Lloyd Thompson 5/4/1929 - 8/27/2011
Remembering My Dad
These are the words I spoke at my father's funeral.
"The world has now lost one of its best, most brilliant stars now that Dad has passed away. Dad said repeatedly during his life that he wanted his funeral to be a celebration - well, Dad, I'm doing the best I can today... I think I will probably celebrate his life by remembering the good times we had day to day in the months and years to come. He is now in Heaven, which IS cause for high celebration! So, while we all mourn and miss his presence here, at this moment he is probably reserving a space on the fireplace mantle of his new mansion for fishing trophies."
"I look around his house, and I see his hand in almost everything there; the deck he built, the barn, the patio, the overhead vine-thingy. The funny stuff, such as the tree face, the benches he built and the little conveniences he created. He was a man who really enjoyed working with his hands."
"Dad was a nutcase. I know that no one here can deny he was a happy, joyful man who never knew a stranger. He had an especially accepting manner that had a wonderful effect on both people and animals. I have observed on more than one occasion how he was able to draw out even the most introverted person."
"He enjoyed a good laugh, as some of you who fell victim to the walnut-shell-under-the-toilet seat prank know, as well as many other friends and family alike who were his other targets. He loved nature, and constantly observed the evidence of God in its beauty. He was an avid fisherman, always betting who would catch the first, biggest and the most fish - probably not a wise thing to bet against him. Grandma usually won the biggest tomato contest. I was too young to remember, but I'm told he and Mom used to take the family on nature walks so we might also learn to appreciate creation. The mountains of New Mexico and Colorado held special fascination for him for their extraordinary beauty - AND the chance to go fishing at numerous lakes and rivers. I will never again be able to look at a forest - or smell the fragrance of a pinion pine tree without thinking of him."
"Music was something my Dad especially enjoyed and appreciated. From church choir to barbershop chorus and quartet to some of the latest (for him) music, he appreciated and was gifted to perform much of the music he loved. I will always remember singing with him in The Singing Plainsmen barbershop chorus and being especially proud of my Dad as he stood on stage with Lowel Caddel, Don Haragan, Len Webster and Joe Goodin entertaining large crowds with "The Fat Girl Song" and other favorites; also singing together in "Amahl and the Night Visitors" at St. Lukes as a very young child almost 40 years ago. Both my mother and my father were instrumental in bringing the beauty of music into my life, but without a doubt Dad played the largest role when he got me involved in the St. Lukes Boy's Choir and then later the barbershop chorus. Some time after the second time he was treated for prostate cancer, I spoke with him about my own love for music, and I was able to express thankfulness to him for placing the gift of music into my life."
"Dad wasn't nearby day-to-day for much of my life growing up, but when I got to spend time with him the things he taught me were invaluable."
'Try it, you might like it.'
'Don't hit girls.'
'A gentleman never kisses and tells.'
'Be the solution, and not the problem.'
'YOUR watch is WRONG. You need to soak that thing in vinegar.'
'Stop judging your step-father. It takes a lot of guts to step into a family where there are already six children.'
"Dad had some not-so-joyful, dark times in his life, but he chose never to dwell on those times, to my knowledge. His most joyful times in later years were because of the presence of one particular woman in his life, his wife of sixteen years, Lisa. Today, Dad and Lisa also celebrate their sixteenth wedding anniversary. Lisa, you have been companionship, friendship, life and love to him, and your family was very special to him. I've told you before but just as a reminder and so everyone here can hear it, YOU were the one on whom he chose to place his affection and you made him very happy. Thank you for being there for him; I can never adequately express my appreciation for the happiness and comfort you brought to him in his final years."
"Dad, I love you very much, and I'm glad I got the chance to tell you so while you were still here. I have tried my whole life to become the man I always thought you would want me to be and that you would be proud of. I always wanted to be just like you. I will miss you dearly. Tell Grandma and Jo Susan I said 'Hi!' and that I love them."
"Lisa wanted me to read a card they got, an especially meaningful verse on the front:"
'The greatest gifts of a marriage are these: '
'Blessings and joys and fond memories, '
'Comforting smiles and unselfish sharing, '
'Generous giving, the bond of true caring,'
' The hopes of two hearts and all they’re dreaming of, and knowing that each is the other's true love. '
'As you walk through life together, hand-in-hand, live each day in the beautiful love God has given you to share.'