My big brother

April 1957 ~ March 2009

My dearest brother as I sit here this morning watching the sun come up and listening to the birds sing all I can think of is you are sitting in God's garden right now talking up a storm, telling everyone all about your beautiful wife, children and grand babies.

You are surrounded by all of those that loved you and were waiting for you to come home.

I know I've told you at least a million times how much I love you but did you know you were my friend? Did you know that I treasured you, that even though you drove me crazy in true big brother fashion that I thought you hung the moon and the stars ?

Yes you knew, you knew everything.. that's what made you the best big brother ever.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow.
1 Thessalonians 3:12


No truer words ...
your love was always true, strong and steady. Overflowing and increasing everyday.
When I look into the faces of your children, when I hold those beautiful grands I feel your love.

We miss you, so stay close bubba ..

Devereaux and I will take care of daddy, momma, Debbie and the kids you just remember to give Cricket a poke every now and then.

Thank you for being my brother, thank you for teaching me how to love unconditionally,
thank you for being you.

With all my heart & soul I love you, your little sister, Cherry

poem from Jessica

I would first like to thank everyone that has stopped by in the last two weeks and apologize for not personally responding to all the wonderful and helpful comments you have left.

On Friday January the second of this year my big brother Allen was diagnosed with a very progressed small cell lung cancer. He fought as hard as he could but with every success came more sad news, we thought we would have more time with him but we lost him Thursday night.

I would like to share a poem that his oldest daughter Jessica wrote and read at his Memorial service yesterday.

DADDY

Walking down the hospital hall feeling so weak I just about fall.

They say you have less than a year

we all heard our worst fear.

Cancer is in your liver, lungs and hip

at our hearts we all feel a rip.

A month later the stroke takes you for a loop,

it is heart breaking to see your face droop.

I love you more with every passing day

All I want is for you to stay.

It is so hard to see you not talk

I have to go for a walk

Thinking of back in the day

if I was sad you would make it ok.

You taught me to bait my own hook

and to be a great cook.

To change an element in a water heater and

to read a tire pressure meter.

You could fix anything you put your hands on

there wasn’t a thing you couldn’t do with a little nail or glue.

Everyone knows this is true ...

Watching the race, you take a nap

always to wake up before the last lap

On the table there was always food no matter what the mood.

Taking a whole motor apart, man you were always so smart.

On the floor you would sit just to listen to every great hit.

You would play them for hours

like nothing else in the world matters.

Coming home after a long fishing day

I wanted to hear every word you had to say

There was always a great fishing tale

you would have the biggest like every other male !

After my walk you still couldn’t talk...

A few weeks later pneumonia set in

In the hospital you go again.

Everyone comes to see you, putting on a show

like only you could do.

That’s the last you would stay awake ... man how our hearts ache

Some missed your last breath but everyone loves you to death

It hurts so bad but its for the best

Daddy go with God its time to rest.

I will not say goodbye

for it will only make me cry

There will be a time for us too

then we will all come home to you.

A few pictures from the weekend