Jasper Newton Sweat

Dad’s Eulogy by Mark I want to talk about the ways that Dad helped me over the years. I think he helped my siblings and many of you in the same ways. I know it was important to Dad to help others and gave him joy. Through my life Dad provided me with a strong support system that I could count on. He was a great safety net that made it easier to go through life. I can’t tell you the confidence and tranquility this has given me. I appreciate this most when I think about other people I know whose parents could not or did not provide this. I always knew if something bad happened, if I got sick, or hurt, that Dad would be there and would help me and my family. Dad also supported in less dramatic things like paying for my college tuition, and co-signing the loan for my first car. When my new girlfriend bought a new condo and couldn’t stand the Adobe White interior paint color, and won’t be happy until it was “off white, with a touch of gray”. I called Dad for help. Dad showed up and helped me paint the whole inside of the condo. Dad gave support differently than your typical TV family father. He didn’t give me big bear hugs, tell me how great I was, brag to friends about my achievements, or, tell me how proud he was of me when I graduated. He had his own ways of supporting. Dad supported me by being a dependable, stable and good person. He and my mom stayed together so that I was parented by two great people. He always worked and provided for his family. He provided a great example of how to conduct myself and treat others. Dad had a great moral compass without being righteous or preachy about it. I can think of many times where I made the right choice because I’d seen my Dad do the right things. All of these things provided me and family with love and security Dad was financially secure. Money was important to Dad. But it was important in a way that was different than other people. Like many who grew up during The Great Depression, Dad knew what it was to be cold, hungry, and uncertain about the future. Dad wanted to earn money so he could pay his own way, he wanted money that he could save for security in hard times, and finally if there was enough left over he wanted the luxury to help others. Dad never gave cash gifts to blow or spend on frivolous items. He helped us all with money for essential things like health, education and housing. He paid for his friend Paul Vallette’s funeral. Later he helped Paul’s daughter several times while she was raising 4 grandkids and was out of money. Dads supported us with his incredible physical energy and drive to get things done. Plain and simple, Dad could do a lot of work and was willing to do it for anyone who needed help. I remember my brother telling me about Dad helping his daughter Kimberley after she bought a house and need help with some work in the yard. Dad got involved and like any project Dad did he was driven to complete the job expediently. Kimberley asked Tom why Dad would do all of this hard work for her. Tom told her he was showing his love and support for her accomplishment of buying her first home. All of us can think of many times Dad supported us the same way. When dementia started to take hold of Dad and arthritis in his back weakened his legs it was very difficult for me; much harder to deal with than I had expected. After some time I realized that I was processing that Dad could longer be the powerful support system I had enjoyed my whole life. Something that had been a fundamental part of my life was gone. I know that I and my siblings will think about him often for the rest of our lives and remember his love and support. Please take moment of silence now to think of Dad and something he did for you. I would make him feel so good to receive your kind thoughts