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Richard Mey Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Mey
Sponsored by Linda Mey.
March, 2004
Richard Mey
April 10, 2011
Linda Mey
February 4, 2006
It is now going into the sixth month since Rick died and much of my time has been reflecting on the memories we built together. It is my hope this letter will honor his memory.
The East Indian culture has a custom where the immediate family dresses their dead for burial -it is a way to show their respect, love, and devotion to the deceased. The beauty of this love reminded me of the birth of all our sons. When Ricky, our first born was ready to leave the hospital in his first newborn clothes, Rick decided he would dress his son. Rick had to fight the nurse because she thought Rick too young -afraid he would mishandle and hurt our newborn son. Rick was determined to do this and no nurse or any authority was going to prevent him from doing so. I remember feeling embarrassed over Rick being so adamant to do this task. At the time I didn't understand why this was so important to him. He kept this tradition with all of his sons. Thirty six years later I realized he was dressing them for life. Rick spent a lot of time embarrassing me like when Ricky was born, the next morning at 6:00 A.M. two nurses came into my room and asked if I was the Linda Mey whose husband called the radio station to let the DJ know his wife gave birth. He not only called one station he called them all... He always did go overboard with things. I came across a note on how Donald saw his Dad. He said, "Dad always tell people what's on his mind if he thinks its important, he'll find a way to let them know." Everyone that knows Rick will say this describes his character. I have spent years trying to get him to "soft-pedal" his remarks. As I gotten older, I toned down my objections for I knew his words had truth and wisdom. This is what I am going to miss the most about him - he helped shape and mold me with his wisdom.
So if you ask me what do I miss about Rick? I miss how he made me laugh... the sense of peace and stabilty he provided with his wisdom. I will miss his constant desire to learn new things, opening the world to me. His compassion that taught me to be gentle, and looking beyond the obvious and see things most do not see. He was so profoundly awed by these words which led him to believe is how the world is...
"we don't see things as they are
we see them as we are..."
Dawn (Reed) Long
July 12, 2004
To the Mey Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss.I remember Rick fondly when I was a kid. He always had the best advice. I know the sorrow of what you are feeling having lost my dad (Walter Reed) a year and a half ago,it is a real trying time right now and I'm not saying it gets any easier, its just that knowing he is watching over you from above and that he is with the Lord eases the pain a little. May God Bless you at this time, and May God hold your burdens in his hands to ease your heavy hearts.. Your in my families thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Gary & Diane (Mey) Johnson
June 25, 2004
I was extremely blessed to reconnect with Ricky after so many years. We wrote back and forth real long letters,trying to get caught up on what each others families were doing these days and reminising on our childhood days. I am so happy we had that special time to share with each other. It meant so much to me.
Ricky talked very highly of his entire family and thinks the world of each and every one of you and is extremely proud of all your accomplishments. God Bless each and everyone of you.
Oh Yes! Ricky couldn't believe that I still called him Ricky. I could just see him laughing when he said "Nobody calls me Ricky anymore."
As you carry on your Dad's legacy,there will be many winding roads to follow. So,when you feel that tap on your shoulder or your "special angel" holding your hand-you will know that your Dad is leading you in the right direction once again.
Cousin Ricky you are one of a kind. God Bless You.
Jackie Spear
June 19, 2004
Richard, I never had the opportunity to meet your Father, but through our conversations in pmails, he left an incredible impression on my life. “We are not too old to learn”, and I now believe it, as I learned so much more from him. I will miss all the nice heartfelt talks we had, and I enjoyed some special moments talking to him.
I have a feeling, that he is reading all the great tributes to him, and knows how much everyone respected and loved him. He’ll be missed, but not forgotten.
May you find some comfort knowing that he is in God’s arms, and resting in peace.
Jackie Spear, Hempstead,Texas (Blaze, azfamily)
Carol C.
June 17, 2004
Rick was probably what you would call the 'backbone' of the discussion boards. His advice was always sound. There was no question that he was an authority on most subjects. We miss him, and will continue to do so for a very, very long time. I did have the opportunity to meet him in person and will always be grateful for that opportunity. God bless his family; he loved you so much and told us often (a lesson we all should remember).
Joanie (Sam) Bradsher
June 17, 2004
Gotta love it when a parent embarrasses a kid because they (the parent) are proud to be married!
That was one thing that always amazed me about Rick....his pride in his family and marriage in a time when the world seems to think that a strong lifetime love between two people is more of a fluke, rather than the norm. Rick begged to differ from that opinion, but never said it was easy to attain that state of wedded bliss. Told us all to work harder, try harder and we'd see a happier marriage because of it. He was right.
