What a Tribute for David Peeples!

Jeanne Harman sent this update about David Peeples visitation and graveside service:

There were about 300 at the visitation, per the funeral director.  The graveside was also adequately represented.  I saw WHS graduates from the class of 1960, 1961, and 1962.   Probably there were graduates from other classes as well.  Also attending were some of his AT&T workers, some of his Marine buddies, relatives, and many, many others whose lives were touched by David.

I want to mention a few things that you might find of interest.  When David found out he was terminal, he began planning every detail of his funeral.  He wrote his own obit.  When his Marine buddies and telephone buddies saw that part of David’s life was not mentioned, an extra sentence was added to the program to recognize that aspect of his life.  David was very specific that he wanted the poem about the Fisherman’s Prayer on the back of the program.  The pastor who presided at David’s service also performed the services for David’s parents and sister.

David was specific as to the flowers that he wanted on his casket as well as the casket itself.   He was so specific about the casket that when he was shown different caskets, he said I want “that one”.  When the funeral director told him they would get it ordered….David said “No, I want “THAT ONE“.  David even took down the serial number and said someone would check it to make certain it was the correct one when the time came. The funeral director said everyone had their marching orders.

I talked with the florist with whom David worked regarding his flowers. David was shown several books of pictures of arrangements on three or four different occasions. David kept going back to this one particular arrangement and decided upon it. Pam at Wolfe Florist said she made certain the arrangement was correct so that David would have approved.She said everyone who dealt with David fell in love with him.

David met his death head on and with such maturity.  We never really think about having to plan our own funeral.  We leave instructions on different things that we want, but those details are usually left to someone else.  Actually, to plan every detail of our very own funeral from start to finish is not something that most of us must face. I will say it again: Everyone who knew David was aware of how very well he lived the “dash” between his birth date and date of death.  David will be missed very much by so many!

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