Through a lifetime of service to the Church, to neighbors, family, and the community, you and mama showed me the joys of helping others, and the rewards of being a blessing in another's life. I can't remember anything making you quite so happy as when you had helped someone or made them smile. You always had a special place in your heart for children and widows, and though that may sound strange or funny to some, I understand so well what you felt. You always felt such a divine burden to take care of people, to help those who had no one else to turn to, and to fill the gaps which grieved another's soul. You always believed that love could cure all ills, and you never gave up, loving both the lovable and unlovable. Though you grew weary at times, still you never stopped believing that enough love and kindness could change any wrong into a right. And children, you loved all children just because they were children. How you always loved to tease and joke with every child you came in contact with. Every friend Sherry and I ever brought home thought you must be the greatest dad... and I believe you are.

The values I have today about God, family, honesty, and commitment are those which you and mama taught us. So much of what I have learned was not by things you said, but by watching the way you live. Children do learn by example, by what adults do and what they don't do. I realize today that every parent is an example to their children, whether they want to be or not, and whether they are present in their lives or not. I am so blessed to have had a daddy who never left, who never wanted to be anywhere expect with his family. In 43 years of loving, devoted marriage, mama never once had to wonder where you were, when or if you'd be home, what you were doing, nor worry over whether you'd squander the bill money on something unnecessary. Regardless of how tight finances were at times, your wife and children never knew the pains of insecurity or fear. Actions do speak louder than words, and you were always a man of your word, a man of honor, respect, and dignity. In all my years of growing up, I never once experienced the disappointment and saddness of broken, empty promises nor unfulfilled good intentions. I feel that I fall short many times in measuring up to that value, as often I have failed to act according to what I know to be right in my heart. And I have suffered the consequences of such actions, sometimes in circumstances, and always in feeling poorly about myself inside.

There are certain things which stand out in my childhood memories that I want to thank you for adding to my life. They are such seemingly little things. At the time I didn't realize how important they were, but mean so much to me now. These are the very things I strive to pass on to my children. One of the special memories I cherish is of the nights you sat at the foot of the bed, played your guitar, and sang Sherry and I to sleep. Mama too, had her turn, and at our request, one of you would come to sit with us and send us sweetly off to sleep with the gentle strummings and soft songs. Even now, hearing those old country songs warms my heart and makes me smile. It's because of this, and so many other little things, that I have learned being a parent is all about creating memories for our children. For it is our memories which mold us into adults and parents, ourselves. And one of the great uncertainties about parenthood is that we never know at the time what little memories will make a difference in our childrens' lives and which ones will be forgotten. It seems it's the smallest of acts which have the greatest impact — those things done effortlessly and without much thought; those which comes naturally and spontaneously. While the words and actions we as adults feel are so monumental turn out to be the things our children barely remember. I've tried to build memories for my children based on those little things which meant the most to me. So I began singing to Sarah from the time she was born, and as she grew, she learned every song I knew. She then learned new songs at Sunday School and pre-school, which she taught to me. I sang her to sleep each night after our story book, and we'd sing together during the day, everywhere we went. I don't sing to Sarah anymore, now that she's grown. Yet, I've continued that memory with Robert who thinks it's impossible to fall asleep without hearing me sing "The Old Rugged Cross". And it really doesn't matter if we can carry a tune, for there's just something heavenly about a parent singing to their child. Because you read Bible stories to us and prayed with us, I have read to and prayed with my children. You taught me that family and children are the most important part of life, because we were to you.

Only after being a parent myself for several years, did I realize just how you truly devoted your whole life to us kids and mama. When we were little, everything you did was for us, every penny you earned was earned for us, and every free moment you had was spent with us. We were your world. Only since I've been grown, have I realized the many sacrafices you must have made to provide for us. Yet, if you ever once considered them to be sacrafices, I certainly never knew it. Treating us to everything you could was always a pleasure for you, as if there was nothing else you'd rather do. I really don't know how you were able to give us everything you did. I know there were times you were without work, and for many years, money was tight and the bills were sometimes past-due. But at the time I never knew it. We always had plenty to eat, we were never cold, we had nice clothes and plenty of toys, and our mama didn't have to go off to work and leave us to be raised by sitters. Not once did I ever go to bed worried if there would be food or electricity, even though you and mama sometimes had those worries. God always managed to provide for us, and you protected us from those worries, because, as you told me years later, children should never have to worry about such things. I think what amazes me the most is that no matter what the work or financial situation was, there was never a Christmas without lots of toys for us, and you always found the time, the money, and the patience to take us on family trips. Whether it was those big vacations to the beach in Galveston and to Disney Land, or all the many weekend trips we made to places right here in Oklahoma, like the museums, Blue River, Beaver's Bend, the underground mine, and camping at Thunderbird, your time away from work was spent entertaining your family. I realize now that the driving force behind your work was your family. Even when we weren't going on trips, you still spent time with us doing something. Sometimes it was just playing with us in the living room, giving us horsey-back rides, or building things for us in the garage. Do you remember those little jigsaw puzzles you'd make for us out of scrap lumber? I thought those were about the greatest thing I'd ever seen anyone do. And you even built us a go-cart one time, which Sherry ran into the swing set and smashed my pinkie finger. And I remember you taking us and Troy, Jr. to all the rodeos, going fishing at Clear Pond, and riding our horses together. Looking back, I can't believe you actually bought me my own horse when I was only 7 years old. You were always so giving of your time and attention, that I wonder now if you ever once thought about yourself. Wanting to make a difference in childrens' lives meant so much to you that you were a Boy Scout leader, even before you had a son of your own.

