Eulogy for Momma

One of the many things I can say when I speak of my mother is that she loved her family. She would routinely do without so her children could have more. Even as far as wearing worn out clothes so we could have new ones. So I find it fitting to use this passage to define what love is.
1 Corinthians 13:4-10 New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.
I believe one of my favorite authors Francis Chan said it best when he said “God’s definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love.” As I look around this room I see that love reflected in the eyes of those that cared for her.
With that we honor her memory by the love she shared and taught to us and we continue her legacy by the love we share with others. Remembering always that indeed love never fails. It conquers all.

Piya was a dedicated wife, devoted mother and caring grandmother. She was born Ng Wipiya in China and became Kho Wipiya when married. Her English name was Shirley Kho and she also used the Thai name, Piya Burapavong. Piya and Boonit (Samuel Kho) were married nearly 75 years before her passing. She served the Lord faithfully by helping Boonit in all his endeavors to serve God. They met in Cherngnim, China where they married and then journeyed to Bangkok, Thailand during World War II in 1943. She had her first child, son Thavit, in 1945 and her second child, daughter Nantana, in 1948. In Bangkok, the couple served at Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church in various ways since 1944. They were involved in church planting in nothern Thailand and the founding of Bethel Bible Institute in Chiang Rai. As Piya's understanding of God grew, her faith in Him grew to be very strong as well. In 2006 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Piya is survived by her husband, Boonit, her son and daughter-in-law, Thavit and Vipa; her daughter and son-in-law, Nantana and Ronald; her grandchildren: Catty, Neda, Daniel, Angeli and Natalie; her great-grandchildren: Luke, Oliver, Thalia, Karis, Kayla, Chloe, Levi, John Paul, Charlie, Juliet and Marjorie.

Douglas Powell Cloud, who was born in Wichita, Kansas, on February 9, 1941, went to be with our Lord on March 4, 2018, at the age of seventy-seven.

He graduated from high school when he was eighteen and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served honorably and remained in the Marine Reserves until 1966.

He attended the American Institute of Banking in Denver and started working as a banker for the Colorado National Bank. While there, he met his beautiful wife Mary after sending poems and chewing gum through the interoffice mail to woo her. He continued his banking career in Dallas with Texas National Bank. He transitioned into real estate, becoming a broker in 1975. He continued a successful career in Houston real estate for forty-five years.

He was loved by many and expressed his love and care for others, exhibiting Christ’s love for those less fortunate. He was a member of Lindale Church since 1975, where he served faithfully in many different capacities over the years. Everyone who spoke with him received an encouraging word and knew that, although he would speak softly, he spoke with wisdom and strength.

He is predeceased by his parents Kenneth Powell Cloud and Verlie Davis Cloud.

He is survived by his wife Mary Brunner Cloud; his children Pete Cloud (wife Brenda), Chris Cloud (wife Kim), and Andrea Cloud Wagner (husband Jason); his siblings Gina Rae Cloud of Bloomfield, California, Marshall Cloud of Tracy, California, and Maurice Cloud of Denver, Colorado; his five grandsons Jacob Cloud (whom he and his wife raised as their own), Anthony Guevara, Joseph Cloud, David Cloud, and Lynox Cloud; his sister-in-law Francey Thorne; and his nephews Paul Thorne III (wife Lavender and their children Paul IV, Morgan, Chelsea, and Darby ) and Ted Thorne (wife Katiann and their children Layth, Rylan, and Jayce); and Brenda’s daughters Brandy Castillo, Rose Galanos, and Andrea Guerrero.

He was cherished and admired by so many!

Visitation at Lindale Assembly of God at 503 Reid Street, Houston, Texas at 10:00 A M with services at 11. Private Interment for family will be at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble Texas at 2:00 PM that date.

Clement Ho, age 19, died on Sunday, March 01, 2018, at Princess Margaret Hospital
after a long battle with his illness.

