Jeffrey Marvin DeShields

My Daddy was my hero, my protector, and the strongest man I have ever known.
When I think about him, I think about the river, the laughter, the stories, and the way he made me feel safe no matter what. I think about every time I saw him, I´d say, "Hey, Daddy!" He´d always respond with, "Hey, Hun!"
As a little girl playing in the water at Horseshoe Falls, I remember me and Babysister screaming at the top of our lungs, "SNAKE!" We watched it swim right past us in the same swimming hole we were in. Daddy came running! He grabbed that snake by the tail, swung it around like a helicopter, and beat its head against a rock until it was no longer a threat to his babies. That was my Daddy - fearless when it came to protecting the people he loved.
I remember the time we both had broken collar bones at the same time. His came from a four-wheeler accident at Horseshoe Falls. We were climbing a hill when the four-wheeler flipped over on it´s back and he managed to hold it up long enough for me and Babysister to escape safely. Mine came from tripping at a family reunion, cutting a flip in mid-air, and landing wrong on my shoulder. Even in pain, he was still my tough Daddy - and somehow we made that memory one we could laugh about.
I remember sitting by the river listening to Hank Williams Jr., camping out while he and his buddies went frog-gigging, and feeling like there was no better place in the world to be.
Although we didn´t have much money, Mama and Daddy always found a way to take family vacations every year to Hilton Head Island. Those trips were full of sunshine, laughter, and memories that I will carry with me forever.
He taught me how to throw horseshoes and how to get it to flip just right for a perfect ringer. He had the patience to teach and the grin that said he was proud when I got it right.
I once called into work just because he wanted to take me fishing. That was the kind of man he was - and that was the kind of daughter I was proud to be.
I´ll never forget the day he walked all the way to my house - with a hernia - just because he wanted to see me. I pulled into the driveway after work and asked, "How did you get here?" And he said, like it was nothing at all, "I walked." We built a fire in the fire pit, drank a couple "cold beerzies," and later he whipped me in a game of darts. Even hurting, he just wanted to spend time with me.
He was always there. Whether it was helping me move into another house or helping me put away Christmas decorations, he showed up. Every single time.
His love was strong, steady, and sure. It didn´t waver. It didn´t falter. It was the kind of love you could stand on.
My Daddy wasn´t just strong in body - he was strong in heart. He showed me what it means to protect, to provide, to show up, and to love without hesitation.
And his hugs...his hugs were the best! Strong. Safe. Full of love.
I am who I am because of him. Everyone always says I look and act just like him. If I carry even a piece of his strength, his stubbornness, his loyalty, his humor, and his heart - then I know I´m doing something right. A part of him lives on in me every single day.
And though I will miss him every single day, I will carry his strength, his laughter, his lessons, and his love with me always.
Daddy, you were my hero then.
You are my hero now.
And you always will be.
Rest easy, Daddy! Until we meet again!
With all my love, Ashley

My Daddy was my hero, my protector, and the strongest man I have ever known.
When I think about him, I think about the river, the laughter, the stories, and the way he made me feel safe no matter what. I think about every time I saw him, I´d say, "Hey, Daddy!" He´d always respond with, "Hey, Hun!"
As a little girl playing in the water at Horseshoe Falls, I remember me and Babysister screaming at the top of our lungs, "SNAKE!" We watched it swim right past us in the same swimming hole we were in. Daddy came running! He grabbed that snake by the tail, swung it around like a helicopter, and beat its head against a rock until it was no longer a threat to his babies. That was my Daddy - fearless when it came to protecting the people he loved.
I remember the time we both had broken collar bones at the same time. His came from a four-wheeler accident at Horseshoe Falls. We were climbing a hill when the four-wheeler flipped over on it´s back and he managed to hold it up long enough for me and Babysister to escape safely. Mine came from tripping at a family reunion, cutting a flip in mid-air, and landing wrong on my shoulder. Even in pain, he was still my tough Daddy - and somehow we made that memory one we could laugh about.
I remember sitting by the river listening to Hank Williams Jr., camping out while he and his buddies went frog-gigging, and feeling like there was no better place in the world to be.
Although we didn´t have much money, Mama and Daddy always found a way to take family vacations every year to Hilton Head Island. Those trips were full of sunshine, laughter, and memories that I will carry with me forever.
He taught me how to throw horseshoes and how to get it to flip just right for a perfect ringer. He had the patience to teach and the grin that said he was proud when I got it right.
I once called into work just because he wanted to take me fishing. That was the kind of man he was - and that was the kind of daughter I was proud to be.
I´ll never forget the day he walked all the way to my house - with a hernia - just because he wanted to see me. I pulled into the driveway after work and asked, "How did you get here?" And he said, like it was nothing at all, "I walked." We built a fire in the fire pit, drank a couple "cold beerzies," and later he whipped me in a game of darts. Even hurting, he just wanted to spend time with me.
He was always there. Whether it was helping me move into another house or helping me put away Christmas decorations, he showed up. Every single time.
His love was strong, steady, and sure. It didn´t waver. It didn´t falter. It was the kind of love you could stand on.
My Daddy wasn´t just strong in body - he was strong in heart. He showed me what it means to protect, to provide, to show up, and to love without hesitation.
And his hugs...his hugs were the best! Strong. Safe. Full of love.
I am who I am because of him. Everyone always says I look and act just like him. If I carry even a piece of his strength, his stubbornness, his loyalty, his humor, and his heart - then I know I´m doing something right. A part of him lives on in me every single day.
And though I will miss him every single day, I will carry his strength, his laughter, his lessons, and his love with me always.
Daddy, you were my hero then.
You are my hero now.
And you always will be.
Rest easy, Daddy! Until we meet again!
With all my love, Ashley