When Sherry and I were small, I don't think you ever spent any money on yourself, though I'm sure there were plenty of things you would have liked to have had. Yet, any extra money you had was always saved to take us on all those trips. Until Sherry and I were nearly teen agers, the bowling league one night a week was the only thing you and mama ever did without us. I was so spoiled to the family always being together that I cried on bowling night, and sometimes Sherry and I would get to go. As a parent now, I know there were times you would have liked to have time to yourself, and maybe just go fishing without any kids tagging along, but family always came first to you, in every way. Through your love and devotion to us, you taught me that once people get married and have a family, their life is no longer their own to fulfill their selfish desires, but becomes tightly woven together with spouse and children, all as one inseperable life. As a result of your example, family loyalty and commitment are as strong and as important within me as my own heart beat. From the day Sarah was born, my selfish desires ceased and all I wanted was to be the best mother I could possibly be — to somehow live up to the example of you and mama.

I learned as much about teaching and care-giving from you as I did from mama. As the father, you didn't limit yourself to just providing for us and entertaining us. You also took care of us when we were hurt or sick, just the same as mama did. When Sherry's arm was broken, you were the one that took her to the doctor, while mama stayed home with me. And I couldn't count the times you laid beside me on my bed, rubbing my neck and head when I had those terrible headaches. I was ill so often as a child, with the headaches and throwing up, but you never once grew frustrated with all the times you had to stop the car because I was sick. Remember the time we had to stop the car and our dog, Micky jumped out without being noticed? We left her behind and then had to go back and find her. I'm so grateful we were all together the time we got stranded in the big snow storm. The car was stuck in the snow and we had to walk over a mile to the closest house. I was 8 years old, and yet the wind was blowing so strong I could barely stay standing — and so you picked me up, wrapped me in a blanket, and carried me all the way to safety.

When I was in the 3rd grade, it was you that sat down with me and helped me learn the multiplication tables and memorize all the Presidents, States and Capitals. You sat there at the kitchen table with me, for however long it took, until I had them committed to memory. That's just an example of the way you've always been about everything in life. No matter what it is, and regardless of whether you like it or not, if it has to be done, then you just commit yourself to doing it. "You don't have to like it," you always said, "Just do it, do it right, and be done with it." That kind of self-discipline has been difficult for me to learn, but I'm so grateful for your example.

Remember all the times you'd say, "You're as happy as you make up your mind to be"? It took so many years before that ever made sense to me. As a teenager, I was careless and rebellious, and you often lost your temper with me. I would cry and feel sorry for myself, refusing to see that I'd brought my heartache on myself. Mama would tell me that you only got angry with me because you loved me and worried about me so much. I always told her I thought you had a funny way of showing it. Since having children of my own, I find that I worry so about their safety, but they say I have a funny way of showing it sometimes. So many things we just don't understand until we become parents ourselves, yet every child knows whether or not they are safe, secure, and important. There was never once a time that I felt insecure in my own home, nor doubted that I was loved and important. As children, you told us time and again that we were loved, planned, and wanted more than anything else in your life. Today I believe those are the greatest words any child can hear. I grew up thinking the worst thing in life was getting yelled at for not coming home on time or for having a rotten attitude. I didn't know then how blessed I was, because I'd never known anything but love. I went out on my own, filled with faith, so trusting and naive to the dangers and deceits in the world. Yes, I learned the hard way how cold and frightening life can be, but I also came to realize how fotunate I am to have parents who sheltered me from all the evils in the world. The woman and mother I am today is the result of loving, godly parents. You and mama gave me an understanding of God and His infinte love, not merely by taking us to Church every Sunday, but by being reflections of God in your own daily lives. For every child's first impression of God is what they see and experience in their parents. Even through all these years of cancer and chemotherapy, I've watched you live your life as if nothing was wrong, where so many others in your place fall to the temptation of depression and self-pity. To the amazement of your doctors, you long out-lived most cancer patients by many years. And it wasn't because you quickly changed your life-style, following strict, health-food diets, exercise plans, and routine sleeping patterns. No, you didn't stop and suddenly focus all your attention on your physical health as most of us tend to do in the face of incurable disease. You knew, despite what the doctors and medical reports warned, that those kinds of changes would never make you happy. You've always known that it is our spiritual condition - our attitudes - which determine our health and happiness. Throughout my life, when you were healthy and strong, and then when you were sick and often afraid, your example was living proof that we really are just as happy as we make up our minds to be, and the secret ingredient is doing things for others instead of thinking about ourselves.

