Gene R. Strub

I was so startled to see a death date for your dad while doing research on ancestry.com. I just finished watching your beautiful video tribute to him and want to let you know how sorry we are to hear of your loss. I recently came into possession of several pictures from Grandpa Read's ancestors and am hoping to find a way to mail them to you. Please contact me at my e-mail address above or at 925/683-2501 to get me an address please. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Cindy and family

HAPPY EASTER

Dear Dad,

Just wrote a note to Mom to tell her you are with her now. Today is a nice day and is Easter, can't believe its been almost 4 months since your passing. Its hard to imagine how the time goes by so fast. You are always on my mind and Mom also. You both were loved more than you know. I remember everytime I came to visit you at the house, before leaving we would always say

HAPPY EASTER

Dear Dad,

Just wrote a note to Mom to tell her you are with her now. Today is a nice day and is Easter, can't believe its been almost 4 months since your passing. Its hard to imagine how the time goes by so fast. You are always on my mind and Mom also. You both were loved more than you know. I remember everytime I came to visit you at the house, before leaving we would always say I love you to each other, remember your little comment to me, I love me too:) Growing up and all these years don't think there ever was a day that any of us would not say I love you before hanging up the phone, or leaving to say goodbye. The night you died, and to this day it breaks my heart that we all didn't get there in time before your last breath, we wanted to say our last goodbyes and say we love you Dad and wanted to hear you say I love me too! I'll always remember that and all the little saying you said to me on our visits. There was still so much to say and do. We knew you were struggling and getting tired, each day was sometimes different, but also we could see it in your eyes that you could not hang on anymore. We so wish both you and Mom were still here, as one doesnt realize how much you miss that person in your life until they are gone. You both were such a huge part of our lives, our hearts are torn apart, but your memories of you both have stayed together. We are sorry we didn't get to celebrate Christmas, I know you were looking forward to our visit as we had plans to look at the slides again of years past. I remember you telling me that, but know it couldnt be, we knew you were sick, but didn't have a clue you would pass so unexpectedly,the way you did,but blessed you were home and not alone,we know you wanted it that way. Life is a journey for us all and know you were ready to end it to be with Mom,we know you missed her and being the holiday we understand it was time. Not for us,but to live freely without pain. Love you Dad!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Dad, thinking about you today as its a day for remembering you and to say I love you. I'll always forever miss you and the great stories and memories left behind for us to cherish. We can't ever repay you for everything you and Mom did for us. Even though we told you each time how much we loved you and appreciated everything, we wish you both were still here, but realize it was just a

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Dad, thinking about you today as its a day for remembering you and to say I love you. I'll always forever miss you and the great stories and memories left behind for us to cherish. We can't ever repay you for everything you and Mom did for us. Even though we told you each time how much we loved you and appreciated everything, we wish you both were still here, but realize it was just a matter of time, which again you never know when that time comes for any of us. We could see you getting tired and weary and noticed your struggles each day trying to stay as strong and independent as best you knew how. We think we did the best we could in looking after you and taking care of you, as well as Mom when she was sick.
I know you are finally together now in Heaven and God has both of you in his care. I am lost without you both as I think we all are as it became a part of our lives, even though it was difficult and time consuming but would do this all over again because you both would be once again in our lives. We know that will not happen, but one thing for sure is both of you will forever always touch our hearts in a way no one can understand and we always will keep all the memories and past close to our hearts until the day we pass on. I know you both are safe and watching over us.
Even though its not easy, you instilled in us to be strong, but again theres days that I feel so helpless and an orphan, even though we all are grown. I miss you so much and sometimes dont think none of us realize how much you cherish a loved one until their actually gone. We always will remember you both as the best parents. We are dealing with alot right now going through the house and taking care of business. Its the hardest thing we've ever had to deal with in our life, it makes me cry each time I go over to the house,knowing someday the house will no longer be ours. 56 yrs of memories!

Love you always!!!

Dad, today we had your service, we all were there with family and friends. Jim and Audrey were there too and Jim is so lost knowing he will not be able to drive over to visit you anymore. Its just so hard Dad. Still can't believe your gone, as I looked at you laying there today you looked so peaceful and knew it was final. Letroy was there he is still in disbelief, he is such a caring loving person,

Dad, today we had your service, we all were there with family and friends. Jim and Audrey were there too and Jim is so lost knowing he will not be able to drive over to visit you anymore. Its just so hard Dad. Still can't believe your gone, as I looked at you laying there today you looked so peaceful and knew it was final. Letroy was there he is still in disbelief, he is such a caring loving person, felt bad for him, he said I lost my buddy, he really took care of you and we couldn't have found a better person to look out for you, he was your Angel. He will miss you. The day turned out beautiful the sun shining as the past few days were rainy and dreary, which made me feel even worse knowing this day was coming. My feelings were so messed up but we all made it through, trying to be strong like you wanted us to be. Kaaren and Kaye got up to talk about your childhood and growing up and your last years, it was nice to hear about it, they did good, weeped some, but did a good job, I couldnt have done what they did, I would have been a total mess. I guess I'm more the emotional one in the family, can't help it. Dad you are at peace now and in good hands with the Lord now, wanted to leave your shoes with you today, but kept changing my mind about you going with them, we know how much you loved those signature shoes we called them. Decided to keep them along with some other of your personal items you treasured, this is something I'll cherish for years to come, will be keeping them with Moms things. You were my Daddy and will always love you and miss you. Your final resting day will be this coming week and being as hard as it was today, its really going to be final after you are laid to rest with Mom, this is it, forever, never going to see you both again in a physical sense, but the memories of you and Mom will last a lifetime and will take them all with me until we see each other again! Love you lots!!!!!!

