My Dad. If Chatty Cathy is the female version, my Dad Bryan was the male version. He loved to talk! He wanted to be the first one there and the last one to leave. He loved people. He was accepting of everyone.

Some men have hobbies like golf, hunting or fishing. For my Dad he loved people. Any activity involving others….and he was there.

He was an artist. Creative at heart. He loved:
- rearranging furniture
- gardening with LOTS of color
- music …..and it needed to be loud
- photography
- loved nature
- bright BOLD flamboyant color... so much so that in celebration of his life today, we thought it would be suitable for Mom to wear a colorful Hawaiian Mumu to this memorial…..but she refused.

“That’s SMASHING!” Was a comment he would say often when his girls tried on outfits and asked him “how does this look Dad?”

The last time Dad was in the hospital, I drove up and as soon as I opened the door, I could hear my dad laughing down the hall. I told him that I wanted to know what we should do should he pass away. He laughed, Threw his head back and said “Have a party! I know where I'm going.”

So today Dad, we wear colorful dresses to honor your bright and bold personality!

In his passion for music, I can remember the upset he caused by the purchase of a Sony Surround Sound Stereo back in the 80s. He had asked Lonnie Andrews which system would give him the best quality sound. Mom couldn’t understand the need for such a system…even so, Dad would blast the music so loud, the windows in the house rattled. Looking back, the music Dad played, ignited the passion in Tiffany and I to pursue music and now, years later, we both sing and re worship leaders at our churches.

I have so many fond memories of Muffin Break. When I was 8, Dad let me work on Saturdays and after school, I would sweep floors, load the dish washer and give coffee refills. I watched Dad very carefully… everyone who walked in the door needed to be greeted with a smile and as they left, we always made sure to say thank them for their business.

Dad made so many creative recipes of muffins and soups. The Deckerts supported them all unfortunately after they left … He got in trouble from Muffin Break headquarters for making "unauthorized product". We called him the Muffin Man and we were his “mufkins”. He drove what we called the Muffin Mobile... he had custom racks installed in the back of his truck to transport all those yummy ham n cheese muffins from the main store over to the Seven Oaks mall.


Dad was gifted with the ability to always put people at ease... He never complained and everything was always good. He always saw the potential in people. He was passionate about ministry, he had words of knowledge, such a giving heart and he offered a reassuring word when it was needed most. He was so giving and generous…..we are now finding out that he delivered groceries and money to people anonymously.


The Bible charges us as believers to go to the nations and preach the gospel. And He truly did that when he traveled to St Lucia and Africa on mission teams from our church in the 80 & 90s. I remember we packed his suitcase and Mom stuck love notes in his socks and shirt pockets. When he came back home, we unpacked his bag of souvenirs in the middle of the living room floor and cockroaches scattered across the room and we all screamed in terror!


Over coffee... he never rushed you... he was never in a hurry or rush... He lingered, and listened with genuine interest.

Nosy to a fault.... I was always embarrassed at how he stood in the front window to watch me leave as I drove away with my boyfriends…but know I’m count myself blessed to have had a father who truly cared about me.

I have no doubt that my relationship with my heavenly father is as strong and intimate as it is today because the earthly father's love and attention I received from my Dad. I tagged along with him a lot and for that I am so grateful. Dad would bring me to the prayer room on Sunday nights before service and I remember him on his knees praying for the unsaved and for the needs of others. He taught me to pray and by example, he taught me to worship and belt out the songs in my heart to the Lord.

In processing all the emotions this week, I went to his closet, longing to catch a smell of my dad... but nothing, he didn't wear cologne but then on Thursday, we went to the MCC kitchen where Dad volunteered. As we walked in, they pulled a batch of cinnamon buns out of the oven and that combined with the simmering soup on the burner, I was overwhelmed with Dad... that was his smell. Giving him a hug after work, that was my dad’s smell.

We are eternally grateful to the rescuer for saving Dad…. the selfless act of pulling him out of the water, gave us the time....it giving me the time to drive up from Seattle to be with Dad, for Tiff to jump on the last flight of the day out of Calgary... we were able sing over him, pray and say good bye. His passing was so incredibly peaceful. To feel heaven... Jesus himself in the room as he enveloped my dad up into his arms.... I've never been with someone as they die and leave this earthly body but I am telling you- it was amazing. The swell in the room was so thick you could have reach out and touch it. I have no doubt that all that my parents raised us to believe is true. A favorite verse say- Soon and very soon I will be with the one I love, with unveiled face I'll see him. There my soul will be satisfied. Though I have not seen him, my heart knows him well. Jesus Christ the Lamb, the Lord of Heaven.

Dad you were always my biggest fan and now, I know you are cheering me on from that cloud of witnesses that gave you the welcome to heaven party last week. I will miss your beef barley soup, with rhubarb pie... but most of all, I will miss your smile, your laugh and your hugs. We know you are celebrating in your new body- pain free, full of JOY, and singing the Hallelujah chorus at the top of your lungs! I love you Dad.