Our very good friend, Rick Marx recently passed away.
It was three or four years ago that Rick went to see his doctor about a pain in his hips. He thought it must have been a pulled muscle or something like that. He’d always been a healthy man and worked out regularly. Imagine our surprise when we learned that he had stage four cancer in his bones and a year to live. Rick was given many blessings and some of his blessings told him that it was not his time yet and he still had work to do here on earth.
He has had many ups and downs since that first diagnosis. He went through a few rounds of chemotherapy and at one point he was on deaths door. He pulled through and recovered to the point that he was essentially cancer free. While we are sad to see him pass on, I can’t help but be grateful for the extra years he was granted.
I remember one day in the chapel just before church started I was playing “Clash of Clans” with my kids. In this game you create a clan and our clan would fight daily battles against other clans. It was a good game for me because it didn’t need to take more than ten minutes a day and yet it kept me in daily contact with my kids. It was fun and our clan at its max grew to about 50 people, all of whom were close friends or family of mine or friends of my kids.
At this point Rick was going through a tough spell in his fight against cancer and spent most of his day sitting around his house dwelling on his problems. I suggested he join the clan and “Rick the Rock” was born. The game was perfect for him and he was instantly thrown into a family of fifty or more members. Everyone loved Rick and it gave him something else to think about other than his own problems.
I remember one day in the chapel just before church started I was playing “Clash of Clans” with my kids. In this game you create a clan and our clan would fight daily battles against other clans. It was a good game for me because it didn’t need to take more than ten minutes a day and yet it kept me in daily contact with my kids. It was fun and our clan at its max grew to about 50 people, all of whom were close friends or family of mine or friends of my kids.
At this point Rick was going through a tough spell in his fight against cancer and spent most of his day sitting around his house dwelling on his problems. I suggested he join the clan and “Rick the Rock” was born. The game was perfect for him and he was instantly thrown into a family of fifty or more members. Everyone loved Rick and it gave him something else to think about other than his own problems.
The clan eventually went the way of everything else in life but Rick was now left with a new group of friends.
After years of great health, Ricks cancer finally returned and he declined quickly. The last week or two were very painful for Rick and he was finally taken to the hospital. Kathy had wanted him to stay home and have hospice come in but Rick was no longer able to get around. Rick is a big man and Kathy is a little girl. She needed help.
After years of great health, Ricks cancer finally returned and he declined quickly. The last week or two were very painful for Rick and he was finally taken to the hospital. Kathy had wanted him to stay home and have hospice come in but Rick was no longer able to get around. Rick is a big man and Kathy is a little girl. She needed help.
I went to see him a few times in the hospital before he passed and I'm grateful I had that opportunity. It was sad to see him laying their all drugged up to take away the pain. It was even worse to see Kathy sitting their holding his hand.
At 9:30 on the morning of June 5, 2017 Rick Marx passed away.
Kathy texted Lisa right away and told her that they would be doing a "Salute" for Rick at 11:30. We had no idea what that was but we wanted to participate and support Kathy so we both left work and headed right over.
The salute was pretty special. They had us all leave Ricks room and they put him on a stretcher, draped him in the American flag and then a fellow from the Veterans Association stood in the hall and rang a small bell. Two orderlies slowly wheeled him into the hallway while the VA guy loudly announced Ricks name and rank and his branch of service and other stuff. It was very solemn and almost spiritual.
video
I think Kathy was given more food than she could possibly eat but her son Colin and Ricks son Doug both spent a lot of time with Kathy both at home and at the hospital. I don't think Kathy has eaten much but I'm sure the two boys put a good dent in the food.
At some point Kathy felt inspired to ask Lisa if she would take care of all the arrangements for the memorial service and the interment. I don’t know if Kathy knew it or not but that is where Lisa shines. She can plan any event (including funerals) like no one else. It truly is a calling of hers and Lisa spent the next few days on the phone. She lined up a funeral home, made arrangements with the Military cemeteries, lined up the music, eulogies and food. What is unfortunate is that we had to leave for Brandon and Serenes on Thursday. Thank goodness for modern technology. We spent the days with the grand kids but Lisa spent her mornings and evenings on the phone and on email. She planned it all from a thousand miles away but she did have a lot of support from home
At 9:30 on the morning of June 5, 2017 Rick Marx passed away.
Kathy texted Lisa right away and told her that they would be doing a "Salute" for Rick at 11:30. We had no idea what that was but we wanted to participate and support Kathy so we both left work and headed right over.
The salute was pretty special. They had us all leave Ricks room and they put him on a stretcher, draped him in the American flag and then a fellow from the Veterans Association stood in the hall and rang a small bell. Two orderlies slowly wheeled him into the hallway while the VA guy loudly announced Ricks name and rank and his branch of service and other stuff. It was very solemn and almost spiritual.
video
I think Kathy was given more food than she could possibly eat but her son Colin and Ricks son Doug both spent a lot of time with Kathy both at home and at the hospital. I don't think Kathy has eaten much but I'm sure the two boys put a good dent in the food.
At some point Kathy felt inspired to ask Lisa if she would take care of all the arrangements for the memorial service and the interment. I don’t know if Kathy knew it or not but that is where Lisa shines. She can plan any event (including funerals) like no one else. It truly is a calling of hers and Lisa spent the next few days on the phone. She lined up a funeral home, made arrangements with the Military cemeteries, lined up the music, eulogies and food. What is unfortunate is that we had to leave for Brandon and Serenes on Thursday. Thank goodness for modern technology. We spent the days with the grand kids but Lisa spent her mornings and evenings on the phone and on email. She planned it all from a thousand miles away but she did have a lot of support from home
Lisa arrived home from Texas Saturday morning, June 17, 2017. I picked her up at the airport around 9:00 AM, drove her home, we changed and then headed over to the church to get the place ready for Ricks memorial service.
A lot of people helped out and I think the service was everything Kathy was hoping for. Steve Sharp prepared the program; Alan Bird prepared a wonderful slide show, the Relief Society prepared a nice little lunch for family and close friends, Trish Wolsey provided some beautiful flowers and several people helped set up displays etc.
slide show
Probably the highlight of the program was Scott Spurgiesz. That guy is a musical prodigy. When he plays the piano, I’m sure he is doing it all on the fly. He certainly has no music. It came together beautifully and I think Rick was happy.
The spirit was felt by all who were there. Thank goodness for the gospel. I don’t know how people without faith can survive this type of thing.
slide show
The spirit was felt by all who were there. Thank goodness for the gospel. I don’t know how people without faith can survive this type of thing.
1 comment:
Hi, Fred - first time I saw this post. It is so kind of you to remember Rick. I miss him! We are so glad for your friendship.
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