Big John died Monday, June 23rd in Odessa. He was 85 years old. He had cancer and hadn't been feeling well the days before he died and Momma and Myrt Myrt told him if he wasn't better by Monday, they were taking him to the hospital. Well, he wasn't any better so they took him in.
When they got him into triage, it didn't look good, so all of the family that was nearby rushed to get to Odessa. I contemplated driving, but to prepare for an unexpected 9 hour drive with a two year old who was napping is a little daunting, so I decided I would leave first thing the next morning. He died only a couple of hours later. Clint, Dashielle and Mason made it over before he died. He had a massive heart attack and was comatose. To honor his wishes, he was taken off of life support as soon as they knew there was nothing they could do for him. Several other family members made it to the hospital minutes after he died.
That whole week, women from church (and a few other people) brought food over every night. We had homemade lasagna, homemade fried chicken and mashed potatoes, roast, and lots of other stuff. We had homemade cakes coming out our ears, several every day. They brought fresh fruit and drinks and paper plates and tin foil and paper towels and toilet paper and anything else they thought we could possibly need with family in town. It was astounding the outpouring of love that came from the church.
Because there was family that couldn't make it to Pecos until later in the week, we had Big John's funeral on Saturday. The viewing was on Friday evening at the funeral home. Earlier in the day, the flower shop called Myrt Myrt and asked her if we wanted all of the flowers delivered to the funeral home. When she told them yes, they said there were a lot of them and are we sure we want them all delivered.
When we got to the funeral home, there were, in fact a lot of flowers. The largest spray of flowers was from NAPA auto parts! Big John was a very good customer all these years. He was a diesel mechanic and still worked on stuff until very recently. He probably spent a pretty penny in their store. (The next week, there was a bill from NAPA in Big John's mailbox. Printed on the bottom of it was a message offering their condolences and saying they were going to miss his smile and bear hugs. I thought that was a very special thing to do.)
The next morning was the funeral and I was amazed at the number of people that were in attendance. The church was packed. My cousin is a state trooper in a town a few counties away and there were 8 or 9 uniformed officers that attended to show their respect. Cody, Daddy and Joe led songs and a few of my cousins, Daddy and Joe got up to say a few words. The service was led by the preacher in Pecos, Fred Dominguez.
It was a nice memorial service and there were lots of stories of fishing, hunting and fixin' cars with bailing wire and duct tape. And a memorial service for Big John would not be complete without mention of the bus, the lake and catfish charlie. Most everyone mentioned his strength and his fairness; he was well-respected for his hardwork and honesty when it came to business. He was laid to rest in a suit and several inquired as to why he wouldn't be wearing his trusty overalls. Momma said that Memaw would've come back from the dead and pinched their ears if they'd put him in those overalls. She's probably right. In fact, she probably threatened as much over the years.
At the graveside, the flag was presented to Myrt Myrt and all of the men in the family as well as a few others, closed the grave. After the service, lunch was served for all of the extended family at the fellowship hall at church. The ladies at church really went above and beyond that whole week.
Big John will be missed for sure, but we can't be too sad. He was in pain and weak and was quickly losing his independence, which is something he was fighting tooth and nail to keep. He didn't want to leave his farm and he didn't want to sit in some silly wheelchair either. Plus, Memaw's been waiting two and a half years for him. I'm so very happy for him.
Here are just a few pictures of Big John over the last couple of years. If I had a scanner and some old pictures, I would've included them, but this will have to do.
Big John and Clara~ March 2006
Big John, Clara, Clayton, Wyatt and Bryce~ September 2006
Big John, Clara and I~ 85th Birthday Celebration~ November 2007
3 comments:
How sweet that you have the pictures of him with the great grandkids. I only met him three or four times, but he was one of those people I felt like I'd always known. He'll really be missed.
Is that his and Memaw's portrait, over his shoulder, in one of the pictures?
Why yes it is. I don't think they ever had a picture made of just the two of them, so a few years ago, they took these two pictures in and had them put together, hence the dark background only behind Memaw.
He sounds like a fun grandfather to have had. You will have stories to tell Clara for years to come. Someone is going to have some BIG OVERALLS to fill now that he is gone!!
My prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Claudia
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