We lost Ross' Pop this summer. It was a pretty hard loss. Although we knew his time on this earth was coming to an end, it was still sad to see him go. I had known Pop for 11 years, and from the first time I met him I have had nothing but the utmost respect for him, but also adore him and his sense of humor and love of family. He was a tall fella, but soft spoken. And he adored his bride Jinger. He was also a hero. Not only to his family and friends, but to his country. He served in the Pacific Islands during WWII. Having grown up during the Depression, he went on to make a wonderful life for his family and passed down a strong work ethic that I am proud to see in my husband everyday. At his funeral, when his dear friend John gave his eulogy I could only help but think that Pop would be so proud of his children and grandchildren and the fine qualities that shared of his legacy. Ross has such wonderful memories of his Pop and we are again reminded how grateful we our that our perfect Lord has orchestrated our lives so that we can see him again one day. Happy trails to you Pop, until we meet again.
Here's a copy of his obituary:
Jay E. "Pop" Hazelwood Jay E. "Pop" Hazelwood, 91, formerly of Amarillo and Midland, Texas, died Sunday, June 12, 2011, at his home in Westminster Manor, Austin, Texas. Born on March 5, 1920, in Megargel, Texas, he was raised during the Great Depression. In 1940, Pop enlisted in the U.S. Army Artillery and fought in the Pacific Campaign during World War II initially as a Forward Observer and later as a 2nd Lieutenant Reconnaissance Officer with numerous landings in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. Among other service medals, Pop received the Bronze Star and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After the war, he became a mechanical contractor and Vice President of Heating and Air Conditioning for Plains Plumbing Company in Amarillo where he worked for 30 years. After retirement, Pop traveled the world extensively with his beloved wife of 65 years, Venita "Jinger" Hazelwood. He is survived by wife (Jinger), son (Mark Hazelwood and wife, Gloria) and daughter (Niki Moshell and husband, Mark) along with grandchildren (Clay, David, Taryn, Ryan and Ross) and great grandchildren (Marquel, Miles, William, Luke and Reid). He also was survived by sisters, Betty Gillis and Letty McGeehan, and numerous other family members and friends, and was eulogized by nephew, John Grover, and niece, Joel Bennett. Pop was a voracious reader and dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan. Most importantly, he was a man of faith, a loving husband, a caring father and a hero to his entire family.
