Today, Larry James Cameron was buried with military honors at Willamette National Cemetery, in Portland Oregon. It was a beautiful day today. Granddaughter Kaity would call it a "grandpa day", since it was clear, sunny, but a little cool. Most likely the perfect climate for his photography hobby!
The morning started pretty typical. Everyone a little hurried, a few errends needing to be run - like taking Taz to the groomer, a quick stop for an Egg McMuffin at McDonalds, stopping to buy a blow dryer and making a quick trip to downtown to pick up a granddaughter at Portland State. Sherry, Greg and I went to the funeral home to pick up the remains. Eventually we made our way to the cemetery and we all seemed pretty strong. Greg and I delivered the remains, a flag and a document to the main office. Waiting in our cars, I think it started to sink in why we were there. As we wound our way through the cemetery, following "Wayne" the WNC Coordinator, it was not until we turned a corner and could see off in the distance several military men in full uniform standing ready to greet us. As if we were royalty, they stood still and quiet, saluting this family of one of their former servicemen until we all took our place in the staging area. Sherry, Melody and Greg and the grandhildren sat in the clean white chairs, the rest of us gathered behind.
The honor guard gave the gun salute, followed by "Taps" played with perfection by a young military soldier on trumpet. We then viewed the emotional and intense presentation of "Old Glory". My eyes fought back tears as three finely dressed young soldiers took the flag from the table, opened it, and refolded it with intention and purpose. With perfect coreography, the folded flag was handed to Sherry. There was not a dry eye in the place (okay - maybe one from the granddaughter that doesn't cry when she is sad, but giggles!). After the flag was presented, Sherry was handed three of the shell casings from the gun salute - one representing the service to his Lord, the second service to his country, and the third the service to his family. Sherry will cherish those momentos for the rest of her days. Pastor (Commander) Gil Hansen, Sr., closed the ceremony with scripture and prayer. The family and few close friends in attendance then mingled for awhile - reminiscing, wiping tears, shooting photos, and planning where to go for lunch!
The military men and women and the professionals at Willamette National Cemetery, were phenominal and take the utmost care of the grounds. It is a breathtaking place. You'd expect that since they do these ceremonies hundreds of times a year. But somehow today seemed extra special...just for us.
The rest of the day was spent just hanging out as families do at times like this. Looking at old photos, hearing & telling stories, taking quick cat naps and trying to prepare ourselves for Saturdays service. It will be a hard day for sure, but we are grateful that Larry lived the kind of life that makes it pretty easy to celebrate. In the next day or two we will go and place flowers at the grave, a visit I am sure we will makeoften for years to come.
Rest well, Larry, rest well...
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Service Time...
Sorry folks - I left the time off the last post.
The service for Larry is at 1:00 pm Saturday, April 17th at:
Evergreen Community Church
16940 South Beckman Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 720-0325
We look forward to celebrating Larry's life with many of you.
The service for Larry is at 1:00 pm Saturday, April 17th at:
Evergreen Community Church
16940 South Beckman Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 720-0325
We look forward to celebrating Larry's life with many of you.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Service Planned
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Larry James Cameron is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at:
Evergreen Community Church
16940 South Beckman Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 720-0325
The family is putting together a memory book for Sherry. If you have a memory about Larry that you would like to share, we would love for you to email it to Sherry so that we can include it in the book. Larry had such an impact on all of us - it will fun to read your stories - the serious ones and the funny ones. Sherry's email address is: sherryjoanne@comcast.net.
Evergreen Community Church
16940 South Beckman Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 720-0325
The family is putting together a memory book for Sherry. If you have a memory about Larry that you would like to share, we would love for you to email it to Sherry so that we can include it in the book. Larry had such an impact on all of us - it will fun to read your stories - the serious ones and the funny ones. Sherry's email address is: sherryjoanne@comcast.net.
Sherry continues to remain strong. She met with the funeral home today to get those details figured out. Cathy and Charlene went with her - she was grateful for that. Most of the details are dialed in, although some information regarding his military service is being gathered to finalize where he will be buried.
More than anything, Sherry wants and needs your prayers, love and support. She was overwhelmed with the many calls of love and support she got today. Thank you for checking in on her.
Peace...
Steve (for the family)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Day After...
