Dad: Tomorrow marks five months and the first of many holidays without you. This time of year has always been tough. Over a decade of working retail had left me indifferent to Christmas at best, but this year, I can't stand it at all. The folks at The Dinner Party said it better than I can: Today could feel like a candy-cane stripe of laughter and tears, of memories cherished and memories forgotten, of life and death. It might be a whole lot of raucous energy, it might be taking a breath and quietly lighting one candle, it might be singing and rejoicing together in a full room, and it might be majorly feeling the people not in the room.

One thing, out of the thousands, about my dad that I am thankful for is that old RCA VHS Camcorder he brought along everywhere... Not everyone is lucky enough to have these movies of their life. Over the last few months, watching the old tapes has sometimes felt like getting a peek into how his creative brain worked; how he set up scenes and captured all these memories. Through rose-colored nostalgia, here's a small glimpse of what holidays looked like through the viewfinder. https://vimeo.com/784256619/a…

Today is exactly one month since dad passed away, and only a few short days since his celebration of life. I can't begin to come up with the words for how I'm feeling, or how to thank everyone for their presence, cards, hugs, stories, etc. It meant so much to us to have everyone gather with us to remember him.

For those who asked, here is the video shared during the celebration: https://vimeo.com/740921098/4…

Hi, everyone. Tonight, shortly after midnight marks an entire week since Dad passed away peacefully with us by his side. It still doesn’t seem real. Even though the last several days have dragged on slower than molasses as we lived them, it also feels like it went by in seconds when I finally have a moment to stop and breathe. I wanted to thank everyone again for all your kind words and gestures. Sharing memories and condolences, sending food, and offering to help my mom have all been so appreciated.

When we first set up this site, we didn’t have any details for the arrangements, but they have since been added. If you haven’t, please try to RSVP for either/both events so we can plan accordingly. I’ll continue to post updates here as we get closer to August 22, as needed. Feel free to reach out with any questions or if you need help with flight/hotel/Bismarck-stuff recommendations.

Continue to share with anyone who may want to know of Dad’s passing. His obituary can be viewed:
- Here on this site
- On the funeral home’s site: https://www.dawiseperry.com/o…
- The Bismarck Tribune (planned for Sat., Aug. 6)

Please keep any photos and stories coming! It’s been so great to read how many lives Dad has touched and how everyone has different (but also very similar) memories of him.

Again, thank you.