Papa

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May 7, 1933 to June 27, 2000

"Papa"

My daddy was a wonderful father but he was also the greatest papa in the world!! He had the biggest heart and he shared it with children. Daddy loved all children.

Papa, as he was affectionately called was the proud grandfather of 5 wonderful grandsons!! He first became a papa in 1979 when Shane arrived. He was wrinkled like a prune because he was a smidge early, but his papa fell in love at first sight. Then in 1982, after the disappointment of losing 2 babies to miscarriage, his second grandson came along. Brandon was sickly in the beginning, suffering from severe asthma, but his papa didn't baby him, he saw the strong little boy inside. Shane and Brandon are pictured above standing behind their papa.

Years passed and I think papa thought those 2 would be all the grandchildren he'd have. But, remember he loved all children. His grandsons lived across town but there was a little boy across the street. Papa worked third shift, so he was around in the mornings. The little boy's parents had divorced and his grandpa worked days and I guess he was lonely or papa just thought he needed a playmate!! *S* That little boy was soon calling him papa and playing with him regularly!!

In the mean time, my sister was coaching ball and the children on her teams were that many more children papa could share his love with. He went to all the games to cheer them on and he knew them by name!! One of the best pictures I have of my dad is a picture of him holding a trophy his girls won!! Of course he is wearing a great big smile and there is no mistaking that look of pride as he holds that huge trophy up for the picture!!

After years of trying to convince papa to move, he and mom bought land a few blocks from his grandsons. Before they could get the house built, his grandsons moved to another state. I know it broke his heart to have his only grandchildren so far away, but he still kept up with my sister's teams and there were new little children that needed a big playmate. Papa kept his old refrigerator full of soft drinks to share with his little friends!!

Then, surprise, surprise, in 1996 God gave that big hearted man another little grandson!! 1999 marked the arrival of yet another little grandson, Sutton. He is named after his papa's daddy!! Lil Mark and Sutton are pictured above sitting in their Papa's lap. It was Sutton's first and last christmas with his Papa!! Early 2000 a new grandbaby was on the way. Papa never got to know if it was a boy or girl. He passed away 6 months before his last grandson was born. He is named lil Al after his papa.

When papa was so sick at the end, I was so amazed at the number of young people that visited. He touched so many young lives and they loved him as much as he loved them. Papa knew he wouldn't live to see the last baby. I was there when the doctor finally told him he was dying. My daddy took my arm and as his voice broke with emotion he said, "Sutton won't remember me and I won't even get to see this last baby. Please tell them about me and how much I loved them." Lil Mark and Sutton listen to stories about their papa all the time and there are tons of pictures sitting around the room. In time, when he's old enough, lil Al will get to know his papa and how very much he loved the little baby he never got to see!!

Here's papas 5 grandsons!!

Our papa lost his battle with lung cancer, a battle he shouldn't have had to fight if the dangers of smoking had been known sooner. If your papa smokes, ask him to quit and please don't you start. Help us get the message to others...please take a ribbon and link it back to this site-http://www.oocities.org/mommyzboyz/papa.html. Our papa's death will not be in vain if this site will help someone quit smoking, or keep someone from ever starting!! Thank you!!.

PAPA'S LEGACY

Whenever you feel lonely
Or you're just missing me,

Look closely at my grandsons
And this is what you'll see.

Shane is my reflection
Except his eyes are blue,

Brandon has my wide shoulders
And hands so strong and true.

Mark Jr. has my strong will
And my dashing style,

Sutton is slow to anger
And like me is quick to smile.

The last of my grandsons
I never got to see,

His name is little Al
They named him after me.

Each one is a little like me
In their own special way,

And I'll live on through all of them
Each and every day!!

.......if I know who visited,
I can drop by and sign yours too!!

friends have dropped in!!

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This web site was created by CL&M Tuck © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2001.

This site was last updated Friday, September 7, 2001.

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