through the snow...at that moment and my brother's cell phone call got through informing us of the news. I woke my sons and told them and then we offrered a prayer of gratitude for this grand soul who had blessed our lifes and so many others...asking that his soul be rested. I then called Squantos and asked him to convey the message (Thanks Caylin!).

I will sorely miss my father. He was and is a man without guile who has been a pillar in my life. I do not mourn his loss because I know, as surely as I know I am writing this thread, that he is with his Savior and has been called on to a greater work...and that we will be reunited with him one day in the Lord's time. I look forward to that day...as I said, in the good Lord's own time.

What follows is an obituary that I worte for my Dad upon arrivial and that will appear in the Dallas Morning News and the Denton Record Chronicle and other area Texas and Alabama papers today, January 27, 2004:

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Obituary for Albert Lee Head Jr.

Albert Lee Head, Jr. of Bolivar, Texas, departed this life early Sunday morning, January 25, 2004. He died of heart failure. His funeral services will be at 10 AM on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 in Denton, Texas, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at1810 Malone Street. He will be laid to rest thereafter at the Bolivar Cemetery, 4 miles west of Sanger, Texas.

Mr. Head was born in Rochester, New York, on August 10, 1925 while his father played professional baseball there. He was raised in Alabama and graduated from Fayette High School in 1942. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy ROTC program at Auburn University and completed his ROTC training at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He then served in combat as an officer in the United States Navy in World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

After returning home from the war, Mr. Head continued his schooling and married Georgia Mae Spacil, of Houston, Texas on April 22, 1948. He went on to graduate from Rice University with a Bachelor and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Lee worked as an engineer for the Ling-Tempco-Vought Corporation of Grand Prairie, Texas where he did structural dynamic work on numerous Department of Defense projects. He retired from Vought after 47 years of exemplary service in progressively responsible positions.

Lee and Georgia moved to the country near Bolivar, Texas in 1967, realizing a life-long dream and goal of owning ranch property and raising their four sons in the country.

Albert Lee Head Jr. was recognized by his family, relatives, friends, neighbors and community as an honorable, virtuous, devoted and loyal husband, father, American and Christian man. He was truly a man of high principles and an individual without guile. For decades he provided unwavering, volunteer service to his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Georgia, served a full-time mission for the church in Alabama for eighteen months after his retirement.

Lee was also an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution, having traced his own direct-line ancestors back to their personal involvement in the revolution on the side of the patriots. He participated actively in monthly local chapter meetings, serving a year as the president of the Denton, Texas chapter.

In later years, Lee's favorite past times included visiting his grandchildren all over the United States and doing significant genealogical research on the computer and the internet.

He is survived by his wife Georgia of Bolivar, Texas, his son Albert Lee Head III and his wife Brenda of Denton, Texas, his son Greg Head of Bolivar, Texas, his son Jeff Head and his wife Gail of Emmett, Idaho, and his son Paul Head and his wife Adolis of Bolivar, Texas. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Brian Head, Jason Head, Chelsea Head, Jon Adam Head, Kate Trujillo, Rachel Head, Becki Doney, Jeff Head Jr., Jared Head, Brandy Head, James Head, Timothy Head and Brittany Head. In addition, he is survived by three great-grandchildren, Braedon Trujillo, Riley Trujillo and Kyra Doney.

He will be sorely missed in this life, but he is also rejoiced because of the sure knowledge that he has been gathered home to the bosom of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ where we shall all be reunited in due time.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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Praise GOD that...

LOVE is the Only Reality and that...

GOD is LOVE.


Have no fear, Jeff, for your Father is closer to you now than he ever was while on the Earth.

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[Billthedrill]

Jeff, my sincerest condolences.

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

John Donne

[Redleg Duke]

God Bless, Jeff.

[Alamo-Girl]

What a beautiful testimony! What a blessing your father is to your family and now, to us! And what a blessing you are to all of us, Jeff.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Your father taught you how to live, and how to die. What a generous, wonderful man.

May God continue to richly bless your family, Jeff.

((Hugs.))

[The Westerner]

That was so moving, filled with love and admiration. You captured his spirit when he said, well if my sister's coming, I better look at the facts. And so he did, understanding his end was near. And gathering his loved ones around in an ending prayer like a leader of men, passing the torch and telling them he's good to go and they must carry on. What a very fine man. It will take awhile to get used to him being gone; I went through this, too. Sometimes you weep and sometimes rejoice. But how lucky you were that grace gave you the best father on earth. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Your FRiend,
The Westerner

[Enough_Deceit]

"Condolences to you and your family. Any man would be proud to have a dad like yours." Mega-dittos! I am also certain that Jeff's dad was proud to have a son such as him.

[TaxRelief]

Five years ago we drove through storms like these to get to my family when my mom died. We weren't there in time to say one last "Good bye!", but we were there in time to provide and receive emotional support and to be together in our shared grief.

I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.

[patton]

I am sorry, Jeff.

[in the Arena]

I'm very sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I'll hold your family in my thoughts and prayers...

Jim

[Libertina]

My sympathies, Jeff, but also my prayers for God's comfort for you and your family. Thank you for sharing with us - your FR friends - even in the difficult times.

[kanawa]

God's grace be with you and your family.

[trussell]

Prayer update ping.

Please post your replies to Jeff Head.

Jeff Head, My prayers for you and your family.Lay your pain at the feet of God and he will see you through.

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on or off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[tiki]

I'll pray for you and your family. He sounds like a wonderful man and I know you will miss him.

[kayak]

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8: 38-39

Jeff, we are celebrating your father's life and faith with you and lifting up you and all your family as you grieve your loss. May God abide with you and your family, giving you peace, strength, and comfort in the coming days.

[Utah Girl]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. We do have the comfort of knowing that we will see our loved ones on the other side. Take care.

[JohnHuang2]

Very moving tribute, my friend. My heartfelt condolences to and yours, Jeff. More prayers on their way.

[JohnHuang2]

Prayer ping...

[GretchenEE]

Jeff, I am so sorry I didn't see the prayer pings in a timely way. God bless you and your family as you carry on.

JH2, thank you for the update ping.

[JohnHuang2]

You're welcome, friend.