My Granddad Loucks (aka G-Rock, Jungle Jerry, El Presidente, Raldo, Raldman) passed away this past Veteran's Day, November 11, 2011. He'd been suffering from Alzheimer's for a few years and was ready to move on. This was one of the first 'losses' I've experienced in my family, and though I felt like it was beyond his time since he'd been uncomfortable for so long, it is never easy to lose someone you love. I cried the day my Dad called me, especially since it was Veteran's Day and all the cute old men were passing out flowers at the grocery store. There were plenty of happy tears too.
A week later we held a funeral for him in Cedaredge, Colorado - where he and his wife grew up and grew old. Cedaredge is one of my most favorite places and one of the most beautiful I've ever been to. It was nice to go back and visit a place with so much memory and meaning to our family.
All of my brothers were able to make it to the funeral. It was nice to have all of our immediate family together for a few days. We played games, and went to my Grandparents house to hike the over-grown trail and run through the cherry orchard.
Granddad's funeral was amazing. I know that may sound weird, but it truly was a celebration of his life. The congregation was crying and laughing and it was great. After the eulogy they opened the mic for anyone to come share memories or thoughts. Both my parents, my uncle, all four of my brothers and myself and several others got up to share our favorite memories and things we'd learned from our Father, Grandfather, Uncle, and friend.
A common theme to his life was how great of a worker he was. He worked from a child in the Depression to a young man serving his country to a husband and father of three to an extremely successful petroleum geologist. He knew how to work hard and taught each of us to work hard too.
Another recurring theme, especially from my immediate family was that he and his wife brought generations and hundreds of people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He and my grandmother joined the church in Canada when my father was about 3 years old. Because of their faith in Christ they raised a family in the church which led to my mother being baptized when she was 19. Now they have 5 grandkids, 4 of which have served full-time missions, that have families that are active in the church. Several years ago we made a map showing my grandparents how many lives they'd blessed (at least the ones we could count) because of their decision to join the Church. It's amazing how one decision can effect the world!
Granddad's passing was a very spiritual experience for our family and I will always cherish it. I love my Granddad so much and am grateful for the numerous blessings he's helped me to acquire. I know he is happy and comfortable now and that he is back at work!
Love you G-rock!
Some things that represented his life - pictures, his cowboy boots, handrawn maps, rocks, and samples of the oil from the fields he discovered.
My four brothers, Dad and Uncle with beautiful Grand Mesa in the background.
My Grandma's twin brother presenting her with the flag that covered her husand's casket
So fitting that Jaxon was playing with rocks at the cemetery.
Four generations of 'Loucks'
Playing in the cherry orchard
Preston with his boots and his great-granddad's boots.
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