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As I see you lying in your bed, fighting the fight of your life, I saw you smile and say “this isn’t good Steve” and you started to tell me how proud you were of me. We got interrupted at that point, but I was kind of glad because I don’t think I could have told you how I felt without getting all choked up. So, I am writing my thoughts down so you can read them and know how I think when it comes to you. Here it goes Buddy……….

1. Dad, I Love You with all my heart. In fact, as a kid, watching you with Mom made me realize what love means. Luckily, like you, I found the woman of my dreams also and I treat her with the same love and respect that you show Mom everyday of your life.

2. I think of your compassion that you have. I try to be as good as you in this regard, but am not quite as good as you are at this. I will NEVER forget when I was around 10 and I broke a window playing catch with you. Rather than yell and scream at me- you took me to the hardware store and bought 2 panes of glass. We put it in and you wanted to play more catch. You broke the next window on purpose to show me it was OK.

3. You are the toughest son of a gun I ever knew. You took on any situation with vigor. It didn’t matter what the cause or the calling- you would figure out a way to beat it.

4. You are perfectly critical. You and Mom balance each other out here very well. You NEVER let me be satisfied. You make me aware I have done well and made you proud but that I can still do even better. I remember when I hit 3 homeruns in a little league game and yet when I got home, your first comment was, “Why did you swing at that pitch over your head?” I realize now, you raised me so well it was almost by design.

5. You have taught me to be honest. Wow- what a great trait to give me. If the world was blessed with more honest people like you- we could fix most problems.

6. You are always my role model. I want to be just like you. In fact, as I look back, if I can be half of the man you are- I have done better than most.

7. You have always been a Father and a best friend to me. I can always tell you the truth. We may not totally agree, but we listen to each other. I spent so many years trying to prove you wrong about things and then it hit me---- I know he is always right. So I listen and absorb everything you have to give.

8. I admire you. Your attitude with cancer is unbelievable. Where most would feel like a victim, you still smile and carry on normal. You amaze me partner. I also look at you and Mom’s marriage and think- wow- the “Perfect” couple. You are a model husband to Mom and I want to be like that too. Kim and I pattern our marriage after you and Mom and it is as good as it gets and I have you to thank for that.

9. I watched you as a caregiver. Mom was very ill and you were her knight in shining armor. You never let her give up, made tons of sacrifices and never gave up. I know it wore you out Pops but damn if you didn’t fix it all and make the world better. I know Mom appreciated you but I want you to know- We all noticed.

10. When I was a kid, I used to hear kids wish someone else was their Dad. I want you to know, I NEVER thought that and yet, I bet, those kids wished they had YOU as their Dad. You always make me so proud to be your son.

11. You have always been the Rock in my life. When I need guidance- I look to you. When I need to see how to react- I look to you. I make a lot of decisions in my life and on the tough ones- I always ask myself- how would Dad handle this.

12. As far as values and morals, you and Mom lead your life the way all should. I grew up with those same morals and values and think I have been good to most all people. I want you to know, Zack and Mal are raised on those very same thoughts and actions you instilled in me as a kid.

13. Basically Pops- I just want you to know I love you and am proud of you for how you lead your life. You have affected everyone around you and when you eventually leave this world- you and your style will never be forgotten. I could have tried to say all this but never could have not because I was afraid to, but because I am to emotional to speak this long when I think of all these great thoughts. So….in closing- know that I love you partner and keep fighting this Cancer so that you can get out and to see the kids grow up.

The above letter was shared with my Father shortly before his death. He passed on Mar. 28,2003. As I reflect back now, I know you left this world a lot better place. I also know I really miss you with all my heart. I do thank God tho, that he will not allow you to suffer anymore. You fought a great fight, but now it is time for you to rest. Be assured, your job on earth was well done and we will take great care of Mom. You were the greatest man I ever knew Pops. As we put you to rest, I will always remember your great laugh and what kind of man you were. I will say so long, because it is never good bye. We will meet again buddy, I Love You, your son, Steve.

Harold L. (Hal) Murry, 70 of Chanute, Kansas passed away Mar. 28, 2003 at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, KS.

Mr. Murry was born May 8, 1932 in Lyons, KS the son of John & Hazel (Reagan) Murry. He graduated from Concordia High School 1950, attended Hutchinson Jr. College on a basketball scholarship.

Mr. Murry enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951, during the Korean conflict and separated 1955, with an honorable discharge.

He married Nancy Lantz on Aug. 24, 1952 in Tacoma, WA. The couple moved to Grand Island, NE in 1955. Mr. Murry was employed at the Commercial National Bank as vice president/loan officer and later operated and owned Powell Claim Service, until his retirement in 1998. The couple then came to Chanute, KS and loved to attend most of the baseball, basketball, volleyball and football games. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren participate in all of the sports.

