As many of you know last February I had my father buried in his hometown cemetery in Latham, Kansas. I didn’t have the time to have the headstone installed and my brother, Brian, suggested that we do so in the fall.

Six weeks ago I began calling monument companies to get the stone cut and engraved. I found an online company that required two months advance notice, and I called the guys who provided the burial vault, but they wouldn’t sell the stone to me directly. They only did business with funeral homes. I finally found a company in Wichita who not only promised the stone in less than a month, but also had no problem dealing directly with me. Selling retail if you will. Last month I sent them our design and six hundred dollars and they had it set in place on Thursday.

Originally the plan was to come back with Brian, Diane and Peter, but the event quickly grew to include relatives and close friends from Evansville. We’re here in Wichita now and tomorrow we return to Latham for a second goodbye.

Here’s a short video from last winter. We’ve rented the Town and Country and we’re picking up my father from the funeral home. You’ve got to love the Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper jacket.