OUR DAD
(This eulogy, composed by Ambert Wilkin's sons after his death, was
delivered by
his son, Gary, at the funeral, at Case Chapel, Saginaw, Michigan, June
21, 1968.)
Our dad was the center of
our family life, meals were planned on his arrival home from work. Our
acts of the day, be they good or bad, were discussed then. He corrected
us when needed. He taught us right from wrong. He taught us to love the
great outdoors.
As soon as we were old enough,
we went along with him fishing or hunting. He taught us safety in swimming
and handling of guns, and the maintenance of shoes, bikes and baseball
mitts.
When in school, he helped
us with our study by giving us encourgement.
Our father was a great comfort
to us when we were ill. Just his presence made us feel better.
In service, when I was lonely,
his letters would brighten my spirit. I've kept his letters to this day.
In my father's endeavors,
he always saw things through. He was a stickler for making sure it was
done right.
He was a strong union man
dating back to when he worked in the forge. I've heard my father mention
about his old friends at work who had passed on before retirement. He,
himself, was looking forward so much to an early retirement, and a more
relaxed life at Tower, Michigan, where he loved to be with his grandchildren
and to fish and hunt.
He had more friends than
I had realized as I have seen them come to pay their last respects. I have
never met a person that had a bad thing to say about my father, though
some did not agree with his beliefs as he was a strong Democrat.
My father never possessed
a prejudice of any kind in regards to a man's color, his race or religion.
He judged men for their quality and character. I can testify to this, for
his friends are the nicest fellows I know.
He had the gift of "Gab"
and a "Dry" sense of humor which made us laugh, often though it was after
the merriment, that his full depth of wit was understood. He was a compassionate
father who didn't need to be prompted to help a sick or needy neighbor,
friend or relative.
He always was a good provider.
We never worried where the next meal was coming from, or about ever finding
an empty sock on Christmas morning or the lack of a birthday gift.
In recent years, his joys
have been his daughters-in-law and grandchildren, lie captured the hearts
of both.
Of all his hobbys, fishing
was the one he liked the most. Few things were more dear to him than a
few hours at his favorite fishing spot with close friends.
It cannot always be honestly
said a man was a good man, but Ambert Wilkins was a good man.
We went to him for advice
with the assurance that his experience and wisdom would shed new light
on problems and decisions. He did not disappoint us.
He dealt fairly in all his
financial dealings and never failed to pay his debts.
I think I took him for granted
while he was living. We loved him very much, and if there were more men
like him in this world, it would be a lot better place to live.
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