Thursday, June 6, 2024
I miss you dearly Dad. You worked tirelessly to ensure your two kids had every opportunity to succeed. I wanted to leave Chico State (which we shared a love for) to attend school in Oregon. Why? I really like sports. Sigh. The tuition is six times more expensive. You served the county of San Benito (another shared love) for close to half a century. Fiscally unreasonable but…you knew how much I loved sports. I am eternally grateful. Thank you for the green eyes and the coolest car in high school. Thank you for taking me on a Summer vacation to any destination I wanted. You raised a unique one; but hiking to the highest point in Newfoundland was awesome!
You made endearing efforts to try and ‘bond’ with me. Your happy place was working n a Buick or reading the San Jose Mercury. You had me when you were 46. I genuinely feared that I would lose my parents at an early age. Mom’s age is officially unknown; but she’s as sharp as the day I left for college. At 75 you would check-in to see if my beloved hockey was still miserable. I know you would regularly tune in to Duck football games and then enthusiastically describe highlights. You hate sports! Our limited commonalities included extreme introversion, good nature and an appreciation for Johnny Cash.
I wanted to mention how much he loved his second family at the assessor’s office. More often than not: if my father initiated a conversation it was to enthusiastically tell me about his second family at work. The secretary I never met, but spoke with for over a decade of trying to reach Dad at work. The new employees that had futuristic skills like typing and using the interwebs. I learned to respect that Dad had a zero tolerance policy for technology.
He owned hundreds of country music cassettes but would put his fingers in his ears if I dared try and teach him that finding Merle Haggard, Dolly, Cash, Reba and Willie was easy. If I found an article or photo that I wanted to share, I knew I had to print it out. I can only imagine how many of you wonderful people helped him remain in 1990 and continue a career he loved. I do not believe I met a single coworker; but I feel like I heard glowing comments about everyone.
Dad was extremely friendly, but not one to engage in much of a social life. I know the daily interactions He had at the office with employees, young and old were invaluable to him. You never liked groups, crowds or cities. Being raised on a cattle ranch without a father, surely made him comfortable alone. Growing up I always wondered why Dad did not have friends. It makes me extremely happy to realize that you guys were his friends and second family, whether you knew it or not
You were quietly the best man I have ever known. I know your San Benito County ties date back generations. If I mentioned a friend from track practice; you would know the entire lineage by last name alone. I love San Benito County and hope you were not disappointed that your only son established roots elsewhere.
Thank you Dad! I love you.
Ryan Roysten Lewis
