Eulogy for My Dad Roger Cadenhead

I delivered this eulogy for my dad Roger Cadenhead today at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

On behalf of the family I'd like to thank everyone for coming out to honor dad. I'm his son Rogers, also known as Roger Jr., also known as Little Roger.

There are some people you meet whose brains spin at a different RPM than anyone else's. He was one of them.

My dad was 20 when I was born and my mom was 18. I am a happy accident.

Dad had some unusual parenting techniques. Our apartment in Oak Cliff was so small my crib was in a closet. He would make a face and tell me, "I'm gonna break your plate and burn your sheet!" Southern expressions are weird. I was 30 before I figured out that all the people telling me "bless your heart" were not paying me a compliment. But this expression was the weirdest. All the time dad would say to me, "I'm gonna break your plate and burn your sheet!" One day we were moving to a new apartment, so Dad took my crib apart to pack it. When I saw this, I flipped out. I ran to mom and wailed, "HE'S BREAKING MY PLATE AND BURNING MY SHEET!"

I learned several things as dad's first-born son.

1. When a train crossing starts clanging and the arms come down, that means "hurry up and see if you can beat the train."

2. If your dad leaves you on an elevator, stay on the elevator. He'll eventually figure out you're gone and find you.

3. When your dad says "hold my beer while I try this," step back at least 10 feet for safety reasons.

I had fun as an only child, but the real mayhem began when my parents thought they were having one baby but got a BOGO deal and brought home twins.

Chad and Kelly, please stand for this part.

The twins were three when they decided our home was clothing optional. They would at a moment's notice take off their clothes and run naked through the house. And the yard. And the neighborhood.

One day they couldn't be found. Dad panicked. He ran through the house yelling "Chad and Kelly!" When he went into the front yard hollering their names, a neighbor pointed at our front window.

Chad and Kelly were standing in between the curtain and the front window, waving at people, both naked as a jaybird.

Chad and Kelly, you can sit down now.

While I'm up here I want to thank my Other Mother, Sherry.

Sherry was the love of dad's life and it means a lot to us that she took such good care of him.

When you stand up and say you'll be with someone "in sickness and in health, for better or worse," that's easy during the wedding. You're young. Your outfit is on fleek. You're already thinking about the reception and the open bar.

But when life tests you with a challenge like the struggle dad faced for over a decade, Ronnie Millsap had it right: That's 99 44/100ths percent pure love.

When my dad liked a song, he listened to it over and over. Everyone in the house learned every line. Whether we wanted to or not.

There's a limit to how many times a person should be forced to hear "Giddy up, a oom papa oom papa mow mow." But it wasn't all bad. I could listen all day to Janis Joplin asking the Lord for a Mercedes Benz.

There was one song that dad in particular liked to sing along with. You could say it was his life philosophy.

I think we should sing eight lines from it. I want to hear you in the back. I see you in the back, Kay. I know you came in late, and that's OK.

"Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble.
When you're perfect in every way.
I caint wait to look in the mirror.
'Cause I get better lookin' each day.
To know me is to love me.
I must be a ---- of a man.
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble.
But we're doing the best that we can."

I love you, dad. After a 70-year life surrounded by love, you're the one on the elevator. Keep going, and as you made me understand when I was six, we will be together again. And I know it's fun, but please don't push all the buttons.

Family · Texas · Rogerses · 2017/02/09 · 3 COMMENTS · Link

Comments

Rogers,

That was a beautiful testimony to a man made great by being a father. To celebrate his life and his mannerisms with wit and wisdom is a blessing on the crowd mourning the loss of a dear friend. You did an excellent job. Your father, no doubt is looking down on you and smiling.

John.

#1 · John · 2017/02/10

I'm really sorry for your loss..I dread the day I have to do this and with each passing day I'm closer and closer. I'd be nowhere without mine.
Thank you for sharing this.
I just ordered TYin24hrs Java..I found my copy of your C book and many many moons ago it severed me well. I have no doubt that this one will too.
I'm sure your dad was very proud of you.
Thanks again,
Frank

#2 · Frank · 2017/09/21

Thanks, Frank. Enjoy the time with your dad.

#3 · Rogers Cadenhead · 2017/09/21