Missing my daddy today, every day.

I, like many of you, drift in and out of daydreaming throughout each day.  While I drift in and out, I think of my dad.  I still have such an incredible pull to want to pick up the phone and call him while I am eating lunch at my desk.  Or, I would wait till around 2:00 pm, right around the time I knew he would be getting ready for his daily siesta, and I would call him just to wake him up.  Yes, I am devious like that.  I would say "Oh, sorry dad, did I wake you up".  He would laugh and tell me, "yes, like usual".  I also used to call him every day on my commute home.  My commute is very lonely without my dad.

I just thought I would check in with anyone who might still check this blog.  This picture was taken one year ago at my babies one year old birthday party.

We miss you Grandpa big Dick!

My dad, the dancing fool

We have so many memories of my father dancing at different weddings.  He really liked to boogie and took his dancing very seriously.  He did the splits on more than two occasions, causing the world to stop for everyone who witnessed the stealthy move.  My dad really knew how to cut a rug, I will give him that!

Remembering

I am not sure if anyone would be checking this blog post my dad's funeral but I wanted to express my most heart felt gratitude to all those who participated in my father's services.  From the Patriot Guard to all the other riders who were there to pay tribute to a Vet as well as just a wonderful man, I thank you.  You all made the day as my father would have coined it "really bitchen".

I look back on April 11, 2013 with more pride than I could ever imagine.  Seeing all of those men and women standing at attention, holding the American flage, while my father's family walked through those doors to say their last goodbyes, just brings tears to my eyes.  To see riders drive next to the car holding my father's casket and salute, fills my heart so much emotion.  To witness the lines of bikes on the road to secure safe route to my father's final resting place has burned an eternal image into my memory that will never fade.  My father would have been bursting with pride, I know that.

My family will never forget everyone who came out to remember my father, to talk about my father and to celebrate his beautiful life.  The Burrus family thanks you. 

My father's friend Vivian White recently sent the below two pictures of my dad during Spring Break in 1963.  I had never seen these pictures in my life.  I am so happy to have them now.  Look at little Ricky Burrus. 

UPDATE AND REVISION TO THE TIME!!!!! 10 AM Pacific

Good afternoon,

Please note that I made a mistake on the time of the Rosary and Memorial.  It will take place at 10:00 AM Pacific on Thursday, April 11, 2013. 

Griffin Family Funeral Chapel

101 E. Wilbur Road

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (805) 230-2800

Following the memorial, we will travel to the Conejo Mountain Cemetery. 2052 Howard Road Camarillo, CA 93012 The Patriot Guard will take lead on the drive from the Chapel to the Cemetery. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at my email address or phone: ktburrus@yahoo.com 858-336-4198 With love, Katie Burrus, daughter of the coolest guy ever!

Ricky Burrus

Dearest friends and family of Rick Burrus,

It is with all the sadness in my soul to write that my father passed away this morning at 11:20 am.  He was surrounded by his family.  We all held his hands while he made a gentle transition from this world into the next.  Though everyone who knows my father already realizes we had an angel on this Earth, we now know for sure there is an amazingly tough, good looking, very funny, incredibly witty, albeit "short" angel now in heaven.  Little Ricky Burrus was and is truly loved by all who were blessed to know him.  It was incredibly difficult to say goodbye, so we did not, we just said "until then....".  We let Dad know that everyone loved him and supported him and appreciated the incredible fight he gave.

Before he was sedated, we played Dad the ASU fight song and we said out loud... A S U!
We have just arrived home from the hospital and we have hung his ASU flag outside his home and we are wheeling out his motorcycle as a tribute.  As you know he loved both passionately.

To all his dear friends and family who faithfully prayed and who have sent us your love and support, we all thank you in the Burrus household.  Please know that you all held so much joy in my father's heart.

We will all come together to celebrate my father, your friend, very soon.  Please keep checking this blog as I will keep you updated on upcoming arrangements.

With love and condolences for your loss,
Katie

Thinking of my father

May I ask that all of Rick's family and friends think and pray for my father today of all days?  Do you know that my father had a jacket embroidered that read "Derk, Amber and Katie's Dad"?  He wore that jacket every day for years while I was growing up.  He would wear it to both mine and Amber's millions of soccer games that he attended.  He was so proud of his kids that he actually wore a jacket that let every stranger in the world know who's father he is.  My dad is just that kind of guy.  What an amazing father I have.
I just wanted to share how proud of my father that I am on a daily basis.  He is the most amazing man, most wonderful father a girl could want.
Please think of some times that you shared with my father today.  We need everyone thinking of him today so he can feel it deep inside.

I will continue to keep you posted and I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend.

Warm regards,
Ricky's daughter

Really great article on our hope for dad

For all those interested in what the doctors are considering for my father, please read the below article.  It is extremely informative, not overly medical in writing style.  My father is not yet healthy enough for this device but if he can get stronger, the VAD device is the end goal.

http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/health_articles/from-the-brink