[I received requests to post the eulogy delivered at my Father's funeral. So, please find my thoughts and feelings expressed below. 'Celebrating the Life of Harold Aubrey "Sandy" Carr -- 7/23/1926 - 1/6/2015'..........Sandra]
Dear Daddy. From Your Girl, Sandra.
This is for: My Daddy, your Heart & Soul, your Dad,
your Grandfather, and your Great-Grandfather.
Harold Aubrey Carr, aka Sandy, was
much more than an obituary could convey to the public. Knowing this, I would like to tell all of you
here today about the many roles our Dad played so well during his life.
I have expressed my love for Daddy
many times over the years – publically and privately. I am counting on God to let him see and hear
me one more time.
The first thing that comes to mind is
music. He loved music: Big Band, Frank, Jo Stafford, Tommy Dorsey
and Glenn Miller. I was singing this
music at a very young age. I loved
it. He would put my little feet on top
of his and dance. Did you know he was a
great dancer? I loved to come home when
he was having his Nitro High School Class Reunion. He and his class mates could dance like no
other generation could.
I loved going with him when he taught
and coached at Buffalo High School. I
started learning about football, basketball and baseball before I started
school. I loved watching him in his
Buffalo t-shirt and Kangaroo boots. I
got to know his students and athletes.
One of the great testaments to my Daddy’s years as a teacher and coach
were all “his boys” who repeatedly came to visit him over the years. “Coach” was always home for “his boys.” He took care of them beyond the classroom and
playing field. Those of you who are here
today, who belong in this category, please know that he truly loved and cared for
you.
The ‘60s came along. Daddy move to George Washington Junior High
where he taught and coached. Yes, I had
him for a class. Yes, I earned that “A”
– believe me. He was always chaperoning
dances and movies in the gym. Mike and I
suffered dearly with that situation.
Dad graduated from Marshall with his
Master’s Degree in 1966 – his ceremony was the morning after my Senior
Prom. He would then go on to work for
the Putnam County Board of Education. He
finished his career as Principal of Poca High School.
Most of you know that we lost our
beloved Rebekah on August 29, 1967. The
nightmare continued as boys from Putnam County, serving in Viet Nam, started
coming home in flagged-draped coffins.
Boys he had taught in school, coached on the field and even hired as
Sleepy Hollow Life Guards.
He was a Navy Man. He joined at the age of 16, with his
classmates, during World War II. He
served on the USS-KA84 Waukesha. He
survived being on the assault ship and as one of the first to arrive in
Nagasaki to clean up after the US bombed the city.
Like most Vets, he came home with the
goal of resuming a normal life. He went
to Morris Harvey on the G.I. Bill. He
met a beautiful, young girl and the rest is truly history.
Grandchildren: Christopher, Jonathan and Lindsay, were lucky kids. They grew up with a swimming pool and an
instructor that was serious about teaching them to swim. They all swim like fish. He taught them to take care of the pool,
too. They had a few “history lessons”
over the years. I’m also aware of a few
things he should not have taught them!
He had certain phrases and words that Christopher and Jonathan loved to
say, and still do.
Great-Grandchildren: Anna, Brooke and Jackson Bess – Austin and
Alivia Lanham – Audrey and Colten Carr.
They are his legacy. He has been
ill most of their lives. Mike,
Christopher, Jonathan, Lindsey and I will honor his life and talk to them about
PaPaw Carr.
I want to talk about a subject that I
mentioned earlier – the great love affair between Marlane Crockett Carr and my
Daddy. Can you even imagine being
married almost 68-years? June 7, 1947,
the eloped to Virginia and kept it a secret for several months. My Grandmother Crockett found Mom’s wedding
ring in a box of dusting powder. When
Daddy came to pick my Mother up for a movie date that evening, my Grandparents
said that they would like to talk to
them when they returned. Everyone knew
what the subject would be.
My PaPaw asked them if they were
married. Dad said “no.” Mom said “yes.” They had a “discussion.” When it was over, Mom asked if Dad could
spend the night. My Grandparents said
“no!”
My Mother has totally dedicated
herself to my Daddy’s well-being. His
health issues mounted and she never wavered in her love and care for him. She did everything to keep his dignity
intact. She has had a strong support
team comprised of my brother, Mike; his wife, Karen; Grandson, Jonathan;
Lindsey’s husband, Steven; Neighbor and Friend, Randy Short and life-long
friend, Norma Childress. So many family
members and friends. The Baptist Church
has also supported them. Sending cards, delivering fruit baskets and providing Christmas
Caroling.
Linda Childers Casto and Neda
Childers Schmader. I call them my Best
Friends and my Daddy’s Angels. They have
been there through the great times, and (lately) through the really tough
times. All my Mother had to do was call
and they were there to help. Sometimes
it wasn’t even a call – they would check on my parents and see if they needed
anything. Works cannot express the
amount of love and gratitude I feel for these two sisters.
My Daddy loved my Mother beyond
words. Please know, Mother, that he knew
how much you loved your handsome, Navy man.
Here I am at the point where my head
is telling me to say “goodbye.” My heart
will not allow it. You don’t say
“goodbye” to a man like this. He is my
first love, my hero and my God-send.
Earlier, I spoke about Daddy bringing
me up on the music from the 40’s. Frank
and Jo Stafford both recorded a song and it was his Nitro High Class song. It will forever be in my heart and on my
lips. He loved it. Mom loves it.
Mike loves it. And so do I. So, Daddy the following song is my loving
salute to you. “I’ll being seeing you,
Daddy!”
Your girl,
Sandra
