First off let me start by telling you about him. He was an amazing man, uncle, counselor, father to his son David, Jr., brother, fiance, and son. He worked with troubled youth at Benchmark, a last chance house, and then went onto be the CEO of one of these last chance facilities in Florida. About a year ago he was diagnosed with ALS, which is fatal. He had to have a emergency tracheotomy and then was transferred from Florida to Utah to be closer to family. He was doing much better and was recovering very quick from the tracheotomy so the hospital released him to go live with Shannon, Jon's sister, there in Herriman, UT. He was at Shannon's house for only one night and then next morning he was having a hard time breathing so Shannon and Tami, David's fiance, went to suction out his lungs so he could breathe and the machine malfunctioned so they called the ambulance and by the time they got him to the hospital he had been without oxygen about 15 minutes and he was in a deep coma.
The doctors did tests but he didn't have any brain waves other than the seizure waves, so the family let him go and unplugged the life support machines. When he went into the coma his eyes were wide open but as soon as they unplugged him his eyes shut and he died 15 minutes later with family surrounding him on Sept. 29, 2008.
Jon, Andrew & I flew to Utah for the viewing and funeral which was on Oct. 3, 2008. It was a hard thing to go through but the gospel truths of families being together forever was so comforting and brought much peace. I am so thankful that we were all able to be there together.
I am so appreciative that I got to know such a great person as David. He did so much good and helped so many people. He never gave up on anyone and loved unconditionally. Even at the very end, when he was in soo much pain he never got upset or angry he just relied on the Lord and left a great legacy of love and service to others, especially his family who he loved very much.
On great blessing that came from this sadness was that we got to see family members we hadn't seen in a long time, like Aunt Bobbi from the Fackrell side of the family. She loved seeing Andrew and Andrew by the end had warmed up to her too.
Andrew is putting a rose on David's coffin.
Then I said my farewells to David.
Andrew wanted to put another rose on the coffin so of course being the great dad the Jon is, he helped Andrew.
3 comments:
I know that my father would be so proud of what extraordinarily great parents both of you have become. I know that he is proud of you, Jon, for the strength, determination, and perseverance that you have employed in your pursuit of becoming a private chiropractor. He is proud of you, Lexi, for the strength that you have in the face of adversity, and in both your willingness and success at continuing your education and mothering such a beautiful young boy. And he is especially proud of Andrew, who I know that my father esteems as a radiant testimony of the strength and righteous nature of your loving family. If my dad were here to say anything to the three of you, it would be to teach that young man the good news of the gospel and to always be there for your son no matter what tragedies he brings upon himself, just as my father did for me. I tend to think that he would close by saying "Be still and know that I am." You are loved.
So sad to hear this, It is sad to see loved ones go, especially when they are as neat as he seems to have been.
I am glad to have found your blog through Gwen! Hope you are all doing well.
UM, HELLO!?!!?! ARE YOU ALIVE!?!!?? Why won't you call us back? When are y'all coming up for Christmas?
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