A quiet, studious child, Clement was known by his family and friends to be sharp, smart, and solitary. "He loved reading anything—comic books, textbooks, rhetoric—anything," said his brother. "He could debate Descartes with me. He was a special little boy." The budding philosopher was also a member of the chess team at his school, and had a mind for trivia. He liked to play strategy games with his friends and aspired to one day design board games.

The family would like to thank Princess Margaret Hospital for their dedication.

Richard John Britanik, Sr., of Oro Valley, AZ, died at home on Sunday, February 4, 2018. Richard was 85.

Richard was born in Braddock, PA on April 28, 1932, the firstborn of John Milan Britanik and Mary Tomko. He grew up in Braddock and North Braddock, and even though his family did not have much, he enjoyed a very happy childhood. Activities included building model airplanes and fitting them with motor parts, Sunday trips to a park where there was a field to fly the model planes, fishing with his dad, ice skating, roller skating, and car maintenance. Richard (also known as "Dick" by his family and friends, and later as "Rich"), was educated in the St. Thomas schools in Braddock. He received the 8th Grade Rotary Award given for scholarship, leadership, and citizenship, was a class officer during high school, and worked at a drug store and a gas station. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1950.

After graduation from high school, Richard worked in a lumbar yard and attended Saturday night dances held at Hartman Junior High. During one of these dances in January, 1952, he met the love of his life and began a courtship with Joan Safran. They dated and spent time with friends, going to movies, bowling, and dances at the outdoor ballroom in Kennywood Park. When the Korean War broke out, and prior to being drafted, Richard entered the Air Force in December, 1952. He and Joan continued their courtship and on April 24, 1954, were married at St. William Catholic Church in East Pittsburgh, PA.

Richard, who became known as "Brit", served in the Air Force for 20 years. He worked on planes on the flight line and was trained in the field of metrology, the calibration of instruments. Besides his tours of duty, including French Morocco, he was stationed in Savannah, GA, where Rick, Jr. and David were born, then Tampa, FL, where Tony and Stephanie were born. Next it was on to San Vito dei Normanni, Italy, where John was born (actually in Tripoli, Libya). The last station was in Chicopee, MA, where Richard retired from the Air Force on December 31, 1972. Richard enjoyed time with his wife and family and shared activities he had enjoyed in childhood, such as fishing and model airplanes, as well as photography, trips to the shooting range, model railroading, and Saturday morning pancakes and cartoons. "Brit and Joanie", along with their growing family, had many adventures together during their Air Force years and made several lasting friendships.

Richard started civilian life with a job at Gould - Ocean Systems Division in Cleveland, OH, where he worked in the metrology lab, ultimately as lab manager, as well as a quality manager, until his retirement in 1993. During his time at Gould (which later became Westinghouse), he completed an associate degree in professional management at John Carroll University. He and Joan had the pleasure of owning their own home, where Richard put his "Mr. Fix-It" skills to good use, spending time on projects and "puttering" in the basement for relaxation.

In June, 1997, Richard and Joan "went west" with a move to Oro Valley, AZ. "Black Bart and Calamity Jane" enjoyed exploring Arizona together and decorating their home and yard with local artwork, pottery, and plants. Richard continued his long time interest in photography, enjoying outdoor photography as well as indoor projects, and joined two photography clubs, where he submitted several prize-winning photos. In later years, he still enjoyed browsing through various photography magazines and books, keeping up with family and friends, the news, weather, and football (especially Clemson), watching westerns, and of course, "chocolate cake".

Richard was a quiet man, kind and gentle even in childhood, a generous man, neat, hard-working and resourceful, had many skills, an "artistic eye", and good sense of humor. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and words cannot express how much he is missed.

