Pepe
by Jamie Armington
May 10, 2005, Pepe's funeral

I want to thank you all for coming and sharing in the love of my grandfather... my Pepe. As I look out I see all of the great people who have touched his life. As I see everyone comforting each other I know that this is how he would have wanted it to be... everyone being with the ones they love. This is one of the many great things that my grandfather taught me. A sense of family, the importance of being there for the ones you love in their time of need.

My Pepe was a kind, loving man whose family always came first. I have never known a man as generous and as loving as he was. He always had a funny story... a huge smile to brighten up even the darkest day. Everyday I watched the love that he had for my Meme. I watched the laughter and love they shared throughout their years of marriage.

I will always remember my grandfather sitting on his chair cracking jokes and so much love pouring out of him for the people around him. His jokes, sometimes colorful ones, and all the fun he put into life will always be happy memories for me.

I remember my Pepe always having to take pills. I was always interested as a young girl as to what the many different colored ones were for. I would ask him, "Pepe, what's the red one for, what's the yellow one for..." Instead of telling me what they really did he made things more interesting, as always. "Well Jamie, the red one is my handsome pill, the yellow is my funny pill, and the white one is my lovely pill."

Another funny story that I will always remember involves Christmas at my aunt Cindy and Uncle Jay's house. Each of us had our own special verse to sing in the carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas". We would add our own crazy quirks to our part. Pepe always sang "five golden rings". His was always the highlight of the song. He would sing it, if you want to call it that, in a long, deep and drawn out voice. It always made us laugh and entertained the younger kids.

Throughout his life he suffered from some illnesses that he had developed from World War Two. He had been in and out of hospitals for years, but he never once gave up because he wanted so much to be with the ones he loved. He was the strongest person I know. He will always be in my heart, and his hope and love for life will always be with me.

Edited by Keith
(yes, blame me if you have to)