This is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I simply can not believe that he is gone. Some of you know and to others, this will shock you almost as much as it did me.
My ex-husband, Jerry Ray Dye, has passed away.
November 13, 1954 to February 23, 2007
Our 16 year old son, Christopher explained the details of Jerry’s death to me in these words.
“I did not have a clue that my dad would die. He had gotten a little sick and went to the hospital to get some medicine but came home. A couple days later on Monday, I (Christopher) stayed the night off with a friend, but talked to him on the phone. The next day (Tuesday), my dad went to the hospital again with stomach pains. I just simply thought that it was a stomach bug and in a couple of days he would be fine. The next thing I know, he is totally out of it. My youth pastor came and got me out of class on Thursday afternoon and explained to me what had happened. My dad had gone into cardiac arrest 3 times, and then my dad was in a coma. I went to see him in the hospital that day (Thursday). What I saw were tubes every where. They were coming out of his nose and mouth. He had a dialysis IV in his neck. His liver and his kidneys both had shut down. It was an awful site. The next morning, my dad died.”
I have worked in ICU’s for the past 3 ½ years and am very familiar with the heartbreaking scenario. Oh how my heart just shattered for what my son had seen.
It is normal for the American culture to link divorce very closely to anger and hate, but this was absolutely not the case with Jerry and Me.
Jerry was truly the most amazing man I have ever known. He was gentle, humble, caring, forgiving, and much more. He never judged me or criticized me, especially in front of our son. He never denied me the opportunity to spend time with Christopher and even drove him to Florida a few times over the course of the last several years, as well as allowing me to come to his house on a few occasions to spend Christmas with Christopher and him. I was blessed to have spent this last Christmas with them, and I am ever so grateful to God for the awesome memory of it.
Jerry was the most phenomenal father!!! He loved Christopher very much. He would and did do anything for Christopher. He sacrificed much in his life, including remaining single, to raise our son. He just simply wanted to love Christopher and provide the best for him, and that is exactly what he did!
As I now sit in Kentucky awaiting for life’s changes to unfold, memories and fears flood my heart and my mind. I can not believe that Jerry is gone! I just simply can not believe it!!! Why Why Why?????
I will be in Kentucky indefinitely. I am currently staying with Jerry’s amazing mother, Pearl, and his sister Sharlette. Jerry also has two other siblings Carolyn and Harry. To let you know, they have all embraced me as I have them. They are very compassionate people who have also always had an open door for me.
I would like to share some photos of Jerry with you.
Jerry will be tremendously missed. He was loved by everyone who met him. There were no strangers…
Please pray for us. Today was the viewing, and tomorrow (2/28) is the funeral. It is devistating to say the least. There are a lot of decisions and transactions to be made. It will not be easy, but with Christ’s strength, we will make it through.
