Another funeral

For the second time this year (already!), I went to a funeral.  This was more of a "celebration of life" shindig, and it was very much in line with the deceased's life. 

He was a coworker of mine when I worked at the prison, and he was great.  I worked partly as an assistant for him, helping him keep track of everything that was going on in his department, creating forms, keeping him updated on things, and just generally getting him whatever he needed (my official title, "operations secretary," left my job description wide open!).  He, in turn, taught me so much about the environment we worked in, talked incessantly about his family (I loved that - he had a son in kindergarten at the time), always had on cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, and had a great sense of humor.  I discovered that he couldn't bend at the waist (apparently tight hamstrings in the legs?  i don't know, it was downright hilarious), type faster than two words per minute (hence me typing up all his stuff), and all his hiding places around the facility when I needed to track him down (whenever I'd find him, I could hear a "oh NO, she found me!" in the background).  I've thought of him often since I left the facility and was so saddened to hear of his untimely death last week, at work of all places.  They think it was a heart attack, but he was long gone when they found him in his office.

His wife put together a fabulous celebration at Old Tucson Studios for his "funeral."  He was there, in an urn, surrounded by pictures of his family, friends, work, hobbies, and fun times.  Since he'd also worked at Old Tucson for so long (I think his wife is still there), they had no problem giving the space up on a Saturday afternoon for him.  So many friends, family, and coworkers were there - I estimated between 250-300 - and wonderful memories of him recounted.  I cried when I saw his now-9-year-old son put his head down on the table at one point and weep, and when they put out a last call over the radios for him (correctional officers are also law enforcement).  Just...sad.  However, I was glad to have seen so many people I used to work with there, I just wish it had been happier circumstances.

He was only 56 years old.  Taken way, way too soon.

I also need this trend of a funeral a month to STOP IMMEDIATELY.  I don't think my poor emotional state will be able to handle any more this year.