The sports guys, the music types, the new friends, old friends, young friends, captains of industry, the worker on the line. They all loved him.
And he loved them back.
It was one of his secrets of life.
Daddy was a fulfilled man. He married his dad's hot secretary, the woman of his dreams with whom he just celebrated his 58th wedding anniversary. He had a family who loved him and each other. He knew how fortunate he was that his livelihood coincided with passionate interests. And he was able to express his love of music through 20 years of the Atlanta Jazz Party and recording 14 CDs of his favorite musicians.
Although Dad's life work focused on increased productivity and an improved bottom-line, he led a balanced life with time for leisure, entertainment and enjoyment. I believe Daddy managed to live the prayer: acceptance for the things he could not change, courage and energy to change the things he could and wisdom to know the difference.
Although Daddy and I had completely different worldviews on many things, on global warming and nuclear energy, for example, his perspective on life, his values and ethics, his EXAMPLE, were all right on the mark and a valued legacy for all of us. I think there's an object lesson here, that maybe our approach and attitude towards life matters more than the conclusions we draw along the way.
One of my favorite things I heard people say about daddy was 'he was comfortable in his own skin..'
He carried this quality with him to the end lending his quiet, good-humored style even to the art of dying. One Sunday morning, Charlie Brock brought communion to daddy. Hank and Catherine Anthony had dropped in and we had a special service with bible readings and a short sermon, communion. It was really lovely. At the close Charlie asked dad if there was anything, or anyone, that he would like for us to pray with him about.
Daddy said, "I guess I just want to say, 'Thank you...'"
A beautiful frame on a beautiful life.
Thank YOU, Daddy!