1. The Deke and I arrived at the Shoshone Funeral Home uptown a little early and already the room was packed for Roger Fulton's Celebration of Life. We seated ourselves in a row of the extra chairs an usher suddenly and smoothly provided and people continued to stream in and were seated in all corners of the room. Jeremy Gray, Carol Lee's son-in-law, officiated. Carol Lee's daughter, Christa, sang. Two of Roger's grandchildren, Stacy Kendrick and Travis Fulton each eulogized Roger. They both spoke admiringly of Roger's athletic prowess and competitive spirit, particularly on the golf course, and told stories of times they had with their grandfather that they will never forget. Diana Perry remembered the one round of golf she played with Roger and read a poem. Bucky expressed gratitude to many people, especially for all those who had taken care of his father, and especially the staff at the nursing home.
Jeremy delivered a homily, drawing upon verses of scripture to help illuminate and illustrate Roger Fulton's character and all of our hopes for Roger's new life in heaven. When Jeremy opened the floor for anyone who cared to say more about Roger, the activities director (and a lot more) at the nursing home, John Davis, talked about what an eager participant Roger was in all the activities and that even has his physical prowess diminished, he never lost his competitive spirit.
2. Following the service, many of those in attendance gathered at the Elks for a luncheon and to socialize. I loved seeing so many classmates from the KHS Class of '72 in attendance and got to sit and talk with several of them during lunch. For those of you who know Jim Bachmeier, please hold him and Sue in your thoughts and prayers. I'm not medically literate enough to describe Jim's illness, but it's a neurological or brain problem that has left him with little mobility, and, if I heard Sue correctly in the noise of the luncheon, I think he is facing surgery soon. Even if my details here are off, what's definitely true is that Jim is in tough shape and Sue is up against it doing all she can to help him. He's home now after a stay in the hospital. If I hear anything else, or if I need to clarify anything I've written, I'll write updates here in my blog.
3. I know when we held Mom's Celebration of Life and the reception at Carol and Paul's, I loved getting together soon afterwards with family and friends at the Inland Lounge and cutting loose. Likewise, today, many members of the Fulton family and many friends extended the reception at the Elks and we all got together for drinks, stories, and laughter at the Lounge. As the afternoon went along, the Deke arrived with Becky and Ashley from Radio Brewing. Around five o'clock, the Deke and I walked up to Radio Brewing's first anniversary celebration and the opening of the patio/beer garden out back. I ordered a rack of the day's featured barbecued ribs. The Deke and I shared them and enjoyed the new Idaho River Session ale. Soon, Harley, Candy, Carol Lee, and Jake joined us and we capped off the day with more yakkin' and our dinner, a fun conclusion to a day filled with mourning and celebration, many memories and a lot of good friends.
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