Dear Matthew, Erin and Amye,

The times I spent with your parents in Waco were among the best in my life! In fact, their support was so critical that I truly might have given up on teaching without them. I have so many delightful memories of going on trips with them, enjoying the Lake Shore musicals, eating at your home, observing the amazing parenting skills of your dad and mom, watching you as babies and young children, joining in your holiday and birthday celebrations, etc. Your dad was a prodigious force of nature with his keen intellect, great sense of humor, hearty laugh, witty Christmas letters, thought-provoking sermons, and service-oriented love of humankind. He will be missed terribly by all of us whose lives he touched in so many ways. Love, Joan Shiring
Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Eric and I would like the family to know our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. We are mourning the loss of a huge part of the Calder Baptist family and want Ed's family to know how much joy and comfort your father's work at the church brought to us all. You all are on our minds and in our hearts today and in the weeks to come.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014

I am so saddened to hear of Mr. Wilson's passing. He was a wonder mentor in music for me from junior high school through high school. I have many fond memories of him. He was an inspiration to everyone in choir and I am happy to have been a part of that. Rest in peace, Mr. Wilson, you will be forever remembered!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014

The friends we make in young adulthood can either be a curse or a blessing. Many people have had friends who helped us down the wrong road to the consternation of their friends and family. Others have been the supports and signposts that helped us through the difficult path to adulthood. I met Ed when we were two of least academically disciplined students at Baylor. We were neighbors in the married student housing and came to be great friends sharing interests in good food and drink, good conversation, science fiction, and children. He and Jane helped raise our daughter Laura and remained an important part of all our lives. He even traveled to the Texas hill country to perform her wedding.
For many years now our friendship has continued through the electronic mediums with notes, jokes, and messages. It is a friendship stretched by time and distance until like John Donne's love it was only an "airy thinness" that does not break only because it was pure gold. Ed's generosity, love of life, wisdom, and faith in the goodness of mankind were remarkable. He leaves a legacy of love, friendship, and kindness that we all can treasure. Like several others now, his name will remain in my e-mail address book.
I know there will be no more messages, but it will remind me of a friend's great heart which we will all miss dearly.
Monday, February 3, 2014

Matt, Amye & Erin...our hearts are broken...All of us who knew your dad loved and apprciated him. He will be missed. Please know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers and that all of us are "here" for you. Our loss is heaven's gain. May you feel God's presence with you now and always. Paula
Monday, February 3, 2014