Uncle Dick passed away at the end of January 2001. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 6 months previously. He lived the last part of his life in Arizona. Dad did not get along with Uncle Dick, so we did not see much of him after the early 1970s. I got to spend a little time with Uncle Dick in 1981, and occasionally I would speak with him when he called to talk with Dad. After that, we did not see him until Dad's Funeral in the mid-1990s. Uncle Dick visited us for Christmas the year Dad passed away. After that we did not hear much from him until he called us on Christmas Day 2000.

Mom, Marc, and I flew out to Phoenix to attend Uncle Dick's funeral. Uncle Bill and Tom met us at the airport the night before the funeral. The next morning Mom, Marc, and I drove to the small town west of Phoenix where Uncle Dick had last lived and the funeral service was being held. The weather was overcast and felt gloomy and depressing; I guess it fit right for a funeral. Uncle Bill, Tom and Michelle took their own car. If I recall correctly, Mike and Lisa and their boys Tanner and Connor met us at the church where the service was being held. We also got to meet some Maddux women. I think they were cousins of Uncle Dick, Dad, and Uncle Bill. Unfortunately, I no longer recall their names. After visiting a little while, the Priest conducted the funeral service. Uncle Dick turned out to be as Catholic as Dad, which probably irritates Dad even now :-) Afgter the service, we drove out to the burial place (I cannot recall if it was a cemetery). Uncle Dick had picked out his tombstone, which fit him perfectly.

Tom and Dave have since visited Uncle Dick's tombstone and grave. I have not returned to see Uncle Dick's tombstone or former house, but Marc and I keep talking about it. Maybe this year...