Richard is survived by his wife Joan; children Richard (Karen) Britanik, Jr. of The Woodlands, TX, David (Kerry) Britanik of Makakelo, HI, Anthony Britanik of Oro Valley, AZ, Stephanie (Thomas) Stage of South Euclid, OH, and John (Lana) Britanik of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren Monica (James) Jacobi of Los Angeles, CA, Andrea Britanik of The Woodlands, TX, and Ian Britanik; sister Mary Margaret Schildknecht of Canonsburg, PA; sister-in-law Marcene Franz of Oro Valley, AZ; brothers-in-law James Franz of Oro Valley, AZ and Anthony Safran, Jr. of Tucson, AZ; and his cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Britanik; brother Ronald Britanik; sister-in-law Donna Safran; and brothers-in-law William Schildknecht, Sr. and Patrick Safran, Sr.

A graveside memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ.

Ronald Lee Kesterson was born in Houston, Texas on Nov 2, 1954. Graduated from Dulles High School in Stafford, Tx. He served his country in the U. S Navy from 1973 to 1975, receiving the National Defense Service Medal and honorable discharge.
He worked many jobs including garbage truck drive, concrete truck driver and various courier services in and around Houston.
He loved to watch old westerns, John Wayne was his hero. Also, NCIS or JAG, anything with a naval theme to it. The only card game he liked was solitaire and he played it all the time while listening to old Rock N Roll.
In the latter years, he became disabled and took care of our bother Kevin while they lived at our parent’s house along with his son Adam. More recently you could see him cruzing around Fresno on his motorized scooter, collecting aluminum cans to supplement his income.
He is survived by his daughter, Laura 35, son Adam 30. Brothers, Bruce and Kelly and sisters Donna and Karen along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by Father Boyce, mother Rose Marie, older brother Larry, brother in Law Donald and nephew James.
Visitation at Affinity Memorial Center Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 10 A M to Noon followed by services at Houston National Cemetery Chapel at 1:00 PM with honors by the U S navy. He will be laid to rest at Houston National Cemetery.

Bernice's story will be posted later today.

Victoria and Samantha Corrodus 14, of Pompano Beach, FL Passed Peacefully on Wednesday February 15, 2018 at Holy Cross Hospital is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Victoria and Samantha were taken from us during the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. They were smart, loving, caring, and strong girls who brightened any room they entered. They loved the lord and were active members at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church they served church board, founded V.O.Y. (Voices of Youth), Praise Team members, ushers and helped found the precious pearls a youth outreach program for the community.

It is an especially sad day because grief for the loss of a child or two in my case this is hardest to bear. When an old person dies we may grieve, but we can accept more readily that a life has been lived and has drawn to its inevitable close. But when a child dies, we mourn not only the life that was, but also the life that might have been. Death is as natural as life. All that have life have beginning and end. Nature is permanent in this world. The world is now a much poorer place without our honey bun and honey bee. How do we know? We know this by remembering that the world was once enriched by both of there presences. And what a presence they had!

I long to see honey bun and honey bee knocking on my door to visit me. Victoria and Samantha were always so anxious to learn. I spent many wonderful hours sharing my knowledge and experience with them both! i wanted to raise both of my girls to be wise and intelligent. I never got the chance to tell them both that their innocent wisdom and intelligence actually taught me many things.

We all want Victoria and Samantha to live again. It is your individual vision and the recounting of their legacy that will bring them back to life. So please Speak of them often, for stories and memories are truly an afterlife. Their legacy is worthwhile and their lives will be honored when recounted time after time.

Speak of their sweetness. Tell others about their lack of prejudice. Talk of their kindness towards people and animals. Emulate their grace, poise, sense of fair play and being a good sport. In doing so, you will honor her legacy. Express your love for their memory and i promise you they will live again through us!

What can we learn from her tragic death? We can all learn to be more aware of the valuable short life we have. We can be reminded to drive slowly and carefully. We can justify taking extra time to love our children, our nieces and nephews, our grandchildren, and our precious friends.

I know Victoria and Samantha would want you to slow down and share the flowers on the vine of life with the ones you love. Remember them and they will live again!

I love you honey bun and honey bee!