Posted on 07/08/2006 8:53:03 PM PDT by lightman
FRiends:
At 5:07 PM this afternoon, in the presence of me, my wife, his Pastor, and our wonderful volunteer nurse/caregiver my eighty-one year old father entered Life Everlasting.
His final hours were not at all easy, but upon hearing me read a card which had arrived today from a elderly couple who had been his closest friends he was finally able to close his eyes and rest in peace.
He will be cremated. His Memorial Service with Holy Eucharist will take place next Saturday at the wonderful congregation which I have served as Pastor for nearly seventeen years and which has supported us magnificently through this struggle (we have not had to cook for two weeks, we have had a steady supply of "Dad sitters" most of the month of June).
The service will conclude with internment in the Church Cemetery; my mother's cremated remains will at long last be committed as well into the same plot. Dad never could bring himself to have the committal so now, six years and three and a half months later, all shall be completed. As a US Navy Veteran of World War II, he will receive the Full Military Honors befitting his service.
His service was as a junior officer of the U.S.S. Arided and U.S.S. Uranus, two of the Liberty ships of the type immortalized by first the novel, then the movie “Mr. Roberts” as sailing “between tedium and apathy”; or, more precisely in the case of the Arided, Guadelcanal and New Caledonia.
His public service continued after the war with over three decades of teaching in less than ideal conditions. Dad will be remembered by nearly two generations as a patient and capable teacher of mathematics at an inner city High School for 33 years. His time in public education included those tense years in the late 1960’s when racially motivated riots spilled over into the hallways and stairwells of the schools.
I have had other teachers, as well.
This congregation has taught me well how to commend a loved one to Almighty God. Last September a bereaved family asked that in lieu of flowers, those attending the Memorial should bring a donation of non perishable food which will in turn be given to a local food pantry. We shall do the same.
In May of this year another bereaved family asked that the cremated remains, at Committal in the cemetery, actually be placed into the ground, and then, beginning with the immediate family, any attending who wished to participate took turns filling in the burial spot with spades of earth. Again, we shall do the same.
Your prayers and other expressions of caring have been so greatly appreciated. Thanks especially to Freepers Salvation, Rebel Banker, and trussell.
Now, all that remains is to join our voices with William How, who over a century ago penned these lyrics:
"The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!"
Deepest thanks.
Ping and thoughts of those who he touched.
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter now into joy."
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
God Bless your father, and you and your family as well!
God bless your father as well.
My sympathies. I understand how you feel. Dad made it to 80 (barely) and your papa bested him by one year! Best wishes as you sorrow.
Your father left this world knowing he was loved. That was a blessing. Best wishes to you and your family and to all the others who loved your dad. May you be comforted by your memories of the wonderful man you have described so eloquently.
Prayers up.
Heaven was missing him too much, and called him home.
Peace to you, and thanks be to God.
Another of the Greatest Generation passes into eternity.
If not for men like these, our lives as Americans would be unimaginably different.
His 81 years spanned a time of change the likes of which the world has never before seen.
The torch is being passed.
Thankfulness for your Dad and his service, and prayer for you for the days ahead.
My respect to you and your family on your father's passing.
God give you and your loved ones comfort and peace.
That is one of my favorite hymns >>>
http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lbw/lbw174.mid
L
God bless you and your family, especially your parents as they rejoin in Heaven.
Amen(((Hugs))) lightman,God bless,Fatima
I learned something about Liberty Ships from your post - dunno why, but I'd always thought of them as Atlantic. I'm gonna read up on their Pacific life now, not the least of which to honor your Dad & his service to our Country.
He sounds like he was a fine man, and lived a full and meanibgful life. My prayers go out to your family, that the pain of his passing will not lay too heavy on your hearts and will lessen soon, to be replaced by the pleasant memories of a wonderful Dad and Grandfather.
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