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Bye Daddy
Floyd Geron Looney (GeronL)

Posted on 05/18/2004 4:31:02 PM PDT by GeronL

On the evening of May 5th I heard my father call me from the living room. I was there within a few seconds to see him collapse to the floor gasping. He was not choking, but it sure seemed close.

I called 9-1-1 immediately and then called family and friends. They live close by.

The paramedics took their time after they parked and were rude and brusque. Three of his children,me included, were outside the apartment crying. They said it did not look good, he was not responding.

We were all at the hospital when they told us he had passed on. When we were ready, they said, we could see his body. They took it to the morgue before we could.

The days have been a blur since then. I have not been back to FR at all until now. I have come by the apartment a few times to feed the cat and water the plants.

I am still in a state of disbelief since the shock wore off.


My father, Billy Floyd Looney, was born in 1932 in a town called Seven Shooters, Oklahoma. That town has long been incorporated into Oklahoma City.

He had a few marriages, had two daughters with a wife named Doris. They are both nearing fifty now and only one of them attended the funeral.

He married my mother Nora Ann and they stayed together until her death (murder) almost exactly 20 years ago. They had five children, although the oldest had been born before they met. Me, my brother and three sisters might be poor, but we had the best parents.

He worked in the City of Irving Sanitation Department for a very long time driving (operating) heavy equipment. He retired about a decade ago after major surgery resulted from complications of appendicitis.

He was a good man, the best I'll ever know. He was loved dearly by all those who knew him. I stayed by his side when he was in the hospital a decade ago. I have lived with him since. He has seemed strong for most of that time and did not need help. I was the one being helped.

Immediately after the funeral ended, it began to rain. People were soon running for their cars and I was soon alone with the casket and the man who would lower it. I could think of nothing to say except "Bye Daddy".


TOPICS: Extended News; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: death; father; prayerlist
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To: GeronL
I do not know or understand how I can continue on without him

Almost thirty years ago....the same thing happened to me. You can and will continue on.

You will become the man your father meant you to be.

To have posted something as personal as this means....you are already well on your way there.

Condolences my friend.

The hurt you are feeling never really goes away....it matures into a sort of wistful wisdom. One day you will silently smile as you realize......."I know what my Dad knew.....he knew this....I know it now.....I am my father's son!"

101 posted on 05/18/2004 6:19:31 PM PDT by Focault's Pendulum (Simple physics: Heat sand hot enough...it becomes Glass!)
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To: GeronL

I am sorry about your father and pray that God will give you comfort.


102 posted on 05/18/2004 6:21:25 PM PDT by arjay ("I don't do bumper stickers." Donald Rumsfeld)
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To: GeronL

Prayer bump.


103 posted on 05/18/2004 6:22:10 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: GeronL

Deepest sympathies......and condolences...........from the RightOnline household. I understand exactly what you are feeling, for I lost my father in 1984 (in a very similar fashion, only I wasn't there).......and to this day, at age 48, his is the only funeral I've ever attended. I will tell you that you'll never, ever forget him......but time does heal all wounds. God bless you.


104 posted on 05/18/2004 6:24:59 PM PDT by RightOnline
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To: GeronL

I really can feel for you.

Lost my Dad 5 years ago, and my Mom not long before that.

I wasn't able to be there when either of them passed, which still makes me feel terrible to this day. It's like I didn't get to say goodbye.

Your words touched my heart today.

Thank you for sharing your grief.

You and your family are in my prayers.




Bye Daddy

Bye Daddy
I cried
I still can't believe
He died

I want him back
Not in a grave
Without him here
It's hard to be brave

He was my strength
When strength was required
The man I loved
And most admired

But what he taught me
Will carry me through
I'll try to do
What he would do

I'll never forget him
He did his part
Until I die
He's in my heart

EV






105 posted on 05/18/2004 6:25:32 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: GeronL

GeronL,You did all you thought you didn't,you called him Daddy.Prayers,fatima


106 posted on 05/18/2004 6:25:47 PM PDT by fatima (My Granddaughter Karen is Home-WOOHOO We unite with all our troops and send our love-)
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To: GeronL

Deepest sympathies to you and your family GeronL.


107 posted on 05/18/2004 6:30:40 PM PDT by Bob J (freerepublic.net/ radiofreerepublic.com/rightalk.com...check them out!)
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To: GeronL
My dad left the six of us in '62, started a new family, and never sent a check. I last saw him as a four-year-old...he was carrying my half brother, his new son, in his arms. In '76 I was hitchhiking the USA and found out he was in the hospital in Virginia, and it didn't look good for him. I stuck out my thumb in California and got to within a couple miles of the hospital in Falls Church...and kept going. I couldn't do it. Too much to say and ask. No telling how he would receive me. Afraid of being hurt.

He died later that week. Almost every day for near thirty years I wonder if I did the right thing.

