TERRY'S LIBRARY: Dad's Memorial & Interment

Dad's Memorial Service

(Pic)
Brother Kelly (r.) & I flank Dad's portrait.

We're so grateful to
Providence Funeral Home
in Taylor, TX who handled both
Mom and Dad's arrangements.
They were patient & accommodating
in addressing all of our requests
and handled each detail with
much care and respect.

Dad's Obituary, Providence website

Mom's Obituary, Providence website

Aunt Barbara Machu
views family artifacts
The Celebration of Dad's Life held in
the Chapel of Providence Funeral Home
the evening of April 25

presented an opportunity
to share not only his own
life timeline but,
as well,
it provided
an opportunity to share our family's
history on this occasion,

this being
our Centennial in Williamson County.

Those attending Visitation could view artifacts in the foyer related to that history.

Speaking of timelines

[Dad's Biography Slides]

[Mom's Biography Slides]

It is unfortunate that the only time we see wonderful friends and acquaintances from our time growing up is such times as these.

I am grateful to all who attended the Memorial celebrating Dad's life and who shared their favorite memories of Dad and Mom with me and my brother, his wife Stacey, and the grandkids.

So glad Trevor and Lauren were able to have their grandfather's life further illuminated.

Kelly's colleagues from the Round Rock Fire Dept. attended, pulling up in the big red fire truck as they did at Mom's service.

A recent addition to the Taylor Police Department, our cousin Kolton Whisenant took time away from his patrol to pay his respects (shown here with his proud Mimi, my Aunt Debbie).

And long-time neighbors of our homeplace in Circleville paid their respects -
Mark & Cindy Harwell
and Henry (Hank) Naizer.

Included among the beautiful flowers
that were given:

this arrangement (left) from

my former department chair at Akins High School,
Sharon Kay Fayad.

Mom's family presented this beautiful wreath for Dad's services - adorned in cotton (Dad would have loved that!)

Yellow was Dad's favorite color and so we chose this arrangement for him:

Dad's Interment Service

The following morning, Friday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. we gathered at my mother's Machu Family's cemetery where years ago Mom and Dad had installed their headstone. It is located near the front gate beside the plot of Mom's parents.

Pastor James Hejl officiated at both our parent's services (shown here expressing his condolences to family following the committal service).

The Presentation of Flag
at the beginning of the Interment service
was quite moving.

The officer who played Taps
provided a beautiful delivery.

The notes on his trumpet
made even more emotional
by the rumble of distant thunder
heard in the background.

But the rains held off
until we'd all departed.

I'd promised myself I wouldn't get emotional,
but watching through my phone camera
while trying to document the
presentation of the flag to my brother
I got quite choked up.

It was a beautiful service
followed by
coffee and donuts provided beneath the Pavilion.

My brother holds the flag
in this photo of the family
gathered around the cross.