My Dad: August 30, 1943 to November 30, 2008

This past Sunday evening November 30, 2008 at about 8:30pm my dad passed away after fighting a losing battle with Lung Cancer. He fought and fought. He really did not want to give up, but the cancer had taken its toll on his body. Heavenly Father took him and I'm sure has greater plans with him. It was a struggle for all of us especially during his final days and weeks because it was practically impossible to communicate with him. I know he is now in a peaceful place where he can get a good breath of air.

On Sunday morning I decided to go up and see my parents. I am glad I was able to be there and help support my family in this time of struggle. It is very different from the previous death I experienced because we knew it was coming and we had time to plan and prepare for it.

He was born on August 30, 1943.

Here is his sister holding him when he was about two and a half months old. He was a bit late coming, his other siblings were born in the 20's.

Here he is with his dad in 1949.


What a happy kid he was.

Right after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Robison.


He was proud to have served in the Navy.

All growing up I remember how much he loved fishing:


and camping: here is his nephew Fred and his friend Ross.


In 1976 he met and married my mom Lois.


He was such a generous man and always willingly gave of his time when he had any. He worked really hard to support us.

I have always looked up to my father in many ways. He was always looking forward to that next big adventure. I remember when he would ride his bicycle from Seattle to Salt Lake City. I am glad I got to share that experience with him twice. He also had ambitions to ride his bicycle around the world. He wanted and planned to hike the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail. He managed to hike a few hundred miles of it. His most recent big adventure was the Big Ride Across America where he and several others rode their bicycles from Seattle to Washington D.C. in support of the American Lung Association of Washington. They raised $250,000.

I got married on his 60th birthday five years ago. I was happy to share the date of celebration, I hope he was too.


He will be missed by us all. I just know that he is already up in Heaven looking forward to his next big adventure.

Dad, we love you and will miss you.