My father, Ralph Leonard Blackman, died early in the morning on December 23, 2013 at the age of 89.
My father was a good man.
He loved animals and old movies and candy.
He never complained about things that happened to him and he never talked about anyone behind their back.
He was a straight shooter, an outstanding athlete and sportsman, a true patriot who had great pride in our country and his service to it.
I wish that you could have seen him in his younger years; he was so damn handsome; when he walked into a room all the women would turn to look at him.
He had great style and charm.
He had a beautiful speaking voice, a marvelous laugh and could communicate so much by raising an eyebrow or moving his eyes.
My father was a winner.
I could never thank my father enough for all that he taught me, for all that he did for me, for never giving up on me, for telling me, as the days grew short, that he was proud of me, that he loved me.
Thank you for being such a good father to me.
I will always love you and miss you.
I take such great pride in being your son.
When I was a boy you were my hero.
You still are Dad.
I hope to be with you again.
Jeffrey