I'm crying for you...sadness overwhelms; but I cry , too, for myself, for never did I have the kindness, love and memories that you can claim yours. Therefor, be joyful, too: I can't ever say "goodbye", 'cause I never got even a "hello". You're a lucky man.

108 posted on 05/18/2004 6:33:47 PM PDT by dasboot
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To: GeronL
I know I was the son who was always there when you needed me. I was the son I could be

Actions speak louder than words. Be sure your Dad knew you loved him. That's important to a parent. I know, I am a mother of four.

When my Mom died the loss was most painful and I would wish I had done this or that, but like you I was there when she needed me, always.

It took me about a year to start remembering the fun we had together, the laughs we shared, all the best of our life together. I still miss her every day but I only remember what a lovely Mom she was. Not the pain she suffered, not the last few days she lived in the hospital in a coma.

We were blessed,she lived to be 93years old, the last seventeen of those years alone and the last three weeks of her life with me. At the very end she had to be hospitalized but she never really knew that.She would have hated being dependent on anyone or as she would have thought, a burden.

I offer my condolences and prayers for you and all who loved your Dad.

109 posted on 05/18/2004 6:34:45 PM PDT by BARLF
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To: GeronL
He was there for you when you were young.
You were there for him when he was old.
The ball's in his court, he'll be there for you now.
Prepare, the volley.
Life's grandure may appear suddenly.
It's beauty is worthy the tears shed today, tomorrow, forever.
110 posted on 05/18/2004 6:35:50 PM PDT by budwiesest
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To: GeronL

You'll never forget him. He made you the man you are today. May God hold you and your family in His hands, and comfort you with the knowledge that your father is home at last, finally reunited with your mother.


111 posted on 05/18/2004 6:36:39 PM PDT by Xenalyte (I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I shall defend to the death your right to stick it)
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To: GeronL
I lost my dad suddenly in '92. I thank God that he didn't suffer and passed quickly as yours did. That's a blessing in itself. It's exactly the way my Pop wanted to go.

You will continue. It's tough sometimes...

You have to outlive your parents--that's why they had you! Of course I would prefer that he went later, but what do preferences count for?

The Irish have a saying: "A man without his Pa is like a man in the rain without an umbrella."

You'll be fine. You can never really lose him.

112 posted on 05/18/2004 6:37:02 PM PDT by Cogadh na Sith (The Guns of Brixton)
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To: GeronL

I'm so very sorry to hear of your terrible loss. Prayers to you and your family in this difficult time.

I'm sure your father loved you very much just the way you are.

Regards,


113 posted on 05/18/2004 6:41:56 PM PDT by VermiciousKnid
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To: GeronL

So sorry to hear this. God Bless you and your family GeronL.


114 posted on 05/18/2004 6:47:56 PM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: GeronL

Prayers for you and your family, Geron.


115 posted on 05/18/2004 6:53:00 PM PDT by kitkat (PLEASE STEAL THIS TAG: "The democrats would rather win the WH than the war." - Tom DeLay))
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To: GeronL

I'm so sorry to hear about your father passing away. It seems , from your writting, that he died suddenly. My dad went out of this world in a similar manner- unexpected. It took a long time to get over the shock and hurt. It does get easier as time passes, but, I still miss him to this day. The Peace and comfort of the Lord be with you and your family, as you cope with the loss of your beloved daddy. You wrote a wonderful tribute to him


116 posted on 05/18/2004 7:03:15 PM PDT by fly_so_free (Never under estimate the treachery of the democrat party-Save USA vote a dem out of office)
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To: GeronL
It's hard to find words.

"Daddy."

That's how God wants us to think of Him. It's so hard to do that, because it's so hard even to talk to our own daddys that way. I am very much in your company when it comes to a failure to communicate love where it is due. We all are.

With God, however, "Bye" is never the last word. We know this because He took our frail flesh upon Himself out of love for us. He still lives for us, even as He is risen from the dead and lives and rules to all eternity.

Peace be to you. Not as the world gives, but as God gives in Christ Jesus.

117 posted on 05/18/2004 7:04:54 PM PDT by Fester Chugabrew
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To: GeronL
The fact that your daddy called out to you, and you were there in the last few moments of his life probably meant more to him than you will ever know. You were there, always, just as he is with you, always, watching over you.

My deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family, GeronL.

118 posted on 05/18/2004 7:06:01 PM PDT by kstewskis ("Political correctness is intellectual terrorism..." M.G.)
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To: GeronL

God Bless you brother, and your old dad too...


119 posted on 05/18/2004 7:07:00 PM PDT by Geronimo
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To: GeronL

So very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Dad. May our Lord grant you and your family the comfort of leaning on His arms. In the name of Jesus, amen.


120 posted on 05/18/2004 7:07:32 PM PDT by GailA (Kerry I'm for the death penalty for terrorist, but I'll declare a moratorium on the death penalty)
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