My father is the greatest person I know. He has many qualities I respect and admire. Everyone he knows, including his family, friends, and colleagues, respect and admire him because of who he is and for the qualities he possesses.

Some of the qualities I most admire are his courage, loyalty, generosity of spirit, humor, love of family and friends, love of work and diligence in all his endeavors. He is a man of action who is both goal-directed and spontaneous, whatever the situation requires.

My father also possesses kindness and compassion for those less fortunate than himself. He was fired from a job as a teenager for giving out too much food in a food line because he thought the people looked liked they needed it.

People naturally want to please him and be around him. When we were children we would run to the door when he came home. We naturally wanted to do our best for him. Employees work hard to please him. This is because my dad has always been an extremely positive person. His positivity is infectious. He sees the good in others as well as the good in difficult and challenging life situations.

Everyday when I left home for school, my dad would tell me, “Go get ‘em!” Today, one of his favorite expressions is, “Go for it!” He lives his life with that kind of spirit.

My father is also courageous and has never been afraid of anything as far as I can tell.
When I was 16, he made me go out to face someone who was bigger than me and who wanted to “beat me up.” He wanted me to face whatever had to be faced.

I am sure my father is not perfect, but he always taught us that the perfect lies in the imperfection. That’s just the way he likes it. He is not pretentious or glamorous in any way, but is what I would call a natural human being.

Perhaps some of the traits he possesses he got from his parents. These traits are rare in the following generations as far as I can see. My father is really a living legacy, a treasure as a human being, and I love him very much.

Steve Darley

I thought I'd never meet a man like my husband Steve - until I met his dad Bill - and his family! It's easy to see where he gets his good qualities. I first met Bill in a church, at a cousin's wedding. We came in late so we couldn't greet anyone. They put me right next to Bill and we sat in silence until our first words to each other, "Peace be with you!" Certainly it was God's arrangements that brought us all together. I feel so blessed to be a part of this family. Thank you Papa for your loving kindness, you inspire me to be a better person and a better family member.

Dar Darley