Coffee Klatch

My father-in-law passed away this week. His funeral was today in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but I had to stay in Indianapolis because I had way too many things requiring my presence (concerts, classes, work shifts, work shifts covering for other people). My wife and boys were already up there and were able to stay this week for the funeral.

After the various epitaphs and blog posts I’ve done for authors, actors, or other people who contributed to creating entertainment that has helped shape who I am, I figured I especially should write something about my father-in-law. Richard M. Davies was 84 years old, had been struggling with cancer for quite a while, and slipped quietly into eternity peacefully in his sleep.

Dick was a quiet man and a good man who loved God and served Him consistently through his church, his family, and his community. He played the trombone most of his life, both in dance bands in the ’40s and in church for many, many years. That he was a fan of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey is therefore no surprise. He was a regular attender and big fan of Upper Peninsula Bible Camp in Northern Michigan for countless years. My wife always remembered how he would “tinker” with things around the house, finding little things that needed to be fixed and taking care of them.

I don’t have any quickly accessible digital photos of him, but last month we were able to take a few days to travel to Green Bay and visit and get a full family photo taken.

He is survived by his wife, Delores, a sister, four children, and five grandchildren. May God grant him peace and welcome Richard into the presence of the God he loved and served faithfully for so many years.