A good friend of mine told me this "The greatest heroes, guardians, and mentors have to retire sometimes. So that we can keep their greatest legacy alive in us."

I arrived at the hospital early morning on Monday of this week. After speaking with the doctor the prognosis was not bleak but grim.  He said that my dad could go in a of minutes.  Well wouldn't you know my dad proved that doctor wrong for four days. He fought for everything that he had and with Death it would be no different.

On the night leading into the third day, the heavens shook and trembled with lightning and thunder and such ferocity that I can't help but to think that my dad had something to do with it.  I believe it was Death showing his best and can see my Dad saying to him "Is that all you've got because my name is June P. Louis and you're in for a rough ride."  I see the passing of my Dad as fight between him and Death that was much like any fight you'd see on television.  For days they fought Death and Dad and he was giving as good as he was taking.  As crowd of those who had passed before him grew they traded blows.  One would think that these was a battle between two deities and not an angel and a mortal.  Finally after what seemed like an eternity the fact that he was mortal held true and the battle was over.  Even in death he was every bit the fighter that he was in life.

To all who read this who read this let it be known that my Dad was a man of legendary statue. Barrel chested and Hulking in his prime.  His strength and knowledge was seemingly boundless and only eclipsed by his capacity to love.  For and to him nothing was impossible. Growing up I watched him in awe.  I am grateful to be his son and now the torch is mine to carry.

For most fathers it is good enough for there sons to be like them when they grow up. With my dad this was not the case.  I remember telling my dad "I want to be like you when I grow up" and to that he would say "I don't want to be like me.  I want you to be better than me." For a young boy growing up in Texas what he was asking for was impossible. As man I understand. He didn't want me to live in his shadow. He wanted to bask in mine.