Gary A Lataxes

I have been looking for the words to describe how I feel. Today I am trying not to reflect on the loss I feel but rather everything I have gained. Biology, nor blood means family. Family is so much more than that. When I think of my family, there are so many that aren’t biologically my family. I have said many of time that when I was a small child and told my grandfather was my “step-grandfather,” I would picture all the grandfathers out there standing on steps and mine standing on the step above them bc he was perfect to me and a step above than all the others. You were never seen through those small child’s eyes as being perfect. You were not a step above all the other dads to me. You were not perfect. You were just you. You were an extra dad. You were there when my other wasn’t. You were there to love me, support me and do the same for my kids. Saying “step dad” doesn’t mean the same thing to me anymore. In many ways it takes away from the importance of my relationship with you. You were my dad just as much as my biological dad. You were a bonus dad, not a step. I was given a family that was not completely the one I was born to but the one I was blessed enough to have. While as of yesterday, I am incomplete and part of me is gone, I am forever grateful for the love I received and for you. You are missed today and will be tomorrow and each day that follows. I know you are looking down upon us with Brighton in your arms. I hurt not having you but am so happy that he has you now. Klaus and I love you to Jesus’s house and back.

Betty, Take comfort that you were my brother’s love and he was a happy man. You and your kids loved him and for that I am grateful. ??

You were more than a brother to us, you helped our mom raise us when our dad could not. Through the years there were times we did not speak. Life would always seem to get in the way. However, I always knew I could pick up the phone and you would be there to pick up where we left off. Today my heart aches but I take comfort in knowing you looking down on us. You have always been my hero, my protector and I your number one fan. This is not goodbye because I know I will see you in my dreams and one day we meet again. To Betty, you truly were the love of his life. You and your children stood by his side until the bitter end. There are no words to describe my gratitude to you and your family for all of the love that surrounded him.

Mr Gary was such a wonderful neighbor and a wonderful friend he was so loving and would do anything to help someone, so glad we had the pleasure to be your neighbor, Betty and family we have been praying for you guys and if you need anything truly we’re always here, we love you mrs Betty but what a wonderful place he is right now,

Gary, you my only brother that I ever have. You there for us 3 girls (sisters). For everything you did in our life. You are a good person in and out. Our life goes on. I enjoyed phone call every now & then. You are a good to your children, stepchildren, all grandchildren (on both). Betty, I know my brother love you so much. I saw it in his eyes went he married you. I have a poem for you. IN MY POCKET I have memories in my pocket. They rattle among the change. My memories of you are treasures. I carry wherever I go. They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole. They give me comfort when I am alone. Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there. But of all the treasures I have, it's the memories of YOU that are the most precious. Amen.