This year on March 7, Koko Bean's other grandfather, my daddy, went Home. It was a day before his 34th wedding anniversary. Grandpa Dave was an amazing, hard-working, and compassionate man. It's amazing how we never knew he would meet people on the street, witness to them, and open his heart and his wallet. We know these things now, as people have been approaching my mother, telling her how generous my dad was. In order to represent him the best way I know how, I have copied and pasted what I wrote, and presented at his celebration of life.
This room of people represents my dad. My dad loved people,
especially all of you. We are grateful for your presence here today and also
for your presence in his life. He cared deeply for each and every one of you.
Every person in this room has a story to tell about my dad.
I have really enjoyed reminiscing with you all on the antics that were Dave
Kersey. His sense of humor and wit kept us all on our toes. Sometimes you knew
he was joking and sometimes, he would say it so well, and with such great
delivery, you weren’t sure. Then you would see his lips pucker from trying not
to laugh himself. I’m pretty sure you could write a book on Dave Kerseyisms.
Dad shared not only his dry wit, but his love for sports
with my brother and me. When he was a young boy, his uncle Jim used to take him
to St. Louis Cardnials’ games. Dad had his favorite teams in baseball,
basketball, and football. However, Dad was such a bandwagon fan, it wasn’t even
funny. If you were to look at his closet, you would never know which team was
his favorite. He always said he wouldn’t want to work for a company that didn’t
make any money, so why root for a team that didn’t win. Despite that motto, he
still loved his Chiefs. My aunt reminded me of how he’d call her in Kansas
City, on a day the chiefs were playing out of town, tell her he was sitting in
the parking lot. He said he got a great deal on the tickets. And then ask where
everyone was. He even had a ceremonial burning of the chiefs’ schedule after
they suffered yet another disappointing season.
Speaking of sports, Dad taught me a lot about playing them
myself. He taught me how to swing a bat, how to kick a ball and how to dodge
whatever he kicked or threw at me. Let’s just say, mom had to keep the band-aids
handy. This also applied to sledding and riding a bike.
Even though activities with Dad usually ended in bruises,
tears and sometimes blood, I still couldn’t wait to spend time with him. He
would come home from his long day on the route, cook an awesome meal for our
family, and he would still make time to coach us in sports. He was full of life
and full of energy. In everything he
did, he proudly gave everything he had.
I never thought I’d be doing this this early, but it is
apparent God needed him sooner than we intended. And while it’s not fair, and
there are times when I can’t understand, or my brother can’t understand or my
mother, and grandfather can’t understand; we must believe God said, “David, you
did it. Your job here is done. Come home son.” He never wanted us to cry when he left us. He
always said to celebrate.
So Dad, that’s just what we’re going to do. We’re going to
celebrate your life and remember all the good times we had. We will no longer
worry about your pain. We will no longer worry about doctors and hospitals. As
the song goes, those places and those faces were getting old. Don’t worry.
Every time we fire up a grill, every time we hear Frank Zappa, Weird Al or a
really bad Sean Connery impression, we’ll smile, and pretend to appreciate it
as much as you did. Your amazing spirit and your Faith will live on through
your children. We couldn’t have asked
for a better dad. And as for Mom- the biggest blessing you gave us, was falling
in love with her. When she cries, we’ll help dry her tears and when she laughs,
we’ll laugh with her. As you are living out your eternal life in Heaven now, I
must remind you of the one rule you enforced upon us- NO HAVING FUN!!! Just kidding.
Proverbs 20:7 The
righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!
This couldn’t be more true. Thank you Dad. We
love you.
