a life well proven, my daddy Russell

i did not want to open my eyes this morning not ready to face the day if it was all true
i feel just as my brother Jesse kept saying yesterday, 'it just all seems so surreal'

an army of family and friends gathered in the room of my father
and in the room down the hall
moments of joy for the rest he was finally to receive
intermixed with outbreaks of sobbing and confessions of our desires to not live this life without him here
tributes of honor whispered into his ear of loyal friendship, quiet acts of service, and never ending love, and of course of the example of tireless work in the Lord's kingdom, letting each person know of their worth and their divine capabilities to live the gospel, and live it with exactness.
expressions of eternal love by my courageous and regal mother.
deliverance of Christlike love by her for in her own suffering she came to the comfort of others with words of reassurance of Daddy's love for us and of known truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

we stayed by his side for the duration of the day and into the late hours of the night as he was taking his final breaths
his body having succumbed completely to the cancer
having fought like only my Daddy could have fought for over two years
his strength being akin to nothing else in this world

i looked upon his face and knew his Earth life was complete
and not just complete but proven
oh proven in every way we all hope to achieve
my father proved in every word and deed of the truths he knew
and mostly in quiet ways did he speak and act
this great man worked in meekness


all the while sweet angelic music played
and familiar words of doctrinal hymns ran phrases of gospel truths through our minds

these deeds shall thy memorial be; fear not, thou didst them unto me **

be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.  be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. **

faithful and true he will enter his kingdom, crown'd in the midst of the prophets of old
mingling with Gods he can plan for his brethren, death cannot conquer the hero again**

the works of God continue, and worlds and lives abound; improvement and progression have one eternal round.  there is not end to union; there is no end to youth; there is no end to priesthood; there is no end to truth.  there is no end to glory; there is no end to love; there is no end to being; there is no death above.**

lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on.  the night is dark and i am far from home. lead thou me on. lead thou my feet, i do not ask to see the distant scene, one step enough for me.**


oh how i always want to see that distant scene, one step never seems enough for me
but the words of this particular hymn have been in my mind this past week
and i must now act out in faith, that since i know who is leading me, that one step is indeed enough

as i fought and sobbed not wanting to step out of that ICU door,
not wanting to leave my Daddy there
not knowing what to do, how to live by taking one step out of that door
how do i greet people
how do i go to the store
how do i tell my children

Mike took me by the hands and told me to look at his face
oh his sweet and tender face with power in strength and faith behind those gentle blue eyes
and he said, 'one step'

he spoke words of strength and faith and truth 

of those things i know to be true and can testify to you more than ever

truths taught to me from the time i was a little girl by my father

that death is not the end

that my Daddy lives and his spirit was not there in that room anymore

i felt the difference

that my Daddy is having a joyous reunion with those who have already passed on

and he is being put to work for he is a worker, a loyal servant 

that he will always be with me and i will feel him closer than i ever could before 

for he can be with me in ways that he couldn't while here on this earth

and ever so important that we will be there for my children to guide them and warn them as they continue on in their earthly mission

all of this has culminated to a greater knowledge that Jesus Christ lives

what a testimony i have received of that from the life and death of my own father

this is what i will need in days ahead

when i just need my Daddy, when i just wish i could hear his voice, hear his laugh, and feel his enveloping embrace

thank you friends for the service you have provided for myself and my family through your thoughts, prayers, and the continual acts of kindness.  i will need them more than ever in the days ahead.  they have literally sustained me and will continue to do so.  pray for my sweet mother, pray for her to feel the comfort that she needs so that she will never feel alone.  act on those promptings and thoughts you will have on ways you can take action to help her in this.

she has made a request which she asked me to share.  she would like everyone to please email me stories of my Daddy.  she knows that he has touched so many lives, and would like to make a book out of everyone's experiences with my father.  please email any thoughts, and particularly stories, as well as any photos you may have to russellmyhero@gmail.com  thank you all for sharing in our lives.

***UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION as of July 31st 9:30 am***

Services for my Father Russell F Dix will be:

A Visitation - opportunity to pay your respects to Daddy and meet with our family
Tuesday, July 31st from 6-8 pm at
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
29725 Bradley Road
Sun City, CA 92586

Visitation
Wednesday, August 1 from 9-9:30 am at
the Bradley building at above address

Funeral
Wednesday, August 1 at 10:00am at

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

29725 Bradley Road

Sun City, CA 92586

Graveside Service following the funeral at 

the Wildomar Cemetery

21400 Palomar Street,

Wildomar, CA 92595

**Luncheon to follow the Graveside Service
There will be a video presentation as well as tributes made by those invited to share at

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

29725 Bradley Road

Sun City, CA 92586

Those wishing to make a donation in honor of my father may contribute to one of these three charities:

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
www.themmrf.org

Perpetual Education Fund
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
give.ldsp.org/perpetualeducationfund

Humanitarian Aid
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
give.lds.org/humanitarian

Please also remember to email me your stories and photos of my Daddy to russellmyhero@gmail.com

the outpouring of your love has been tremendous!  thank you so very much.

{if you wish to read any further information regarding My Daddy's journey and our privileged journey with him please click here or on the 'My Daddy' label in the right hand column}