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 1960s 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!"
My condolences and prayers for your Dad and your family. My Dad is a WWII Navy vet too.
I did that for a dear friend for whom I was caregiver. It made all the difference in the world to hear from those he cared most about at the end. He could let go assured his life had meaning.
God bless you and your family, lightman, and prayers to the Holy Father for your dad who did his best to serve his country and his family.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
May your dad RIP.
Please post your replies to lightman
Rest in Peace
Father of Lightman
lightman, My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of your father, a Hero in the eyes of many.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
PRAISE GOD
for his GRADUATION and HOME COMING
but may God give you HIS COMFORT for your possibly overwhelming loss.
Pryaers for all concerned.
God bless your family. Your pops is looking down still loving you guys to no end.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Sounds like that was a great person.
You and yours will be in my prayers.
May your wisdom be increased through this time of reflection. Best to you and your family during this season of grief.
May God comfort his family and friends.
Prayers offered!
He is with the Lord now. God bless him!
I'm so sorry for your loss lightman. Prayers for you and your family. Your father sounds like he was a true hero in every sense of the word -- one that lived to give to others as evidenced by his service during WWII and 33 years teaching. I'm sure he touched many, many lives... I know my family will always be grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of men like him during WWII, so for that I say thank you to your father as well. May he rest in peace, reunited with your mother in heaven...
thank you for posting this. it means alot.
May the peace of the Lord be with you and give you strength in your time of grief.
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