I didn't always agree with Rick's opinions, I thought he was to liberal thinking at times. Rick was always respected because although he might disagree with you, he was always a total gentlemen about it, and never held a grudge. You could see him argue a point with you on one topic, then see him offer his help to you on another.
Truely an amazing man who is now sharing his heavenly love and comfort in other ways, I'm sure.
It's great to love one's Dad, I love mine so much that I can't imagine the world without him. Rick was lucky to be so loved by his family and I grieve for your loss of your Father, Husband and Friend. He touched alot of lives during his time here. Many that had never seen him face to face, and only knew his mind and kindness.
We were all very honored to know him.
He will be missed, not only by the people that knew him personally, but by so many more than only knew him virtually.
I was lucky enough to share a few brewskis with him a time or two.
You guys are all in my prayers. God Bless the Mey family. I know that God already blessed Rick.
Beverly Hill
June 15, 2004
I knew Rick thru the AZ Family board,and tho I never met him personally I could tell he loved his family very much.
Rick was always respectful in his posts even with ones who strongly disagreed with him and for that reason I had great respect for him.
I never really knew my dad and often thought that Rick was the kind of Father I would have liked to have had.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all,I am so sorry for your loss of such a kind and loving husband, father and Papa...... Bev. AKA mesa on the boards.
David Weeks
June 15, 2004
Like many of the posters from the AZ Family boards I never had the pleasure of meeting Rick. However, for over 4 years he and I E-mailed each other often on many subjects or concerns. Rick always could find a 'silver lining' or give you that needed Cyber pat on the back. He was a dedicated worker with his many years with US West and Qwest as well as a true family man in addition to being a friend to many. His understanding perspectives on may issues and overall helpful/postive attitude will truly be missed. Your entire family can rest assured that he was a true and dedpendable Internet friend to myself and others who highly respected his experienced advice and suggestions about life. My life was enriched by getting to know Rick and I'm conviced you honestly had a "diamond in the rough." My sincere best wishes.
Lesli Andrus
June 15, 2004
I am one of the "Arizona Family" members, it seems strange how you can get to know people without ever meeting them. I was fortunate enough to meet Rick at a "poster" lunch last June, which only he and I, and my 1 year old daughter attended. I guess everyone else just wasn't able to make it that day. It was at Fridays at Bank One Ballpark, which was really cool for me, because I had never been there. We talked for an hour, and I could see how much he cared about his family in his conversation. I might not have always agreed with him, but I always had respect for his position. He had a way of expressing his opinion without demeaning or belittling anyone else's. I know the world is a better place because of him, but it won't be the same without him!
Love and Blessings to all his family!
Rosie (020202)
June 14, 2004
To the family of Rick Mey,
I am sorry for your loss, I knew him as a poster on AZFamily, I enjoyed going to see the pictures he had posted of his family on his
homepage. He will be missed.
May God Bless you at this time and always.
Crismon Cooper
June 14, 2004
Like many others, I met Rick on the discussion boards. I'm not sure what drove me to the boards, maybe a surplus of opinions that needed to be expressed. From my first appearance on the boards, and in spite of political differences, Rick welcomed me. We exchanged emails, talked about our backgrounds, about pain, happiness, and about being parents. Rick loved God and his family, and he showed it everytime he wrote an opinion. He wrote beautiful poems which allowed the lucky viewer a peek at his beautiful soul. Rick will be missed but he will always be with his family.
Julie Tippin
June 14, 2004
I met Rick on the azfamily boards. He was one of the most kindest, gentle men I never had the pleasure of meeting. Yet he offered me help with my car. He didnt even know me but offered to help because he knew I drove around for a living.
I will miss him so much. He never had a negative thing to say about anybody. Even ME! That tells everyone what a patient understanding man he was. He seemed to know that I am a jokester, but yet never met me. Though I say that, I feel like we have met. I remember looking at his family web page. I remember thinking how much he loved his grandkids. I (anyone) could tell by his website. They were his pride and joy. His children and grandchildren were so blessed to have a wonderful man like him in their lives. Always remember that. He loved people, he loved life. And thats what I learned from him from the boards...from his posts. If only I had met him. At least I had the privilidge of meeting him in other ways. His words are very special. God bless the Mey family!
Paula Ann Baer
June 14, 2004
Rick, I loved the thought, that you have made this for your Dad!
