In Loving Memory of Roger William Loudon

Thank you for your faithfulness to me and our family. When I think of hard, laborious work, I will always think of you. It really defined you and became evident in what you were able to accomplish and pass on. I did not have to worry about getting a job right out of high school. Nor did I have to worry about working my way through college. Once I graduated college and was married, you continued to love and support me, Bill, and our children in so many ways. Your love and care for us was constant.

Thank you for your love and dedication to Luke and Michaela. You connected with both kids with your humor and childlike behaviors (ahem, wink). We have a video of you playing hide and seek with toddler Luke through that old Mississippi house. You on your hands and knees crawling around, harrumphing….Luke squealing with delight and giggles. Michaela quickly caught on to your humor, drawing a picture of you “outstanding in your field”. I'm grateful they both have innumerable happy memories of their Grampa Roger.

I am grateful for the example you set in your interest in and care for people. Dad, I honestly think you beat out Grandpa Loudon with your ability to nonchalantly walk up to complete strangers and strike up a conversation. It was easy to see how most people felt that initial unease that would quickly melt into a smile and relaxed posture to their own surprise. You set a fine example of how to love your neighbor. Not perfect for sure, but further along than many of us.

You and Mom both modeled a love and care for nature, especially trees. When I visit home, I walk and walk under those high limbed trees, looking at and loving them for their stately beauty and strength. I am reminded of strength that you grew and that, no doubt, grew you. And me. You planted and cared for 100's of trees throughout your life both on the home place and in the Timber. You appreciated the multi-faceted value of trees, regardless of the time it takes to grow a tree. (A lifetime.)

I am grateful for your artistry. I was in high school when you developed a passion for stained glass. I recall the hours you put into your careful, detailed work. The gorgeous lamp shades you made would have caught Tiffany’s eye, I am sure of. You recognized beauty, lasting beauty, and that says something in modernity’s disposable culture. You were an artist specializing in trees, their beautiful form, each one's unique wood, and the beautiful furniture you and Tim made from lumber that came from the Timber.

I believe your humor, unique as it was (sometimes base…I can hear you laughing now) and yes, sometimes taken too far was yet a gift. It helped you connect with people. It helped you manage the stress of life. I like to think it often helped others with bearing life’s challenges. I think I liked it best when we enjoyed humor together. I treasure the time we shared watching Cheers and Newhart in the 80s.

Thank you for modeling responsibility. You never shrank back from anything that would require sheer muscle, sweat, and discomfort. I learned to delay gratification. I learned not to need brand new, latest, anything. I learned to value things that money could not buy. You were a person of your word. You felt a responsibility to your community and country serving as a commissioned officer in the Army and serving in Italy for 3 years during the Vietnam era.

Thank you for teaching me to value and uphold commitments in relationships. We could all use more of this at this time in history. I know it grieved you deeply to see split relationships wherever you found them. I know you wanted them healed. I believe you will one day get your wish. I have faith in One who sees further than we do.

Thank you for being you. Dad, you were just yourself. You did not put on airs. You did not seek to impress anyone. (This may have caused some tension with mom and your clothes…wink.) You were one of a kind. Imperfect in many ways, but one of the best!