My father was a sweet and gentle man. Many who have known him through the various stages of his life, have said that about him. For a man who lived a life of Christian discipleship, I can’t think of a better epitaph than that

My father grew up on a farm near Cridersville, Ohio, the son of a hard-working, share-cropping farmer and a preacher’s daughter who always kept her family close to the church. They always shared whatever they had with others. And the only way farmers of that time could survive was by neighbors helping neighbors. What a wonderful example to live your life by.

Dad met Alberta in 1924, in 9 ^th grade, when she and her family moved to the Cridersville area. From that point on she was the love of his life. Since they came of age during the time of the Great Depression, life was economically tough and they didn’t marry until 1936. Even then, life was a struggle and they lived with Mom’s parents until I was born in 1940. They were married for 71 wonderful years and were closer than any two people I have ever known. In Dad’s last few days, as we were visiting him in the nursing home, Pastor Bruce also came to visit. He remarked later that it was so touching to see them holding hands like a couple of sweet hearts – and that they were – always.

Alberta (also 96) fell in early July and suffered a fractured pelvis.  Her recovery has been slow but steady and she has moved from hospital, to nursing home, to assisted living where she is now.  She learned on Thursday, the day Dad died, that she needs medical tests this week and would not be able to travel to Lima and be with us here today.  We had a brief, private family service in North Carolina on Friday afternoon with just Alberta, Judy and me. Mom was, and is, very disappointed, but after Friday’s wonderful service, she is content. 

Dad was always helping others. When his brothers and sisters were going through some difficult marital times, he did his best to see that his nieces and nephews had some stability and fun during those tough times. His younger sister even lived with us for a while when she was having some difficult times.

He shared with young family members, who had less than we did at the time, as best he could. My cousin Jerry has told me a number of times that his mother often told him that if it had not been for Gerald McCune, he would have had some very bleak Christmases.

When my Grandpa McCune suffered a tragic farm accident, Dad took care of the farm, even while holding a full time job. Every day after work, we would drive out to the farm; feed the livestock, milk the cows and do whatever else was necessary. When my Grandpa Stombaugh, Mom’s father, was ill, Dad was working second shift and so, during the day, he looked after him, and cared for him while he convalesced in our spare bedroom.

After Dad retired and they moved to Indian Lake, he would always give a helping hand or loan tools to any neighbors that needed them. Almost anytime Frank Smith was working in the area, Dad was there helping him, just because he wanted to.

Although he was shy, Dad could step up and do what was necessary or important. He chaired a committee that formed and chartered a Cub Scout Pack at Washington School. He helped form a YMCA Knothole Basketball Program and then coached our team for several years. For many years afterwards, one of the leagues was even called the "McCune League".

When Dad first met Judy, she was 13 and I was 15, he knew right away that she was the one for me. I think he saw in us the spark of a relationship, like he and Mom had. He always treated Judy like a daughter and she has treated him like a father. Since Judy and I are both only children, our families became very close and we have shared much together. Judy is not with us today since she is home in North Carolina making sure that Mom gets the care she needs.

Mom and Dad always did everything they could for us. When we were first married they would visit and bring a basket of groceries and usually leave a 20 dollar bill somewhere that we could find it. They also kept us in cars while I finished college, grad school and an army tour.

After Brent and David were born they visited as often as they could. Christmases became a total family celebration (with both the McCunes and the Fletchers) at our house - wherever that might be. What wonderful celebrations they were!

When we moved to Texas, Mom and Dad decided to spend the winters near us so they could participate in the kid’s activities. Ours has been a truly wonderful family with Dad as an integral and keystone part of it.

Over the last few years, Alzheimer’s has slowly taken much away from Dad. Those of us closest to him are saddened by what is no longer there. Right up to the end, however, he retained those things that were most important to him. He knew us and how important we were to him. Even though he may have had trouble with our names, he would greet us with a big "Hi", and "How’s the gang?" He loved to hear his favorite Gospel music. Even during his last few days he would close his eyes and tap his fingers or nod his head in time to the music. He also retained his dry sense of humor right to the end. A nurse was giving him some small amounts of liquid to sooth his dry mouth and after he indicated he had enough, she said, "Are we good to go?" He replied, "Yeah, where we goin’?" and gave a little grin.

The nurses and caregivers that were close to him over the last several months only saw in him those things that were still bright and sparkling. Over and over again they would say, "He is such a sweet and gentle man". Yes he was! Dad, we will always remember you as such.