You gave me strong, solid morals and values which guide me through life today. I was never confused between right and wrong, because you always made it perfectly clear. Most importantly, you live by what you believe and know to be right, honoring your commitments and fulfilling your responsibilities, regardless of feeling or circumstance. You've always expected the same from others as well, and I once thought your "no excuses" attitude was harsh and uncaring. I now understand that the rewards of self-respect and peace of mind come only from living up to God's principles for our lives. You instilled in me a strong sense of justice and fair-play; that there's never a reason to do wrong, that two wrongs don't make a right, and when you do something, always try your best to do it right the first time. And if you do make a mistake, don't waste your energy in regret, but use that energy to make things right. From my earliest memory, you drilled it in our heads that people should never go to sleep at night angry with anyone, and that we should always have the courtesy to let loved ones know where we are. You showed me that when you give your heart to someone, you give them your whole heart, and to put their best interest before yourself. You and mama both taught me that everyone makes mistakes sometimes, to be forgiving and compassionate, and that everyone deserves a second chance. You always took every opportunity to tell me to put myself in the other person's shoes, which taught me to be considerate of other people's feelings.

I believe one of the happiest days of my life was when you told me that I had finally grown into a daughter you were proud of. I remember the day you told me that there was a time you almost gave up on me, but that you had since becomes proudest of me of your three children. I also remember you telling me that I was the kind of wife any man would be proud to have. When you first pushed me to go to college, I did so with resistance, simply because I didn't believe in myself. But you believed in me, and as a result, I made you and myself very proud. I am so grateful for that. Not only through that, but throughout my life, you taught me that people should always do their best, live up to their potential, and always keep their word. You taught me that commitment is absolutely everything, don't make promises you can't keep, but make promises, and always mean what you say. Because of these principles which you lived up to, I can't remember ever feeling disappointed or cheated by you.

You provided Sarah with a wonderful male role-model since she was a baby, giving her the father-figure she wouldn't have otherwise had. You always made sure she never did without anything she needed or wanted. I only regret that by the time Robert was born, you were already too sick to be that kind of grandpa for him — and I know how much you regretted that, also. Yet, despite how weak and ill became over the years, you continued to stand beside me. You loved, encouraged, and helped me through all the hard times, regardless of your opinion of my choices, and yet you never once interfered in my decisions. I know you've hurt for me many times, but you never once complained, critisized, nor condemned me for unwise choices. You have done everything humanly possible to see me make it and be happy, and always with a smile and words of encouragement and confidence. You have done and given much more than I've deserved, and all you've ever wanted in return was to see me happy. You were blessed with the true spirit of giving and you are without a doubt the most generous person I know. Whether it is your family you give to, or anyone else, you give only because it makes you feel good, and never because you expect anything in return. Because of that example, I have learned that giving is its own reward, and that real happiness comes from doing what makes me feel good about myself and not doing things which make me feel shame and regret.

Since I've been grown, you've become a very successful business man and have had the money to buy brand new things you want, but it's not the expensive things that make your face light up. You're still the most satisfied when you find that good bargain, or when you get something half-broken down at a swap meet which you can repair and make work again. Regardless of money and success, you still know that inner fulfillment comes with a sense of personal accomplishment and creativity. And yet, when it comes to mother and your family, you have spared no expense to give us the best. Again, your example has taught me that true joy is not in spending a lot of money nor making sure I have the most expensive things. There is a wonderful sense of joy in getting something I want and knowing I saved money which can be used for someone or something else. I realize you've taught me the value of money in its proper perspective, how to use it wisely, and that neither spending it lavishly nor hoarding it selfishly will bring me happiness. I've learned how very true it is that it is more joyful to give than receive. I have learned the sense of pride and self-respect that comes from knowing my obligations are met, my debts are paid, I am honest with others, I obey the law, I give of myself to others, my family always comes first, and I can look anyone in the eyes and smile.

I am very proud to be your daughter and extremely grateful that you are my daddy.
I love you.

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