06/26/2026
If you knew Papa, you knew some things pretty quickly. He loved the Lord, he loved his family and people, and he loved to ride his motorcycle.
He put hundreds and hundreds of miles on that bike every year because he just loved being on it. And before he moved to Kentucky, he would ride all the way from Illinois just to be at church on Sunday. That’s the kind of man he was. If something mattered to him, he showed up.
When he moved here, he loved becoming part of the Crusaders. He found another family there, and it fit him perfectly because serving people and riding was just who he was.
Papa had the biggest heart. He never met a stranger. He’d stop and listen to anyone, and somehow he always had the right words. If you were hungry, he’d feed you. If you needed somewhere to stay, he’d make room. If you needed help, he’d help, even if it meant he had less himself. He would truly give you the shirt off his back. Sometimes he was so kind it probably cost him, but that’s just who he was. He couldn’t help but love people. He really believed that was his calling and how he showed God’s grace and mercy because as he said, “He needed so much so he has to show so much.”
One of our favorite memories is having church in his garage. Before every service, he’d be out there sweeping, cleaning, and getting everything just right because he wanted everyone who came to feel welcome. It wasn’t just a garage. It became a place where people found hope, friendship, and Jesus.
He loved his two daughters. He loved his grandkids. Family meant everything to him.
When I think about Papa, I don’t think about all the things he had. I don’t think about his wild years. I think about all the people he helped. There are so many lives that are better because they crossed paths with him. His kindness didn’t just make people feel good for a day. It changed people.
That’s the legacy he leaves behind. A man who loved God, loved his family, loved riding his motorcycle, and loved people with everything he had.
I think that’s a life worth celebrating. Rest Easy now, we will see each other again.