He was a member of the American Legion in Grand Island, NE and a life member of the Optimist Club also in Grand Island.

Survivors:
wife, Nancy Murry, Chanute, KS; 1 son, Steve Murry, Chanute, Kansas and his wife Kim; 1 daughter, Suzan Murry, Grandberry, TX; 4 grandchildren, Stephanie Otto and Shannon Otto both of Lincoln, NE and Zack Murry and Mallori Murry, both of Chanute, KS

He was preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside service will be held 1:00 pm on Monday, Mar. 31, 2003 at the Memorial Park Cemetery on east 14th Street in Chanute, KS with Rev. Richard Qualls officiating. Friends may come to the funeral home to pay their respects on Saturday, 8:00am - 8:00 pm and on Sunday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to NCCC Panther Baseball Team and may be left at Johnson Mortuary.

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Wow, what to say? You had a tough life and yet you made the most of it. It started with polio as a small child, then you lost two brothers before you even hit 40. Then your parents passed and you had major open heart surgery. Next came emphysema, then you found out you had diabetes. The worst was still to come, Dad passed away. At that point, your heart was broken. You had made it all through this stuff and took it all on knowing you had a man that was there for you everyday who loved you more than life itself. After Dad was gone, your smile disappeared. You were scared daily, you were anxious, life was no fun anymore. You hung on, but against your will. You were a fighter and had no choice. Finally, on July 12, 2006, your life is going to be great again. You get to join Dad. We knew you were not happy from the day that Dad passed until the day that you passed. But now, I bet you are smiling from ear to ear and how I miss that smile I saw for years growing up. Hardest thing I ever had to do was to put you in the nursing home. We knew that was not where you wanted to be, but we also knew there was no way you could possibly take care of yourself. It seems weird to me that we talked almost daily for 45 years and now both of my parents are gone. But, knowing you are with Dad again, I will gladly give up those calls and visits knowing you will be happy again. I know you will still be watching me, Kim and the kids on a daily basis. I know you will find many people in Heaven to talk to also. That was the one thing you were great about---TALKING. You didn't care who it was, you were going to tell them how proud you were of your grandkids. They all knew this, and even though it may have embarrassed them, they loved it just as I did when I was a kid and it was me that you were bragging about. I have never met a person that was as proud of their grandkids as much as you were. That was a great trait you had Mom. I will miss you a ton, you know how much I loved you, but I almost find myself relieved today as you passed. I have a sense of peace knowing you two are together again. Kim and I were talking and we know Dad was waiting at the gates for you with a huge smile and that gruff laugh saying "what took you so long". That will be the first time you have ever been speechless. You never met a stranger. You talked to anyone and everyone and usually about someone in the family. You were always so very proud of us all.

As I sit and reflect, you always had our meals cooked without complaining even though you may not have liked what we wanted, or no matter how tired you may have been. You always tried to give me cash when Dad wasn't looking. You would NEVER miss a ballgame no matter how far or what time it was. You would sacrifice many things so us kids could have anything we wanted. I still remember my first Nebraska football game that Dad got tickets for you and him, come gameday, you made sure I went with him instead of yourself. You always were helping other people. I still think about how much you helped Dad in his final days, even though you knew the ending, you never gave up hope. I still remember you writing a term paper for me in college because I was so busy with baseball (by the way, we got an "A") You always came through in true MOM fashion. You were the best Mom one could ever have and I appreciated all you did. You loved baseball and loved watching Zack's games. Kind of ironic that the last time we were together we were watching the homerun derby. Seems fitting doesn't it?

You led a great life and handled everything the way it should have been. You gave us kids love and we never had to worry that you would always be there for us. It was hard watching you suffer but in the end, you will suffer no more and you never saw it coming. You do not have to worry anymore about how you will die, how lonely you are, how sick you feel, none of it matters anymore, you went out your way and now you can rest. Do me a favor, kick Dad in the butt for me while you are up there. I love you Mom, I miss you already. Rest in peace.

Memorial contributions may be made to the NCCC Panther Baseball Team and left at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.

The Mother
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is
this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard.
And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But
the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not
believe that anything could be better than these years. So she
played with her children, and gathered flowers for
them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and
the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,
"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was
dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother
drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said,
"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and
the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.
But at all times she said to the children," A little patience and we are there."
So the children climbed, and when they reached the top
they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up
at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my
children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage.
Today, I I've given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened
the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped
and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.
"And the children looked and saw above the clouds
an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the
darkness. And that night the Mother said,
"This is the best day of all, for
I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and
the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong, and walked with
courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her,
for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,
and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And
mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end
is better than the beginning, for my children can
walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us,
Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates
closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her
but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She
is a living presence......."

Your Mother is always with you.... She's the whisper
of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand
on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives
inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from, your first home; and
she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love
and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can
separate you.

David R. Circo
dcirco@taparch.com

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