It's really a part of the healing, letting people know how much you honor and love your Dad.
I have a special memory of how in love your Dad was with your Mom,
I would like to share with you.
Your Dad would send me emails and one day, one was a questionaire and one of the questions was, what do you love or like more than anything?
He wrote "My Linda!"
That says it all!
Love, Paula Ann
Mama2autumn Azfamily Boards
June 14, 2004
I did not have the pleasure of meeting your father, some of the posters from the board did, but he did share his wisdom, respect, thoughts, prayers, and obvious love for his wife and family with us all.
He was very proud of his family and loved sharing you all with us. The love he shared with Linda was very deep.
He touched a part of all us on the Azfamily web boards, and helped some of us. Know how much we apprieciated his support through hard times and help when we needed it.
You have our love as a group and our prayers through your mourning process and will continue to have our prayers through the healing process as well.
If any of you need anything. Let us know.
Tina AKA mama2autumn
Fionn Downhill
June 14, 2004
Rick was a kind and wonderful man. We grew up in the same kind of home and he gave me much advice about forgiveness and healing. He never put anybody down. When nobody in the valley could be found to fix my solar system Rick stepped in. He has left a wonderful legacy to his family and I am sure he is sadly missed. It was a privledge to know him.
Dennis Baker
June 14, 2004
Richard,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Although I never met him, your beautiful, extremely well written eulogy explains why he must have been a very special and wonderful father, husband and great man. I am also sure he was extremely proud of you. I lost my father about 4 years ago, and can appreciate what you are going through.
Take heart, as I do, that he will forever be watching over you and your family.
Dennis & Debbie Baker
Diane Bailey
June 14, 2004
I sit in awe at the phenominal job he did in raising a child that could speak of him so highly after his passing. Although I only knew him because of the Az Family boards, it was obvious he was highly respected and loved by anyone that knew him. What his son had to say only confirmed the feelings that he brought out in others that he'd never even met. He lived by the standards he talked about to others.. so rare in today's society. He's left a great legacy for his family and anyone that was fortunate enough to have met and known him was made better for it... I'm glad to say I was one of them...
Rick G Mey
June 7, 2004
RICK MEY, OUR DAD
Oct. 5th, 1947-May 27th, 2004
MY FATHER WAS A VERY LOVING, INTELLIGENT, WISE, DIVERSE, AND RESPECTED MAN. MY MOTHER SAID IT BEST THIS WEEK WHEN SHE CALLED HIM A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN. I DOUBT THERE WAS LITTLE IN THIS WORLD HE DIDN’T KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT. HOWEVER, HE WASN’T JUST A JACK OF ALL TRADES, HE WAS A MASTER OF MANY THINGS. HE WAS A MECHANIC, ELECTRONICS SPECIALIST, HE WROTE POETRY AND SANG, HE ENJOYED SAILING AND MANY OTHER THINGS I DON’T HAVE THE TIME TO LIST.
HOWEVER, THE ROLE THAT HE WAS BEST AT WAS THE LEADER OF OUR FAMILY. HIS WAS A QUIET LEADERSHIP OF EXAMPLES. BY WATCHING HIM, WE LEARNED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT TRULY MATTER IN THIS WORLD.
HE TAUGHT US HOW TO BE STRONG OF FAITH, A HUSBAND, A FATHER, A FRIEND, AND A GRANDFATHER.
AS A CHRISTIAN MY DAD TAUGHT ME ABOUT FORGIVENESS. MY DAD GREW UP IN A DIFFERENT KIND OF HOME THAN THE ONE HE PROVIDED FOR US. HE COULD HAVE EASILY GROWN UP BITTER, MEAN OR VIOLENT, BUT INSTEAD HE CHOOSE TO FORGIVE. THIS ALLOWED HIM TO LIVE SUCH A FULL LIFE.
I KNOW MY DAD DIED WITH NO REGRETS, HE HAD A GREAT LIFE FILLED WITH HAPPINESS AND LOVE
THE EXAMPLES OF HIS GENEROUSITY / CHARITY / HUMILITY FLOW THROUGH ALL THE STORIES BEING SHARED WITH US BY HIS FRIENDS.
STRENGTH OF FAITH - HE SHOWED ME
SAYING I LOVE YOU, HUGS BETWEEN MEN, TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK AND SAYING I AM SORRY ARE NOT SIGNS OF WEAKNESS, BUT OF GREAT STRENGTH, WISDOM, AND CHARACTER.
