Barry Allen Edwards

Hello, hello, anyone there? It's me, Barry Allen Edwards. If you're reading this, then you know what it means. Somehow, I made it 74 years. Born 7/30/50, made it till 11/19/24! I'm not sure why the big Guy chose to keep me around for as long as he did? I guess He was thinking about my two kids, Brian (married to Claudia) and Jen (married to Jon).
I had a good life. After leaving the US Navy, I found my calling with the Federal Courts in Chicago (I've got some stories to tell!), and then in Austin; but my best life was when I lived with my brother, Steve, in Fayetteville, NC. That was true happiness. I had family, a job helping my best friend, and no major pressure in life. Outside of my ailments, life was pretty darn good. I know this isn't your typical obituary, but it's mine, and I can say whatever I want.
After Steve passed away, life just wasn't the same. I felt like it should have been me because Steve was the best of us. I struggled with Steve's death for a long time until Jen and Jon moved me from North Carolina to Southern California, and they rescued me from my pain, the physical and the mental.
Jen and Jon did everything they could to take care of a grumpy and stubborn old man. I'm just sorry I didn't tell them often, but I was truly grateful for all they did for me. Sorry if I was a PITA.
Then there is my son, Brian, and suffice it to say, he is a bit too much like me. But thankfully he found his wife, Claudia, so he shouldn't be as much of a pain as I was. And while Brian wasn't there every day like Jen and Jon, he showed me love in his own way, much like I did for most people. I will always be thankful for all the life stories we shared with each other.
I would have liked my niece, Melinda, and nephews, Aaron and Ryan, to know how much it meant to spend time with them and get to know them as adults. Their father was so proud of them, and I can't wait to see him again. And Susie, she is such an amazing woman. How could I say enough, yet I know I never did. I'm sorry Susie, I just wasn't good with words, but you've been so incredible to our family. Please know I appreciated all your meals, your caring, and checking up on me. Thank you for that, truly.
I wish I had spent time with more of my family. I'm sure the rest of my siblings will beat the sh!t out of me for not looking out for their kids better. Jerry will sure as sh!t have words for me not showing up when Bryan came as far as he did for his uncle's service, but I just couldn't do it. It hurt too bad, and I'd lost too many already.
I have to mention good friends like Jennifer Burt who didn't need to care about this old man, but never stopped checking on me, bringing me groceries and meals, and keeping in touch with Jen before she moved me to SoCal; my old friend John in Texas with whom I could fish forever on his lake; my favorite girls from Angel's Icehouse in Spicewood, Texas. Outside of family, those are some of the friends I will never forget.
In the end, I was taken care of by some of the most unforgettable group of people I'd be lucky enough to meet. The team of Caregivers at Heavenly Home, Golden Coast Hospice, were caring, funny, compassionate and giving. At Heavenly Home, I was treated like a person as opposed to a patient; but most importantly, I was treated monumentally better than I had been at other places. Laying out my last chapter in that Heavenly Home is a gift for which I am eternally grateful. I'm comforted to have left this earth surrounded by good people and loved by my family.
Well, I could go on and on, but then I would just bore you to death, and then you would be here with me. So, with that, please find peace in your life and love in your heart, even for those who may have wronged you. When you are lying in bed, not because you want to, but because you have no choice, you do a lot of thinking. I did plenty of thinking, but I never shared much. I think my family figured me out though. Don't make yours do that. Talk to them, let them in, tell them how you feel so you can leave knowing things aren't left unsaid.
I may not leave this world as a perfect father, but the love I have in my heart for my children is perfect. I hope it is perfectly understood that I loved Jen more than Brian and I loved Jon more than Jen but I loved TV more than any of those sh!ts. With that, I'm out. Appreciate Ya'!
Military Services to come, as we would like to include friends and family who would like to join us in Southern California. Please notify Jen or Brian.