Happy Birthday, Dad. Love you!

Today is Forrest Wayne Dayhoff's birthday.  He is my Dad.  He would have been  81 years old.
He is the son of Charles and Lorene Dayhoff.  He is the father of three children:  Janice, Rebecca, and Walter.  He and our mother were divorced in 1976.  He later married Joyce and was very happy until the end of his life.
We all love you, Dad.

Dad graduated from Honey Creek High School.  Isn't he cute?

Dad loved cars.  An early model.

This is the Indian motorcycle Dad rode.  Once he gave Grandpa a ride to work on it.  Grandpa was totally freaked out and when he got off he was white as a sheet.  As far as I know, Grandpa never got on the motorcycle again.

This is my dad's brother and his parents.

I love this picture because Dad could use both of his legs in this picture.  He was in an accident on the way home from his duty station once and had his left leg basically torn off.  The doctor was able to put it back together but it never would bend like this again.  

Me and Dad at the farm we lived on in Prairie Creek, Indiana.  Dad worked at Hulman and Co. during the day and farmed at night.

When we moved to California Dad drove out before us to look for a job.  Mom and us kids rode the train out.  I remember him walking through the doors of the station in Sacramento to pick us up.  I was so happy to see him.  He looked pretty much just like this.

Dad always dressed well.

Dad drove trucks in Indiana to support our family among other things.

Dad loved to fish. 

Dad loved cats.  This is Muffin.  She misses him too.

Dad began traveling to visit family in the later years of his life.  This is at the top of Mt. Evans , Colorado.

Dad came to Kyle's blessing.  I think the only grandchild's blessing of mine that he has attended.

With great granddaughter, Alexa. 2005

And this little guy is named for Dad, his great-grandpa.

Leaving Colorado to go home.  He had a tough drive home, but made it safely.

The last time I saw Dad he came snowmobiling with us in Island Park, ID.   He was planning to go again in 2007.  On the way to the airport when he was going home he told us some really neat stories from his young adulthood.  I loved hearing them and wish I had heard more.

I am proud of my dad's service and proud that he received a military funeral.

Dad passed away at the beginning of January 2007, less than a month after his  76th birthday.
As his headstone states, "Cherished in memory 'til reunited."
Love you, Dad.