Knowing that Grandpa's spirit has returned home and is now again with Grandma brings peace to my mind.

Seeing the fine characteristics of Grandpa shining through in my family brings joy to my heart.

I love each and everyone of you, past and present.

Love,
Chell

Kathy, Kaaren, Kaye, Kris

Our family is very sorry for your loss. The neighborhood seems so sad now as both our families deal with the loss of our remaining parent. May your memories be a source of strength.

John, Ron, David, and Scott Kennedy

Dad, Thanks for being such a great Dad and always being there for me when I needed you. Thanks for all the wonderful memories you gave me as a child growing up. I will always miss you and Mom. You will forever be in my heart and mind. God keep your forever in his loving grace until one day when I see you again. Your loving daughter, Kaaren

Kris and family,

On behalf of my family (Maestas), we are so sorry for your loss. we remember your Father fondly. So many memories growing up of both your parents. You all are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.

Dad, I'm lighting a candle for you and this tribute is in your memory. The candle will forever shine on you and Mom. You both are now in God's safe keeping for eternity. Can't believe you and Mom and really gone, I have a hard time dealing with death, but know I'm not the only one who has lost someone I loved so very much. I'm happy and blessed to have had a great childhood, I look back and realize

Dad, I'm lighting a candle for you and this tribute is in your memory. The candle will forever shine on you and Mom. You both are now in God's safe keeping for eternity. Can't believe you and Mom and really gone, I have a hard time dealing with death, but know I'm not the only one who has lost someone I loved so very much. I'm happy and blessed to have had a great childhood, I look back and realize I wasnt always the best behaved child, but as I grew older and you as well, feel like we bonded closer than when I was little. I think as they say the older you become the more mellow you are. I will always cherish my childhood memories and all the fun times I had growing up. Life now is so precious as the older we get the more the days go by so fast before your eyes. I wish there was more that could have been done for you to make you better. I look back and see what Mom went through and for ourselves and also remember you doing the best you could in taking care of her. We can see now what you were going through with that. After Mom passed away we knew you were all alone, but also we knew you wanted your space. As the days and months passed by we could see you needing more care, even though you declined it, you had a strong determination to be as independent as possible, but then could see you starting to become more dependent on someone for the smallest things, I know that was hard for you, but Dad that is why we did what we had to do, its all because of LOVE. We didnt want to watch you struggle with the day to day living. It was knocking you down more and more. We watched Mom for so long in her struggles with all her health problems and how she had no choice to become dependent on someone else to take care of her. As you said it was getting to where you ran out of reasons and choices, until you just became too tired and weary that you could not go on anymore. You were not alone that night and so blessed you were at home, this is what your goal was and you got it Dad. Its 2 days before your service and already tensing up, I will try hard to be strong, but its not going to be easy. I will just have to open up my emotions as they come, this is my only way to help relieve my feelings that have been bottled up for so, so long. I'm still not believing yet, but know when I see you laying their sleeping in front of me, know this will be the time I will realize your really gone and now in Heaven, with Mom too. May you both RIP with no worries or pain. Love you both always XoXoXo!!!!

Merry Christmas in Heaven

Dad, thinking about you this Christmas Day, I'm still working on your obituary and will be adding it for you, wanted to make it special just like you were to me. We know you were hanging on as long as you possibly could, until you just couldnt anymore, we saw how weak you were becoming. You were not alone Dad thats comforting to us. Dad may you rest in peace and your finally with Mom now,

Merry Christmas in Heaven

Dad, thinking about you this Christmas Day, I'm still working on your obituary and will be adding it for you, wanted to make it special just like you were to me. We know you were hanging on as long as you possibly could, until you just couldnt anymore, we saw how weak you were becoming. You were not alone Dad thats comforting to us. Dad may you rest in peace and your finally with Mom now, both of you are no longer in pain and will rest for eternity together. We all love and miss you so very much. This is the first Christmas without you, here we had plans to be together this holiday wknd,you were so excited and looking forward to us being there with you looking at all the old slides of days past on the projector. We will always be together with all the great memories we had of you and Mom. Miss you always, will be back to write your life story and will be with you at your service we have set up for you, we know you probably wouldnt care or want it, but this is our way to say thank you Dad for being the best and Mom too. Its going to be a beautiful service, our tribute! Most importantly you both knew how much we loved you and we know how much you loved us.