In Memory


                                        This past Saturday August 7, 1999 I attended the funeral of a very
                                        dear and close friend that I shall never forget, I cherish the
                                        memory of this special person.

                                        I met Rodney in 1990 and we quickly became friends. Now for many
                                        the first thing they noticed about Rodney upon first meeting of
                                        course was the missing right arm with the hook attached to his
                                        prosthesis. After knowing Rodney for 10 minutes that faded away and
                                        the things that stood out were his laugh, his smiling blue eyes and
                                        a heart the size of this big ole state of Texas.

                                        Rodney had been injured in a farming accident quite a few years
                                        back and while some may have become bitter or given up...not this
                                        man. There was never anything that he could not do, or would not
                                        try and usually do better than a lot of people around him.

                                        In 1992 I began working with Rodney on the ambulance service here
                                        in this west Texas town we call home and if anyone ever had a
                                        doubt, I would be so thankful always to see Rodney arriving, for
                                        he was one of the best EMT's around. He had such a kind and caring
                                        heart and would go far out of his way to help anyone who may need
                                        it, putting himself out at times to do so, never with a complaint
                                        but always with a smile.

                                        Last year Rodney found out he had cancer, now for many this would
                                        be a double blow...after his earlier accident in life, but I never
                                        saw Rodney during this time that he wasn't always asking after
                                        others, giving a big hug and smiling with never a complaint. This
                                        strong and courageous man lost his battle last week and many came
                                        to mourn him this past Saturday. I shall always miss him, but have
                                        a lot of wonderful memories and know that he is now free of any
                                        of the pain that he never once complained of. To you my dear
                                        friend Rodney you were truly an angel walking amongst us and I
                                        shall miss You so.




My friend and co-worker, Rodney


He Only Takes The Best
God saw he was getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around him
and whispered "Come with Me"
With tear filled eyes we watched him
suffer and fade away
Although we loved him deeply,
we could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best

Amazing Grace