A Tribute to My Son: Troy

Over the past several weeks there has been a ton of neat stuff said about our oldest son, Travis.  He was a wonderful man and he had a lot of great qualities that were enjoyed by many people.

However, we have another son.  His name is Troy and he is thirty-five and married to a beautiful, young woman named Melissa (Missy).  They now live in New Middletown, Ohio - Missy's hometown.

Troy had to grow up in his brother's shadow.  Travis cast a BIG shadow! How do you compete with a brother who graduated from the United States Naval Academy?

Troy's answer was:  What competition?  I don't believe Troy ever saw it as a competition.  Troy - like all children - was unique from the beginning.  His big, brown eyes sucked the attention out of us.  And he always loved his siblings!

He was timid and shy from the beginning - a deep thinker and feeler.  His little sister, Tracie, came along eleven months later:  Irish Twins!  Needless to say, they were close!  What Troy lacked in chutzpa - Tracie made up for!  We often said:  "Troy never had a friend that Tracie didn't bring to him!"

Troy and Tracie became words that just naturally went together!  After all, Travis was four-and-a-half years older than Troy which makes a world of difference when you're young.  They did occasionally play together though.  I remember a time when we lived on Hill Boulevard in East Liverpool.  It was probably 1985; Travis would have been 9, while Troy and Tracie would have been 5 and 4.  I looked out the kitchen window one day and caught them! Travis was operating the garage-door opener.  As the door went up, either Troy or Tracie would grab the handle for a ride to the top.  Travis would giggle and hold them there till they screamed in panic - then he would lower them back to the ground!  Hilarious!

Troy grew up to be interested in sports, bikes, trampolines, fishing and exploring the hillside behind our house on Thompson Avenue with his best friend, Morgan. School was tough!  Homework was hard.  He would spend hours working at the table trying to get it all done!  Over and over, I felt sorry for him.  What had come easy for Travis, came hard for Troy!  The interesting thing is - and most people are surprised to hear this - Troy graduated with a higher GPA than Travis!

He went through some hard times and got pretty distracted for a few years, but he eventually - by God's grace - got himself established.

He left home at 19, and bought his own house.  Then, for a brief period of time, even co-owned a couple more houses.  He became skilled as an upholsterer and still does this work as a side job.  He held several other jobs as well, even cooking in a chain restaurant for a while.

When we left Akron, Troy became very involved in the Cornerstone Free Methodist Church and even participated in a leadership role.  He grew into his own man during this time.

A desire for change and adventure led him to visit his brother in Savannah, Georgia for a summer;  that turned into his new home!  He found work as an upholsterer with a small company that did work for Gulf Stream.  He fell in love with Savannah and made his home there until April of this year.

While there, he volunteered as a fire-fighter and eventually was hired by the South Side Fire Department - fulfilling a long-held dream!  He continues to do that work today although now he serves with the Boardman, Ohio Fire Department.

Troy makes a great fireman!  He has no fear!  He loves adventure!  He feeds on risk and will tackle any job.  He stretches me every time I'm around him.

Troy is tall and strong and friendly.  To meet him is to love him.  He treats everyone the same.  He doesn't see people as big/small or important/insignificant;  he sees people as......people!  As a result almost everyone enjoys being around him.

He loves dogs.  Sippy and Annsley have been this man's best friends!  They both have adored him!

While we were in the throes of despair in Hawaii a few weeks ago, I saw Troy in a new light.  When Josh, Debbie and I were paralyzed with pain and sadness, Troy stayed sharp!  When the doctors spoke to us, I couldn't think straight;  but Troy could!  He maintained his poise.  He stood for his brother and his family and asked the doctors critical questions.  As his father, I repeatedly found myself thinking:  "Why didn't I think to ask that?"  When critical decisions had to be made - Troy led us through those decisions!

I was so glad he was there!  I was so proud of him!  Still am!