My Brother - by Tracy Turner

This page will be used by many to remember a fine fellow. It will be used to recall the life of a man known simply as "Tony" or "Daddy". I cannot tell you everything about the 40 years that I spent with him. But what I can tell you about those years are the things that I will remember most about my baby brother.

As of late, Tony and I were not spending very much time together. He led a busy life and so do I. We'd run into each other at our parents on the weekend occasionally and try to catch up on what was going on. It was nice, but still I wish I had had more time to spend with him. Jobs and responsibilities tend to get in the way with families at times. But, through it all, he was always there. If I ever needed him or needed a favor, I knew I could always pick up the phone and call him.

I had to do that one Saturday morning this past winter. I was alone at home in bed early on this cold Saturday morning. My wife and children were visiting in Georgia. I awoke very ill. I was extremely dizzy and couldn't stand up. I didn't know what was wrong, but I knew I was seriously ill. As I tried to get out of bed and stagger down the hall, I fell to the floor and couldn't get up. My legs were drawn under me and I couldn't straighten them out. Then the doorbell rang. I yelled for whoever it was to come on in. It was Tony. "Hey Wildman! What's wrong with you?" he yelled. As I tried to get up and tell him, I fell again. He apparently thought I had been drinking or something, because he started laughing. Now, you have to know Tony. He found humor in almost anything. I started telling him how I felt and I guess I used some humorous words to describe the feeling, because he started laughing even harder and that got me tickled and I started laughing to. Finally when we caught our breath, he realized the seriousness of the situation and called 911. He followed the ambulance to the hospital and stayed with me that day. My potassium level had bottomed out to a very critical stage and I spent almost a week in the hospital recovering. He was there for me, just like he always was.

Now that he is gone, I have this feeling about him, this essence that everything is alright with him and he is in a place of well being.

Memories are all I have left of my brother now, but he is more deserving of just memories. Memories do not do him justice. He was a dedicated father and a devoted husband, and the best brother anyone could ever hope to have.

He was always supportive of everything I did growing up.

He was a motivator, and a friend, but most of all he was the greatest brother ever. I don't know how he held it all together, but somehow he did.

There's more I want to say about this great person, but I just cannot find the words right now. But I promise to live the rest of my life the way he would have wanted me to, to the fullest. I will not let you down Tony, I promise.