This post is a little bit about my Dad and the trail that he left behind for me to follow. I miss him. Today Feb. 12th, marks the day he passed away 12 years ago. It doesn't seem possible it has been so long. Each day I still feel like, "hey, where is he?" I wish I could just see and talk with him again.
My father passed away from heart failure. I found him in bed, looking peaceful with his hands clasped together as if he was just taking a nap. He has left a huge void in my heart that will never be filled. He was the most perfect person in my eyes I have ever known.
His father was one of the area’s largest Potato growers along with sugar beets, grain, alfalfa, and sheep. Farming was his way of life. He enjoyed working the ground, getting up at 5am to change water, and the harvest. When he passed away, my dad took over the farm and house. I treasure being raised in the same house and sleeping in the same room as he did as a boy.
He was very well known and respected. All my life wherever we would go, he was stopped by a person that wanted to say hello and talk to him. Everywhere....the mall, restaurants, shopping, and even vacations. He always had a smile and interest in what you were up to in life.
My father wore a hairpiece. Which to this day, some people didn’t know about. He always wore a hat or his hairpiece. I never knew him with a full head of hair. One time he was asked by some young kids about how Indians use to scalp white man. He told them where the Indians grabbed the hair and simulated the stroke of a knife across the top of his head and pulled off his hairpiece… You never saw mouths drop open like that for so long. He had a great sense of humor.
Some of his favorite pastimes in life were horse packing trips, camping, and snowmobiling. He passed that on to me. A lot of my fond memories was spending time in the mountains. Whether a 5 day horse trip, checking on the sheep, or just a ride in the mountains. Many lessons I have learned there taught me about life’s challenges. Some include how my mother wouldn’t allow me to go with him again for my safety. But he managed to sneak me back in the truck somehow.
He was very devoted to his testimony of the Gospel. He took all church callings seriously and would strive to live his life correctly. He was honest and most generous. He would always give you money, fill up your car with gasoline, or even do your chores for you.
When I asked Susan to marry me, we came home to tell my parents. He was out in the summer sun tearing apart an old barn. He stopped what he was doing and was so excited to come give Susan a hug and kiss. His face was all sweaty and dirty, but he didn’t care. It was important to him to support me in the girl that would marry me.
We all have that someone special in our life that is like my father for me. We can all go on and on about that person in our life that really stands out. I am nowhere near the caliber of a father/man as he was. I yearn for the day I can see him again and I know I will. He is my best friend, my example, my hero, and my Father. Thank you for showing ME what’s beyond the trail. I miss and love you dad.
That's a really sweet tribute to your father Corey. All little boys should have the experience of having a father like that. You are a very lucky man, even if you had him for such a short time.
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious the story your dad would tell about the scalping with his hairpiece! It's no wonder you have always had that wonderful sense of humor you have! Give yourself more credit than that ~ you are a LOT like your dad. I can't believe it's been that long ago. I know you miss him a lot, Corey. Thanks for sharing that part of him in you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a comment for one of dad's cousins, Georgelean Olvera. I read your thoughts and remarks about your Dad and I felt the same pride reading your words. Your Father was the nicest and best person ever. I can say that knowing him as a child, he was exceptional then. Your Dad had beautiful blond h...air and the kindest smile and twinkling blue eyes. Our fathers would get together talking over business and we would play and enjoy the day. From riding in the grain truck, in the back with the shaff blowing around, to riding our horses or picking a bouquet of dandelions for our beloved grandmother to eating at the cookhouse. I would play at your house as much as your Dad would be at our house. We rode the same school bus from the first grade on, we were in the same grade, same class thru gradeschool. He was more than a cousin, he was my best friend and closer than a brother. I can't believe he is gone, I think about him so often. In fact, Jay VanOrden asked if he was a shirt tail relative of mine, "i answered, oh more than that, he was my cousin and best friend". ...... He was talking about range ground.
ReplyDeleteYou gave your father a wonderful tribute and well deserved, he was the best of the best and I loved him dearly.
Corey, my friend left this on my email for you...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to comment here, because maybe it would freak Corey out a little bit that YOUR blog stalker read his blog too. But, my, what a beautiful tribute to his father! I have to disagree about his writing disclaimer -- I think it was wonderful. I'm sorry that his father is gone. He sounds like a great man.