Doug McBryde

One of the sweetest parts of my brother's wedding was that it gave our family (on all sides!) a chance to see one another. My aunt Joyce (mom's sister) and my uncle Doug came down from the panhandle for the festivities - we had no idea it would be the last time we would see him. Doug passed away a little over a week later - everything was a surprise (and is left somewhat unexplained) and it all happened very quickly, but Joyce and their two grown boys - my cousins Gared and Brad - got to be with him.

Doug McBryde 10/31/44 - 3/23/15

 

STRATFORD — Doug McBryde, 70, of Stratford died Monday, March 23, 2015.Doug was born Oct. 31, 1944, in Altus, Okla., to David and Marcella Peterson McBryde. He had been a resident of Stratford for more than 68 years. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Joyce Hodges, on June 24, 1967. Doug proudly served his country in the Army in the Vietnam War. Doug was very active in the community. He was a past member of Stratford school board, Stratford city council, director of First State Bank and assistant Sunday school director. He also was a great supporter of Stratford Elks. Doug enjoyed spending time in Red River and driving his Jeep. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather; he adored his grandchildren. Doug was a member of First Baptist Church and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Deke Presley McBryde.Survivors include his wife, Joyce, of the home; his sons, Gared Douglas McBryde and wife Misti and Bradley Payne McBryde and wife Kaci, all of Stratford; and his grandchildren, Jackson Presley McBryde, Walker Lee McBryde, Ty David McBryde, Kade Douglas McBryde and Kenlee Layne McBryde.

I've always known Stratford was a special community but to see it come together to walk through this with Joyce, Brad and his family and Gared and his family, was just amazing. It was quite literally the church in action. When I described it to Kyle he said it reminded him of how Meridian was when his sister Laura passed away. There was an unending supply of food, paper products, flowers, ladies taking care of every yet-unthought-of need, friends offering love, support, prayers and tall-tall tales of favorite memories with and antics of Doug. 

The service was especially moving - we all learned for the first time that Doug had been given the Military Medal of Valor for acts of bravery while serving in Vietnam - something only Joyce knew. Vietnam wasn't something Doug talked about (which is understandable), but I can't even fathom that kind of humility. So, when his two eldest grandsons read the press release from 8/11/69 there wasn't a dry eye in the packed church. For those that knew him a commendation like this wasn't a surprise - he was known to be a man of great integrity, loyalty, hard-work and faith. Doug was celebrated - and it probably would have made him uncomfortable! Joyce said he would have loved the service - but would have thought it was too long. :) That seems about right. 

It was made very clear that while Doug was a great man, he had faith in the Greater Man, Jesus. And while he will be missed, for those in Christ he will be seen again soon enough. So, even though his family and friends grieve, they do "not grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thes 4:13) but rather with the guarantee that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom 8:18). It's because of t his faith that Joyce can say that though she of course wishes she had had more time with him (after 48 years of marriage!) that this is the order in which things are supposed to happen. The strength and eternal perspective she possessed were testimony to the faith she shared with Doug.

And as with many things in life there is bitterness mixed with sweetness - I would rather have gone to Stratford for just about any other reason, but I am also just thankful that I got to make the trip and see so many precious people. So, now on to that part...

While I had seen my Stratford family members at various times over the past few years I hadn't been to Stratford since October 2004 - which is too long. Kyle really wanted to come to (as did my brother and dad) but it was just too tricky trying to figure out hospital coverage and kid coverage, so he stayed home and I headed to Stratford (about 1.5 hours north of Amarillo) with my mom and other aunt Debbie. (You can see the Caprock.)

*Sidenote: this tired mama was (forgive me) looking forward to some quiet reading time on the airplane - hello traveling without kids! - well, I won't go into details but Becky and Debbie are worse than traveling with children. More fun, but also worse. :)

 Where was I?

Oh yeah, the weather/landscape seemed extra moon-ish to us all in the car-ride up...

We had all had a good laugh when we realized part of it was due to the fact that we all still had our sunglasses on.

I had forgotten what it felt like to be blown all over the (long, straight) road. I wish I had taken a video of the tumbleweeds because they were going crazy! It was like we were being attacked - but we killed at least one.

Ever seen those giant wind turbines? We saw a train pulling a bunch of the blades - they are HUGE!

Just one of the sweet folks I got to reconnect with - though briefly. Brenda and her fam used to be my Aunt's next door neighbor (and now live directly behind them). When I was a kid and would spend a week or two (or longer? we never did ask you AJ - just how long did I come for? mom thinks it wasn't very long each trip but I remember it being longer) during the summer in Stratford I would play with her daughters. And we always went to Wonderland Park in Amarillo. :)

There were lots of other people that it was fun to see - the entire Hudson clan, lots of the McBryde's other besties, some of my mom's Club 70 folks. The panhandle may not be pretty, but it sure is made up of good people!

After the services we did what Doug would have wanted us to do - go to the track meet of the 3 youngest grandkids. Kenlee and twins Ty and Walker are all in the 7th grade and each did really well  in their various events! (Kade and Jack - both in high school, didn't have a meet that night).

It was Friday Night Lights - except on Thursday, and with track instead of football. So much fun to cheer them on!

Me and Kenlee (this girl makes me excited to have pre-teen and teenage girls - there is hope!)

I pretty much freaked out when we left the stadium to this beautiful sunset. Partly because I think sunset/sunrises are better in the panhandle because there are few hills/trees to compete with the horizon view (am I right?) and partly because I'm almost never outside at this beautiful time of day (dusk = bedtime for little people). Regardless of the reason, what a blessing.

And of course, an early-morning selfie: Mom, Debbie, Me, and Joyce down low. Ha!

Early morning sunrise through a dirty rental car window.

The panhandle's best (and biggest) breakfast burritos - cousin Kaci, Brad's wife - really came through on the recommendation for Kountry Donuts in Dumas. We may or may not have gotten an apple fritter to share as well.

 I have so many memories - both fun and formative - with my Stratford Family. I am one lucky city-girl to have some roots (even one generation removed) in that special place. And I can't think of a place where my AJ, her boys, and their families could be better cared for than there. When the dark days in life come (and they will for all of us) I hope I am surrounded by friends and family like they are, by people who will remind me what is true and certain, of what hope in Jesus looks like when it's not easy.

Joyce; Gared, Misti, Jack, Ty, Walker; Brad, Kaci, Kade & Kenlee - you had a wonderful husband/father/Pap. Our prayers continue to be with you.