Greetings friends and family;
In spite of all we are dealing with today was a good day. While none of us got much sleep last night we gathered together at about 10 to have some breakfast together at one of Larry's favorite nearby places: Biscuits Cafe. Sherry, Melody and I, our daughter Kaity, and Sherry's sister Charlene went as well as my (Steve's) mother Helen and sister Kathy. It was a great time - lots of laughs. We then ventured back to the apartment and hung out for a while. Sherry's granddaughter who is attending Portland State University, came down for the afternoon and evening.
Sherry's Pastor Gil Sr and Pastor Gil Jr along with their wives came by to interact with the family a bit - share some encouraging words and to pray. Sherry also talked with Pastor Gil Sr. about the memorial service (details to come soon).
Sherry's employer, Ash Creek Associates, was having a company bowling party today. We thought it would be good for Sherry to get out of the house so we took her over to the party for a little while. She was loved on by so many great people that she works with. Many of them knew and loved Larry.
After leaving the bowling alley we stopped at another of Larry's favorites, the Macaroni Grill, for a quick bite of dinner. This time it was just Sherry, Melody, Emily, Kaity and myself. Sherry got to talk with one of Larry's favorite bartenders (Heather) to tell her the news of Larry's passing.
We got back to the apartment at about 6:30 and Sherry went straight to bed where she will likely stay until morning. She deserves and very much needs a good nights rest.
Sherry has had lots of phone calls from folks as the news is getting out. It is very encouraging to her as are the comments you all are leaving on this blog.
More details to come...
Steve (for the family)
In spite of all we are dealing with today was a good day. While none of us got much sleep last night we gathered together at about 10 to have some breakfast together at one of Larry's favorite nearby places: Biscuits Cafe. Sherry, Melody and I, our daughter Kaity, and Sherry's sister Charlene went as well as my (Steve's) mother Helen and sister Kathy. It was a great time - lots of laughs. We then ventured back to the apartment and hung out for a while. Sherry's granddaughter who is attending Portland State University, came down for the afternoon and evening.
Sherry's Pastor Gil Sr and Pastor Gil Jr along with their wives came by to interact with the family a bit - share some encouraging words and to pray. Sherry also talked with Pastor Gil Sr. about the memorial service (details to come soon).
Sherry's employer, Ash Creek Associates, was having a company bowling party today. We thought it would be good for Sherry to get out of the house so we took her over to the party for a little while. She was loved on by so many great people that she works with. Many of them knew and loved Larry.
After leaving the bowling alley we stopped at another of Larry's favorites, the Macaroni Grill, for a quick bite of dinner. This time it was just Sherry, Melody, Emily, Kaity and myself. Sherry got to talk with one of Larry's favorite bartenders (Heather) to tell her the news of Larry's passing.
We got back to the apartment at about 6:30 and Sherry went straight to bed where she will likely stay until morning. She deserves and very much needs a good nights rest.
Sherry has had lots of phone calls from folks as the news is getting out. It is very encouraging to her as are the comments you all are leaving on this blog.
More details to come...
Steve (for the family)
Friday, April 9, 2010
In The Presence Of The Lord
At 9:28 pm, April 9, 2010, Larry James Cameron was ushered into the presence of the Lord. He went fighting. Melody, Kaity and I were able to spend about 15 minutes with him - telling him we loved him and that we would take care of Sherry. Sherry's sisters April, Cathy and her husband Bill and Charlene were here as well. It is a difficult night, but we rejoice that he is not suffering anymore. To see him laying peacefully with a puppy under his arm is a beautiful sight.
Thanks for your love. As soon as decisions are made regarding any type of service, we will let you know.
The family
Thanks for your love. As soon as decisions are made regarding any type of service, we will let you know.
The family
The Time Has Come...
Dear Family and Friends,
At approximately 4:00 today Larry was given only a few short hours to remain on this earth. Obviously Hospice came at the right time. Family is gathering at the apartment tonight for prayer and vigil as Larry "graduates" from this life to the next ~ whenever that officially takes place.
Melody and I along with Larry's granddaughter Kaity, are headed to Portland right now as soon as we get Melody stabilized for the trip. Should we not arrive in time, we will rest in knowing that Melody was able to say goodbye via phone about an hour ago. Sherry held the phone to Larry's ear, Melody said her goodbye's. Larry opened his eyes at hearing her voice. It was the first time all day Larry showed any response and opened his eyes. Thus is the love between a daughter and her father. Kaity was also able to say goodbye to her grandpa. Larry responded then as well. Greg, Larry's son will be in Oregon on Thursday from Tennessee.
