This is Dru's father. I think I can speak for his mother and I in that we have been gratefully overwhelmed by the kindness, phone calls, texts, emails, messages, cards, letters, hugs, shoulders to lean on, offers of "if you need anything" and generosity of all.. friends, loved ones, etc. Thank you, thank you, very much. A special shout out to the Ladies Golf League at the Club of Marimack - you're awesome.
We, as parents, recently joined a club no one in the World wants to belong to. A few of you knew Dru pretty well, some of you a little bit, and certain there are some here who maybe just kinda knew Dru, so let's go back.
July 3rd, 1985, Dru arrived to this World just in time for The World Series.
Biased, but cute little guy. Before he could even talk, if we did something he didn't like, he made a sound like the buzzer at the end of a basketball game - so, we started asking him "What does the buzzer at the end of a basketball game sound like?" And he'd comply with the noise.
Age 7, I think it was...MASSIVE snowstorm in Liberty, MO. 10? 12? Inches?
"Mom? Dad?. Can you take me to Jesse's?" (His cousin, 5 blocks to 291, cross the four lane highway, another 4 blocks to Jesse's.) "NO, of course we can't.
Question, request was asked it's kid normal 7, 12 times, each met with NO.
"I'm going out to play then." We, eyeballing 4 others on sleds, building snowmen, yada, "OK."
Checked a bit later. All good.
Not even 20 minutes later, phone rang.. a mostly frantic sister inlaw on the other end (the one that lives 5 blocks to 291, four lanes across the highway, another 4 blocks) "DRU JUST SHOWED UP AT OUR DOOR!" It's a wonder we weren't hauled in for child endangerment.
That, is kinda a microcosm of my, our son's life.
Summer, age 9. Third day after the school year ended, broke his right wrist. For a sports crazy baseball loving right hander, devastation. By week two, he was shooting free throws lefthanded WAY BETTER than his naturally lefthanded father ever did.
The next year, coming home after work only to be met at the door of 305 Lee Drive by a cute little blond kid, ball bat and glove in hand.
Our son was a foot or so shorter, at that age, than his buddies. We went. Bucket after bucket of fly balls, ground balls, batting practice. I'm talking SMTWTFS.
We'd go, hit a ton of fly balls to this little bitty dude in the outfield. Due to that size, and the height of the fly, sometimes folks would stop and watch in amazement, as time after time the little guy measured the depth, height, right or left, and it would fall gracefully in his glove. Sure, proud poppa, but, just telling it like it is, it was fun to watch.
A favorite memory is of us, his travel league 7th grade basketball team, and we had FINALLY made it to the championship game of a tournament. Eleven of us, nine kids all sizes and color, another dad, and I, right before the game, crammed into whatever the 6 seat clunker it was I was driving at the time - and drove around and around and around the middle school parking lot with Queen's "We Are the Champions" totally cranked. Happy. It was happy, FUN.
We lost the game, but I think can tell ya 11 people who will never forget that.
Dru loved much. Cheese. Cheese pizza. Chicken. Movies. Playstation 2. History. Swam like a fish. Got darker than the Coppertone lady in the Summer.
I hasten to list his best buds for fear of missing some, so apologies if I do.... Jay, Mel, DC, Teoppalious, Jesse Reece, Rodney, Jess Bogner, Clifton, Jason Chrisp, Albert, Logan, Jeff Tubbs... and of course his brother and his cousins.
Back To School Night, 1st grade. We got home, he looked at me disgustedly and said "You're the oldest dad in my class!" I wish he had learned his financial acumen from his mom, but, he surely got it from me. For example, he'd cash his paycheck, "Take me to McDonalds please"....a Triple Cheeseburger, Large Fry and a Large Dr. Pepper later, we're at $15.87. As the week wound down and payday was a couple days out......."How bout you hook me up with that McDonald's app buy one get one sausage biscuit?"
Dru loved fun. I think he learned fun from his Granny Rose Marie. Teasing. Bantering. Daughter Aubrie was "Rosey", Bella was lovingly 'Chunk Dog', and Kendal (and I) were not fans, but he called us each "Fat boy". I was also Shay, OG and Pops.
He was a neat freak. The husband who did all the cleaning, sweeping, mopping, dishes. Every job he ever had, he was the hardest worker among 'em. He possessed incredible strength for his size
Fiercely loyal, he displayed via tattoo the names of his departed Aunts Nancy and Vanda, Uncle Buddy and Granny Rose on his body. He loved his mom like crazy, she earned a spot in ink and she's still here. Payday, he would take his check to the bank... come back to the car.. "I've gotta stop and get something for mom." Mother/son relationship. What better?
His heart was huge for critters. As recent as a week or so ago, he smiled, looked at me and asked "Whaddaya think JC (a cat we owned 20+ years ago) is doing now?...How 'bout Figgy?"
Thankfully, he grew up in a household, in an extended family where there was no fear of using the word love, and man did he, we use it. He also, would be silently sitting with me, or any loved one... a hand would reach our shoulder and three love pats, saying without saying, would happen. With great frequency, unprompted, he'd pass out "I love you"s.
He had some 'very soon to do' bucket list items that didn't come to fruition. A night at the Elms. Getting a hotel room with a pool, yummy hot breakfast for he and his three kids in Topeka. He wanted to start going to the First Baptist Church in Liberty
Most most most of all............. He loved his children. I found a note he'd penned recently, addressed to them, he had intended to deliver...........
"Aubrie Rose (and Kendal and Bella)...
I love you with all my heart and soul. The day you were born, I held you with one hand. December 30, 2010, it was 63 degrees out! My favorite day of all time! You were so small but still so beautiful. You were Daddy's girl from Day One. Your first day of kindergarten, you didn't want me to put you down. You made friends fast. You were a Girl Scout, I was SO proud! Then, your brother Kendal comes along,
A house divided? No! You, Mom, Kendal, Dad, one big loving family. You and Kendal have been buds, then, Ms. Bella comes along and we made 3.
Kendal, you dance your cute little booty off! Us three would play soccer everyday the weather allowed. Bella really just bounced around on the swings. Kendal you've come a long ways, from kickball to soccer. Plus, you're dope on X-Box. I love you guy, with all my heart.
Bella, my heart angel world. We communicate without even talking. You just get it.
All three of you will run the World! Just remember that Dad loves you and gave you all he had.
Love, Daddy.
Bottomline, there was a wonderful gleam in his eye each and every time he got to see any of his kids.
That bucket list was, at least temporarily interrupted on March 17th, 2025, St. Patty's Day.
That day, Dru left to go UP THERE. So many to go, see, visit. Buddy, Nancy, Vanda... Grandpa Bill, Granny Rose, Grandpa Bud.. first stop though was to his Grandma Velma. It was her birthday.
We love and miss you Dru.
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