Ronald Young

Written by Hali Young

When I was little, I remember stomping my feet or sitting in the corner of the room just to get my dads attention and wait for him to ask me to snuggle. I'd sit there looking sad and lonely while he'd calmly ask me to come snuggle. After a few requests, I'd give in and would be in his arms in seconds without a care in the world.

Later on in childhood, I realized I didn't need to put up a fight for him to prove he loved me. It came through the elaborate tooth fairy gifts, the bedtime song "Rain drops keep falling on my head", or even the waffles for dinner, which was my favorite. His love for me also came out in who he chose as his life partner, John.

As a kid I didn't realize how carefully he chose John, and how patient he was with me to come around to seeing John as an equal dad to my own. Someone who stepped in and taught me so many invaluable things, while my dad heeded patience and kindness and warmth.

My dad was never an angry man, the few times I did see him truly angry were when he was defending me or our little family, even in things as simple as a man stealing my spot in a parking lot. "What kind of man are you to do this to my daughter," he said to a complete stranger demanding him to think about how he treats women. I'm beyond proud to be his daughter and that he loved me, Jared and John so deeply. His love shines in every memory and every action he ever took to care for us and anyone else who needed it.

I've never seen my dad waver in his character. He's always been certain of who he was as my and Jared's dad, as John's partner, as a manager at FedEx, as a business owner, and as an artist. He built relationships in every chapter of his life with his caring and generous nature and his legacy leaves behind an enormous amount of love from people in every walk of his life, who he cared for individually and kept close to his heart.

When we found out about his cancer earlier this year, the devastation was indescribable. The strongest and kindest man I've ever known was dying, and there were hardly words. Overcoming the initial shock of the news, we came together as a family and spent every second of time we had to create the most beautiful memories.

As amazing as a dad he was, he also took pride in his garden at every house we lived. Working hard to paint his landscape with every color and texture he could, and this past spring was no exception. Even after chemo sessions, he would be out mowing the lawn or planting new bulbs. His tremendous strength in handling his cancer and his love for the beautiful things and people in his life kept him determined to fight and search for happiness in every way he could.

My dad walked me down a dirt and grassy path to marry my husband Matt in July. It was a beautiful day in the mountains of Creede, Colorado where we found an opening in the trees to marry in front of our closest friends and parents. Before we started the trek, my dad in a dapper blue suit, held my hand tightly and said I'll never let you go. This moment was one of the most special in my life and I feel so grateful to be able to look fondly back on it forever.

Many nights in the past year were spent where my husband would build a toasty fire in my dad and John's beautiful home and we'd watch movies, tell stories and laugh together. Although his time on this earth was much shorter than any of us would've imagined, we spent it loving each other and filling his heart with as much happiness as was possible.

His strength carried him through to December, with John and me by his side, comforting him and holding his hands. His love will live forever inside everyone who has been lucky enough to know him. I will always hold the image of his perfect soul in my heart. As the song he sang me for bedtime would go, it won't be long ‘til happiness steps up to greet me. And I know it has for you, dad.

Love forever,

Your sweetheart