Rickie Gale Edwards Tribute

My daddy was the strongest man that I ever knew. In my eyes he could do anything. Born Jan 11,1952 in Missouri, this was a man that was made to make an impact on everyone who knew him. He grew up in Arkansas, son of Jarrell and Betty Edwards, brother to Veronda,Teresa,and Sherry, father of me( Leanne), wonderful grandfather. He loved to play guitar, write and sing songs, and loved trucking. He always wanted to be a trucker, and that is just what he did.  He was a very happy, loving,funny type person. He never put up a front on who he was, he was what you seen. He was a great daddy. He always had my back, no matter what. I didnt think that there wasnt anything he couldnt do, until about 12 years ago, when he started to get sick. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failer,c.o.p.d., and eventually diabetes. He still tried to do everything he normally done, just took a little longer. I didnt realize it then,but I do now that hes gone, that I could never give back the amount of love that he gave me. He had such a big heart, that the love in it would swallow you whole. He would give you the shirt off his back, not b/c you needed it, but b/c he thought u wanted it. He was a great teacher to me. He taught me things with music, that without the music, I couldnt quite get.  He was so proud when I found out I was pregnant with my first child.He had always told me that my first one was his, and I tell you what, it almost seemed like it too. She was the center of his universe, his best friend. Then came along my son. Well.. now he had 2 to spoil and that he did. He made such an impact in their lives, just as he did mine and anyone who knew him. I woke up to a tragic day on July 20,2006, to find out that he had passed away. He had a massive heart attack at home. Well.. the funeral was very nice. He had tons of flowers, and lots of people at it. There wasnt many seats in the house. The music played was "I`ll be there" by George Strait,"Daddy`s Hands" by Holly Dunn, and "Why me Lord" by Kris Kristopherson. My sister and Brother-in-law, and my husband, brought their big trucks to the funeral, and the neat thing is,the one my husband drove, was my dads truck. My brother-in-law escorted the hearse from the front and my husband drove daddys behind the hearse.  He wouldve loved that very much. He loved his big trucks.In fact, I even had a log truck panel put in his casket. We went to the graveside and as we lowered him in the ground, the guys all honked the horns from the big trucks until he was completely lowered in the ground. The passion that he loved the most, told him good-bye also. And there laid the strongest man, that I ever knew. He is still with me and I can fill him, from time to time. Even in death, he didnt abandon me and is still taking care of his baby.