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Monday, July 14, 2008

Rest in Peace Johnny

John T. Duerkop, Jr., June 11, 1948 - May 23, 2008

John was an unusual man. He was kind-hearted, a gentleman, intensely curious about the world around him, and happiest when he was talking about what he had learned.
John T. Duerkop, Jr.

He preferred a slower pace. He liked to drive the back roads, instead of the freeways, because there was so much more of life to see there.
Johnny Duerkop

He liked people. He liked rivers, streams, lakes, valleys, mountains, sunsets, and rain storms. He collected and studied history books, magazines, and maps. He could always tell you what was up the road, off the beaten path, and who had been there in times past. He seemed to know something about everything.
John Duerkop

He liked cowboys and Indians, and cowboy poets. He liked pine trees, flannel shirts, and campfires. He liked horses, fish, and birds.
John Duerkop

He never got enough of the world and what filled it.

He was faithful, loving, and respectful, and we cherished him.
John Duerkop

His body was finally overcome by cancer. It’s been weeks since he passed away, but it is still difficult to believe that he’s not still fighting.
John Duerkop

During the last year of his life, there were many times when it seemed his tired body could not possibly hold on much longer. But somehow he rallied. Setback after setback, he came back. It’s hard to accept that he had such a hard time of it and hard to comprehend his absence.
John Duerkop
John Duerkop

John was supported by a strong network of family, by friends who held him so dear they seemed like family, and by kind strangers who heard about him and prayed, yearned, and willed for him to recover.
John Duerkop
When he finally passed away one afternoon, he was at home, asleep, where he wanted to be, in the West Texas desert. Surrounded by some of those mountains, cowboys, and horses that he loved. His body is gone, but he’s still here, deep in our hearts.

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5 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Peace to you and David, Rachel. Your words are beautiful and paint a very nice portrait. Thank you for sharing your memories and feelings.

11:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rachel and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss and offer you my deepest condolences. John was a wonderful man who left a strong impression on this earth. Peace, Maggie B.

9:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rachel, Very sorry to hear of your loss. Your tribute to John is very touching. We've missed your blog and KIP on Tuesday nights, but this is a time to be with your family and be gentle with each other. Come back when you can, we'Ve got chocolate and giggles waiting for you. Hugs, Lynne

11:44 AM  
Blogger La Cabeza Grande said...

You haven't been around and I thought and I wondered to myself, "Maybe John..."

Peace to you, David and the rest of your family.

4:42 PM  
Blogger Restlessmoon said...

I have been watching your blog,thinking maybe something was amiss..... my condolences to you and your family. I do love the tribute to Johnny. In Texas, there's a saying "He died with his boots on". It means many different things to different people. In my book, it means you gave it your all 24/7 and never looked back. It looks like he was that kinda man.

1:20 PM  

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