Thanks for your prayers for the family tonight and the impact you have all had in Larry's life on earth. Maybe he will hang on for a little while longer - but we would sure like him to stop suffering.
Love,
Steve and Melody - for the family.
At approximately 4:00 today Larry was given only a few short hours to remain on this earth. Obviously Hospice came at the right time. Family is gathering at the apartment tonight for prayer and vigil as Larry "graduates" from this life to the next ~ whenever that officially takes place.
Melody and I along with Larry's granddaughter Kaity, are headed to Portland right now as soon as we get Melody stabilized for the trip. Should we not arrive in time, we will rest in knowing that Melody was able to say goodbye via phone about an hour ago. Sherry held the phone to Larry's ear, Melody said her goodbye's. Larry opened his eyes at hearing her voice. It was the first time all day Larry showed any response and opened his eyes. Thus is the love between a daughter and her father. Kaity was also able to say goodbye to her grandpa. Larry responded then as well. Greg, Larry's son will be in Oregon on Thursday from Tennessee.
Thanks for your prayers for the family tonight and the impact you have all had in Larry's life on earth. Maybe he will hang on for a little while longer - but we would sure like him to stop suffering.
Love,
Steve and Melody - for the family.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
"Takin' A Walk Thru Glory"
Having read the title to this chapter of the blog, "Takin' A Walk Thru Glory", some may have thought that Larry had indeed moved on. He hasn't yet - these are just a few of the simple words he spoke today aloud to Sherry. He is slowly slipping away. Today was rough - pretty much the daily expectation, I guess. Sherry remains externally strong amidst the sorrow she feels deep inside her soul as she watches her best friend sleep~breathe~sleep~breathe. His comfort and rest come from being held in the arms of his Savior - the One gently preparing to carry him home forever. Well, that and a few drops of morphine on the tongue are pretty helpful, too! Larry also muttered "I don't know all these people". Perhaps he was envisioning himself walking through the gates of heaven and seeing the crowds who had come to welcome him home. Larry is such a great friend to so many.
Hospice will be coming by the house on Friday at 1:30 to check on Larry and discuss his care. Sherry has asked a couple of her sisters if they could be there with her so she does not have to try and understand the process alone. We are proud of Sherry for asking for this help. Sherry has said that with the care she is able to give Larry she can tell that his systems are starting to slowly shut down. I cannot imagine being in her place right now. She also says that he is showing signs similar to when her mother passed away several years ago.
Larry and Sherry's son Greg will be here next Thursday. Originally he was going to come out in two weeks, but as things are now, the family felt it necessary to get him out here sooner. Sherry told Larry that Greg would be out in a couple weeks and could he hold on until then. Larry quietly replied, "no". Larry knows his time is short.
We wanted to express our thanks to the pastors who have come by for a visit and to pray. It is so refreshing to know that the family of God is joining together to care for this deeply hurting couple.
Well that's about it for tonight. We will update Friday night as soon as we hear about hospice. Melody and I, along with our daughter Kaity, are planning on driving to Portland Saturday afternoon to spend some time with Larry assuming Melody is able to make the trip. We need him to know we love him and that he has clearance to let go of this world and go "take a walk in glory". Sounds profound, but Larry never listened to me before, why start now!!
Until next time....
Steve (for the family)
Hospice will be coming by the house on Friday at 1:30 to check on Larry and discuss his care. Sherry has asked a couple of her sisters if they could be there with her so she does not have to try and understand the process alone. We are proud of Sherry for asking for this help. Sherry has said that with the care she is able to give Larry she can tell that his systems are starting to slowly shut down. I cannot imagine being in her place right now. She also says that he is showing signs similar to when her mother passed away several years ago.
Larry and Sherry's son Greg will be here next Thursday. Originally he was going to come out in two weeks, but as things are now, the family felt it necessary to get him out here sooner. Sherry told Larry that Greg would be out in a couple weeks and could he hold on until then. Larry quietly replied, "no". Larry knows his time is short.
We wanted to express our thanks to the pastors who have come by for a visit and to pray. It is so refreshing to know that the family of God is joining together to care for this deeply hurting couple.
Well that's about it for tonight. We will update Friday night as soon as we hear about hospice. Melody and I, along with our daughter Kaity, are planning on driving to Portland Saturday afternoon to spend some time with Larry assuming Melody is able to make the trip. We need him to know we love him and that he has clearance to let go of this world and go "take a walk in glory". Sounds profound, but Larry never listened to me before, why start now!!
Until next time....
Steve (for the family)
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