Gramps. as written by Danielle Wilkerson

My sister Danielle wrote this after my Gramps died. Minus talking about her daughter, this is exactly how I felt about him. I want everyone to know what a wonderful man he was.

My Grandfather [Gramps] Richard Ennis Brough had been a father figure to me and my Brothers and Sister for over the last 10 years of my life. He sadly was battling prostate cancer and heart problems for the last couple years of that time and we lost him when he went into cardiac arrest at the hospital on 11/14/09. He was 72 years old. I will never understand why such a wonderful man who only lived to help others died in such a tragic way at such a young age. He was in so much pain in the end and nothing was working to take it away. I know now that he is no longer in pain and is resting in peace, but I just don't get why this happened. He was such an amazing guy. He always made sure that everyone had what they needed when they needed it. I am going to miss so many things that I feel like life will never be the same without him. I'll miss the way he called us all "kid" or "dingbat" or "orphansnorfer" and all the other funny things he used to say. I'm going to miss him coming through the door with a joke ready to make us all hysterically laugh, or something to say about his lady friends up at the card club he played at all the time. *tears* He was always there for me and the rest of the family. I have him to thank for so many major things in my life such as my career, my health, my daughters well-being, and so many others. He put me through school and took care of anything I needed. He bought me my first car and paid my insurance for a long time. Everything I am is because of him. I feel like half my heart is missing. He was one of my daughters favorite people [if not her fave] and when we go over to the house she still tries to go in his room and it kills me everytime. I know she will never remember him. I have a picture of him and her on the refridgerator and she kisses it almost everyday. I am so glad I was able to give him a Great Granddaughter. She put the biggest smile on his face everytime he saw her and I'm going to miss that so much too. I will never forget all the things he did for me and all the things he taught me. He truly has had the greatest influence on my life over anyone else. I am so blessed to have had him in my life for my 23 years. I know my Gramps is in Heaven with my Great Grandma Helen [his Mom] looking down and hoping we can all pull things together and make him proud. I am proud to be his Granddaughter and I hope I can make him proud. R.I.P Gramps. 07/17/37 - 11/14/09 Your spirit will live on in my heart forever.

If that doesnt make a person tear up, then you have no heart.

We are all still very sad and dealing with his passing.