With Love, Your Wife Teresa
God blessed me with the most caring, loving, kind, honest, considerate, and compassionate husband and friend. It wouldn't be true if I said my heart isn't hurting because I miss you so much already, Larry D. Despite the pain, I must thank God for bringing us together. You taught me so much, both spiritually and mentally. You were patient and thoughtful. When I think about it, I realize I never heard you say anything negative about anyone.
In your later years, as you began to suffer from your illness, I think about all the pain you endured day and night. It hurt me deeply. For years, I couldn't bring myself to ask the Lord to take you because the thought of life without you was too painful to consider. But in the last few days of your life, I realized it would be selfish to ask God to keep you here, given all the pain you were going through. Larry D., I know you held on for me and the girls, but as we told you hours before you transitioned, we will be okay.
I can’t find the words to express the pain I feel. All I know is that I miss and love you, but I will be alright. I promised you that I would be alright. I am so thankful to God that your teachings and those of others played a significant part in my spiritual growth. So, despite the pain, I know God is good and able.
Larry D., I am grateful that we had 47 years together. You were a great husband, father, friend, counselor, and a good man who loved his family and, most importantly, God.
I’ll miss your ‘good mornings' and you and Leo (our dog) standing at the door, seeing me off to work every morning.
While I won’t be able to call you from your office to the front room to ask you the simplest questions or tell you a quick story, you will always be in my heart, and for that reason, you will always be with me.
With Love, Your Daughters Erica + Amber
ERICA
Instead of asking, “Why God?” I say, “Thank you, God.”
Daddy—Your health journey has been anything but easy. For years, you defied the odds, living past doctor’s predictions—because ultimately, God has the final say.
It didn’t take your transition for me to realize I have an amazing father; I’ve always known. From the times you selflessly put our wants before your own, listened to me for hours during both my good and not-so-good news, and offered thoughtful advice, challenging me to pray and trust God. Through you, I learned to be my own person and challenge the status quo.
I thank God for allowing you to be with us this long. Daddy, I haven’t lived without you, and I still won’t. It just looks different now. I won’t hear your voice, but I’ll still talk to you. Instead of coming to you—possibly way too much—asking, “Daddy, what do you think?” I’ll rely on what you’ve taught me these 41 years of my life. And although I won’t see your face, you will forever be in my heart.
I did everything I could to help ‘fix’ your health issues, and for years, it made a difference. I believed we could overcome them this time too—but again, God has the final say. And because I know we did all we could, I find comfort in the belief that God allowed you to come Home, knowing we would be okay.
I know it won’t be easy. In fact, I’m sure there will be many challenging days ahead; but you taught us to have unwavering faith in God, and I am confident that it is this faith that will sustain us.
Thank you for always believing in me. I will continue making you proud. I love you forever and always — Your daughter, Erica
AMBER
Dear Daddy,
You were more than a father to me. You were a living example, a guide, and someone I could call to talk about anything, from basketball and our favorite TV shows to conversations about life’s past, present, and future. You taught me to be self-sufficient by instilling in me the confidence, logic, and practicality needed to achieve my goals. You were there for me in my highest moments, sharing my joy, and in my lowest, providing strength and support. Your unwavering support and wise advice shaped who I am today.
I will always cherish the memories we shared and be grateful for having the best daddy I could ever think about asking for. As I continue my life without your physical presence, I will strive daily to do what I know you would want me to: Be grateful for what I had, instead of focusing on what I lost.
I love you always and forever — Your daughter, Amber
