Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Loss of a Great Man

You are never prepared for the loss of a loved one. This afternoon at 4:50 PM, my Father-in-Law, Junior Leon Parker passed away. My Mother-in-Law was at his side when he took his last breath and left this earth to take his place in heaven. My Father-in-Law was a GREAT man who touched so many lives and contributed to making this world a better place. He was a hero who survived WWII and the "Battle of the Bulge"; spent 32 years serving the citizens of Los Angeles as a Fireman for the LAFD, and spent as many years enjoying his retirement with his family and friends.

We find peace on knowing he is now in a better place and no longer suffering. He will be greatly missed and words cannot begin to express the loss we all feel. His quiet, soft spoken love for family and friends was always present and cherished by those who had the pleasure of being in his presence. His body will be gone but he will live forever in our thoughts and daily lives.

Junior Leon Parker; Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Father-in-Law, Chief, Friend, Hero, Dad….. He was so much more to so many people. Thank you for your words of encouragement, support and love.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Steve,
I saw that call come out today and was thinking of you and your family. Men of such honor are far to rare these days...it seems we could all learn a little something from him! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Matt D.

Anonymous said...

Our condolences to you, your wife and her family. You've got your priorities right my friend.

M. McGhee

Anonymous said...

Steve,

My heartfelt condolences to you, your wife, and your entire family. Take care of your selves. It sounds like he was a really great man.

Tom R.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Linda D.

Dee said...

Steve,
I am so sorry about your loss. Losing a loved one is never easy, especially parents.

You are very fortunate, however, you were able to spend his last days with him.

I feel your pain.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Yes losing a parent is never easy!! especially when they are in pain and you feel like there isnt anything you can do to help them. My father died in 2007 and not a day goes by that I dont think of him and the love he had for me and my daughter as well as with so many others. I will especially miss his sense of humor and kindness. So many questions go through your mind like should I have said more? done more? given more? Then I have to remember that I did the best that I could with such short time we had. I just wish more of my family could have been there in his final days to put his mind at ease. I know he left this world with so many unanswered questions and that is what really hurts me to this day....Steve you never talk about your side of that family why is that?