My father, Ralph George, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 19, 2005, at the age of 67.  He was a good man who didn't drink, had quit smoking many years ago, was a craftsman and a loner.  He passed quickly of a heart attack just three months after having stents put in to clear some blockages.  The last three months of his life were filled with collecting and watching WWII movies, playing on his computer, and enjoying his retirement, all the while free of the chest pain that had plagued him for 3 years.

In the summer of 2004, I helped my parents go through all of the slides they'd taken over 50 years and then Dad scanned a few hundred of them to his computer.  After he died, I printed many of the photos and made a tribute album, which I completed on September 19, 2005, two months to the day after he passed.

The majority of the album is done with a 6x6 monthly kit from Memories-Forever.net, with Bazzill cardstock, patterned paper from Urban Lily, embellishments from Lil Davis and Making Memories, and distressing ink from Tim Holtz/Ranger.  Because this is a tribute/heritage album, I used distressing techniques on the pages so they would appear worn and aged.  This also toned down the pinks and lighter colors in the patterned papers without eliminating them.  To see the materials I used for each layout specifically, please visit my gallery at Pages of the Heart.

Below are the layouts from my Tribute Album to my father, Ralph George.  Rest in Peace, Dad.  You will forever live in my heart.

Journaling Reads: Dear Dad... It was hot the day we said goodbye to you. I remember the heat and the tall dried cornstalks, Bren playing Gameboy and Mom chatting with limousine driver. Shortly after Gustine, we caught up with the funeral coach and the rest of the ride was mostly silent. At the cemetery, Bren trailed your casket, intently watching the color guard as they pushed the casket into its place of honor. I was glad that Arthur Deans and Ernie Connor, 2 of your oldest service buddies, were there shedding tears of their own. You would have loved the final service, Dad... color guard, gun salute and taps, during which Brendan shocked us by saluting your casket. I could almost hear you sob with emotion as they folded the flag with reverence and presented it to mom with a formal salute. We watched from the hill as they laid you to rest with crisp efficiency. It was beautiful, Dad, and you would have loved every second of it. I will miss you so much, Dad, but you will live on in my heart forever. Love, "The Bear" Kerri

(Please visit my gallery at Pages of the Heart to see the list of
materials I used on each page.  Thanks!)

Please sign my "scrapbook" so I know you've been here to visit!  Thanks!