The Eulogy

3/12/10

My mom and aunt started this "top 10 reasons we love Ron" list a few nights back so this is what I took my inspiration from.  I didn't give them all the reasons, but gave a sort of amended version.

1.  He was a man of integrity.  If he told you he was going to do something, he just did it.  He kept his word.  We could always count on him.  He would babysit for me, or go wait for the plumber at my house.

2.  Dad never met anyone that he didn't like right off the bat.  He always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.

3.  He was a great father, husband and grandfather.  He was one of those dads that was there after school.  We had family dinner together every night.
Whatever we were into, he was into.  In middle school, I played basketball.  He put a BB goal in our driveway so I could practice.  My brother played golf so dad took him to the driving range.  He was always the little league coach for his t-ball teams.
My dad was an amazing grandfather.  He was so excited to have grandkids.  Angelo loved him so much.  My dad would let him "drive" in his car forever out in the garage, pushing all the buttons and honking the horn.  He even wore a pink shirt the day Lola was born.
Angelo broke his leg when he was 13 months old and when we went to get it casted - Big Ron just appeared.  He always knew when he was needed and he was always there. Lola went through a stage where she wouldn't go to anyone - but she always went to him.  She saw him so much that she was comfortable around him.

4.  He spoiled my mom and said YES more than he said NO.  Every house they had - she always wanted a pool.  He gave in everytime and was her "pool boy".  All my mom had to say to get him to do something was say, "Oh come on Ronnie..." and he would say YES!

5.  He was such a great partner to my mom.  He loved to do projects with her.  He would help her texture and paint rooms, work in the yard and help her clean the house.  But he didn't really ever cook.  Maybe grill steaks or make eggs and bacon.  But my mom did the cooking... every night.

6.  He made us LAUGH.  He had a great sense of humor.  My mom would be bossing us around - trying to get the house cleaned for something - and when she turned her back, he'd look at me and give me the "yes boss salute".
My favorite memory of growing up was that he played "BAR" with me in the pool... (odd game to play with your 6 year old, I know).  But we would laugh forever.  and I would make him do it again and again.  Now we've passed on this tradition with Angelo... and he goes crazy laughing every time too.

7.  He was a great vacation planner.  He got excited to search places for us to go.  We were lucky that every summer we went to the beach and some winters we went skiing.  He drove to Lubbock one time and picked up Bryan and they went snowboarding together in NM.  What a cool dad!  One of my favorites was a super cool house we stayed at in St. Martin.  I always hoped once he got well that we could go back there. 

8.  He worked hard for our family.  He was up and out by 4:30am for 20 years.  I know that when we needed something - money for school - he always came through.  He paid for both our colleges with hard work and thanks to him we have no student loans to pay back.

We find peace and comfort knowing that my dad is no longer suffering.  The pain is gone and he is looking down on us now.  I urge you to hug your loved ones tonight and tell them how much you love them.  Which was another great thing about my dad - he always hugged us and told us he loved us everytime we left him.  because you never know when you won't get that opportunity.

RIP Ronnie Burkett
January 26, 1945- March 9, 2010
I miss you every day more and more.