AS A HUSBAND MY DAD TAUGHT ME LOVE IS A VERB. IT IS AN ACT OF DEVOTION. IT TAKES WORK FOR LOVE TO GROW AND CONTINUE TO GROW
IN JR. HIGH, I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE SOCIAL HUMILATION WHEN FOR OVER A YEAR MY PARENTS ANSWERED THE PHONE:
“HELLO, MEYS - WE BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE”
WHEN I COMPLAINED TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS HE SAID TO ME,
“ AT LEAST YOUR PARENTS ARE STILL MARRIED”
I LEARNED THAT DURING MARRIAGE YOU WILL ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IF YOU STICK TOGETHER AND FIGHT THROUGH THEM YOU CAN EMERGE EVEN STRONGER
MY FATHER WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL DAD. AS MY FATHER, HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A PARENT. THAT, TO BE A GOOD FATHER, YOU MUST FIRST AND FOREMOST BE A GOOD HUSBAND
YOU CAN NEVER BE TO BUSY, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY
HE TAUGHT US PATIENCE:
JAMES, DONALD, DANIEL, AND MYSELF. - PATIENCE- I DO HAVE TO SAY MUCH MORE.
HE SHOWED ME DISCIPLINE IS NOT A NEGATIVE. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE A HARD HAND, A BELT, OR A WHIP. DISCIPLINE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND IMPROVE.
OUR PARENTS HOUSE WAS THE PLACE TO HANG OUT WHEN WE WERE KIDS. HE WAS NOT ONLY A DAD TO HIS CHILDREN, BUT TO MANY OF OUR FRIENDS HE WAS LIKE A SECOND FATHER. MANY OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE CALLED AND STOPPED BY THIS PAST WEEKEND TO TELL US HOW DAD PLAYED SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART IN THEIR LIVES. I WANT TO YOU KNOW HE WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THERE WAS NO GREATER COMPLIMENT THAN TO KNOW YOU LOOKED TO HIM AS A FATHER FIGURE AND HE IS IMMENSELY HONORED BY YOUR THOUGHTS. HE THOUGHT OF ALL AS YOU AS EXTENDED FAMILY, SONS, AND DAUGHTERS.
MY DAD WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL FRIEND. HE BELIEVED THERE IS GOOD IN EVERYONE. THAT EVERYONE, - NO MATTER WHAT THEIR PAST, THEIR BELIEFS, OR BACKGROUND DESERVES AND NEEDS A TRUSTED FRIEND.
FRIENDSHIP MEANS SERVICE, MY DAD WAS HAPPIEST WHEN HE WAS NEEDED AND ENJOYED HELPING ALL OF YOU.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE DAY HE DIED, HE WAS SCHEDULED TO FIX A FRIEND'S CAR THAT MORNING. HELPING OTHERS GAVE HIM A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND PRIDE.
OF ALL MY DAD’S ROLES, I BELIEVE THE ONE HE ENJOYED THE MOST WAS GRANDFATHER OR “PAPA."
FROM WATCHING MY DAD AS “PAPA”
I LEARNED CHOCOLATE RAISENS AND REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS ARE THE BEST CANDIES BECAUSE THEY MAKE THE BIGGEST MESS.
KISSES ARE NOT TO BE RATIONED.
FROM ASKING MY CHILDREN TO TELL ME THEIR BEST MEMORIES ABOUT PAPA, I LEARNED BEING A PAPA MEANS IT IS TIME TO BE A KID AGAIN
THEY TALKED ABOUT
TRAINS
ROLLER COASTERS
OPENING PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
COMPUTER GAMES
SWINGING ON SWINGS
LOOKING FOR EASTER EGGS
PLAYING MONSTER AND HIDE N GO SEEK
TOYS, TOYS, TOYS, TOYS, AND MORE TOYS
SWIMMING
TICKLING
MUSIC AND SINGING
SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
NAPS
BOUNCING IN HIS KNEE
HOLDING HANDS
HUGS AND KISSES
MY DAD IS MY HERO, MY MENTOR, MY BEST FRIEND. I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH I WILL MISS HIM, AND I WILL TRY TO LIVE UP TO THE LESSONS HE TAUGHT US, BUT I KNOW I CAN NEVER LIVE THEM AS COMPLETELY AS HE DID.
Brenda Hogg
June 2, 2004
I did not know Rick very well, we were just getting to know him. He seemed like a very nice man and I am sorry we will not know him better. My prayers are with his family. God Bless.
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