Dear Daddy,

I want to thank you for being such an amazing father to me. You lost your own Father when you were just 2. You were blessed with a strong father figure in your maternal grandfather. He would have been proud of all you accomplished.

You were always so loving with me. You truly spoiled me rotten. I know being the youngest or as y'all affectionally called me "the happy surprise" isn't such a bad gig. We had a close relationship that I was truly grateful for - I hope you know growing up with you as my Dad was pretty amazing.

Playing recess on your former high school football field was awesome...after listening to stories of you being the star High School QB - I was so proud running around on that same ground. You left High School and joined the Army. After serving in WW2 - "The Big One", you worked so hard in the oilfields under that hot Texas sun where you started out as a roustabout....which meant low entry and hard work. You worked your way up from that position to "Company man" which translated to obtaining new clients and checking in with existing clients. I love that over a few cold ones that you decided instead of making money for someone else you could do it for yourself.

I remember you worked so hard to establish an oil field trucking, contracting and sandblasting company. I had no clue what sandblasting was....when employees couldn't handle the heat and would pass out doing the work in a hot water tower or grain tower you would go in and do it yourself. I can remember how drained you were. How on earth did you do that in that crazy heat? You worked very hard and became very successful and well known for what you did, but what you did wasn't who you were....you were a good person. You were so hilarious. You had the best sense of humor....you made people laugh and feel good. I know you had such a generous nature if you heard of someone in need you made sure it was taken care of....instead of just advancing a salary to someone who was struggling you lent a helping hand. You knew - you had been there. People respected you....your reputation of fairness and being someone decent to work for was well known and that just says a lot about your character.

I want to thank you for instilling within me a love for our Texas and respecting our precious land and all that inhabited it. You taught me how to hunt and fish responsibly. You taught me how to garden, which was such a gift...there's nothing like growing your own vegetables. Just so many things you blessed me with by being you.

I want to thank you for loving me through both my good and poor choices. You loved me unwaveringly. I am so sorry if I ever caused you a moment of pain. You taught me so much. Daddy, I miss you and I love you.