My Forever Love
My Forever Love
At five years old, when his mother got him all dressed for this photo, he said "Ain't my cute"
At five years old, when his mother got him all dressed for this photo, he said "Ain't my cute"
Jay's Stepfather, Jodie Stafford, and mother Doris
Jay's Stepfather, Jodie Stafford, and mother Doris
His half brother, Earl, and stepbrother, Jerry
His half brother, Earl, and stepbrother, Jerry
His sister Pat in the middle and half siblings, Frank, Doris and Reatha
His sister Pat in the middle and half siblings, Frank, Doris and Reatha
We started dating at the end of our junior year of high school in 1969
We started dating at the end of our junior year of high school in 1969
I always felt that we would grow old together
I always felt that we would grow old together
After graduation he entered the Marine Corps and was promoted to Corporal within two years
After graduation he entered the Marine Corps and was promoted to Corporal within two years
He received the Rifle Sharpshooter award, the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal
He received the Rifle Sharpshooter award, the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal
We were married as soon as he returned from Viet Nam, February 19, 1972
We were married as soon as he returned from Viet Nam, February 19, 1972
First daughter, Andrea Laurie, was born October 22, 1974
First daughter, Andrea Laurie, was born October 22, 1974
Second daughter, Brandy Allison, was born January 18, 1977.
Second daughter, Brandy Allison, was born January 18, 1977.
He was an ever present dad
He was an ever present dad
He adored his daughters and was always very proud of them
He adored his daughters and was always very proud of them
We shared many vacations together such as camping in the Smokies
We shared many vacations together such as camping in the Smokies
I loved swimming with dad even though I would be terrified when he played the “shark”!
I loved swimming with dad even though I would be terrified when he played the “shark”!
On a Cruise
On a Cruise
Always Daddy’s little girl. At least one of them.
Always Daddy’s little girl. At least one of them.
He was the “Wind Beneath My Wings”
He was the “Wind Beneath My Wings”
More family, with my sister, nephew, mother, aunt and uncle, sons-in-law Denny and Tim and his best friend, Dan
More family, with my sister, nephew, mother, aunt and uncle, sons-in-law Denny and Tim and his best friend, Dan
We danced at my wedding to “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
We danced at my wedding to “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
Grandson, Timothy Eldred, born March 2, 1995
Grandson, Timothy Eldred, born March 2, 1995
Granddaughter, Micaela Laurie, born November 15, 1999
Granddaughter, Micaela Laurie, born November 15, 1999
Grandson, Bryce Nathaniel, born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2005
Grandson, Bryce Nathaniel, born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2005
Grandson, Tate Christopher, born January 4, 2007
Grandson, Tate Christopher, born January 4, 2007
He was a great grandfather
He was a great grandfather
He loved each of his Grandchildren dearly
He loved each of his Grandchildren dearly
When he went to work for Tampa Tractor in 1979 it began a long career in the construction equipment industry
When he went to work for Tampa Tractor in 1979 it began a long career in the construction equipment industry
He loved his job (most of the time) and loved sharing what he had learned with others
He loved his job (most of the time) and loved sharing what he had learned with others
He always wanted his customers to trust him and rely on him for all their equipment needs
He always wanted his customers to trust him and rely on him for all their equipment needs
We attended many conventions and Christmas parties related to the organizations he belonged to
We attended many conventions and Christmas parties related to the organizations he belonged to
And enjoyed many friends like Mitch and friend Maggie
And enjoyed many friends like Mitch and friend Maggie
Sal
Sal
Jullie and Cheryl
Jullie and Cheryl
His love for travel started early in his career and later in life he could boast that he had set foot in 25 states and 10 other countries
His love for travel started early in his career and later in life he could boast that he had set foot in 25 states and 10 other countries
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Cruise to the Bahamas
Cruise to the Bahamas
Maui, Hawaii - He invited my Mom along on several family vacations
Maui, Hawaii - He invited my Mom along on several family vacations
St Andrews golf course, Scotland, October 1996
St Andrews golf course, Scotland, October 1996
Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon, on a rafting trip
Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon, on a rafting trip
Salmon fishing from Stuart Island, BC, Canada, August 2004
Salmon fishing from Stuart Island, BC, Canada, August 2004
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver, Canada
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Georgia mountains with Bryce and Tate
Georgia mountains with Bryce and Tate
If I can find a love like theirs...
If I can find a love like theirs...
With three of the grandkids at Lego Land
With three of the grandkids at Lego Land
He loved adventures, such as white water rafting
He loved adventures, such as white water rafting
Scuba diving
Scuba diving
Boating in Georgia
Boating in Georgia
Ballooning
Ballooning
He loved to read
He loved to read
He loved the beach
He loved the beach
with daughters at Ft Desoto
with daughters at Ft Desoto
also Ft Desoto with grandson Timothy and daughter Andi
also Ft Desoto with grandson Timothy and daughter Andi
Just us
Just us
He loved football
He loved football
He loved family get togethers
He loved family get togethers
With Brandy and Micaela
With Brandy and Micaela
Our last Christmas with Andi, Timothy, nephew Ben, Kim, Denny, Brandy, Jay, my sister Elaine, me, Tate, Micaela and Bryce
Our last Christmas with Andi, Timothy, nephew Ben, Kim, Denny, Brandy, Jay, my sister Elaine, me, Tate, Micaela and Bryce
He "loved to hate golf"
He "loved to hate golf"
Watching the Pros at Innisbrook with golf buddy and best friend, Dan
Watching the Pros at Innisbrook with golf buddy and best friend, Dan
He loved me
He loved me
He had a wonderful since of humor that lasted till the end
He had a wonderful since of humor that lasted till the end
I don't think a day went by that he didn't make me laugh
I don't think a day went by that he didn't make me laugh
I can't believe he's really gone!
I can't believe he's really gone!
I miss him so much!
I miss him so much!
I felt that he held on to life until April 1st so that we would have one more thing to smile about!
I felt that he held on to life until April 1st so that we would have one more thing to smile about!
I'll Love him forever!
I'll Love him forever!