Journal entry by Lucinda King —
As many of you probably know, Richard passed away peacefully this Sunday, March 3 around 11:12. I was with him holding his hand. We quickly gathered the rest of the family, and I believe they were all there for his last breath. We all had a chance to tell him goodbye, and let him know it was okay to go home to be with his Lord.
We had a sweet family birthday dinner with him on February 23 - he thoroughly enjoyed eating one of his favorite meals of tri tip, rice, pinquitos and my salsa. He had his favorite birthday cake - banana cream, and celebrated with his best birthday present ever - his first born son, Ben. After that, he began declining very quickly.
It turned out, Richard's brother and a son, plus his sisters Judy and Anne were to be here to visit Richard this past weekend. The timing couldn't have been better for them to be with their brother to say goodbye. Most of them arrived Sat. afternoon.
He'd had his last Avastin treatment the day after his birthday, then his blood platelets dropped by half - that had never happened before. That indicated to me that it was time for hospice. The referral came through last Wed., then the hospice nurse came out on Friday evening to admit him. That night, he took another turn downward. We knew things were close. I called my pastors James and Brian, and they came out soon after. they gave a service around Richard's bed, with all his family surrounding him. We heard scripture and had prayer, and James sang and lead us in hymns. It was touching and beautiful. When we sang hymns Richard knew, he opened his eyes and looked around his bed at all the people around him. And if he could have been singing, he would have! At the end, Brian anointed him with oil and kissed him on the forehead. Then his eyes really opened up! LOL
That night (Sat.), after receiving morphine and a couple of other drugs to make him more comfortable, he went into a deeper place. My sister and R's siblings took turns sitting with him, as he rested peacefully. I was able to rest that night, and when I got up, it was clear things were close to the end. I was able to sit with him, hold his hand, sing to him, read Psalms to him, and just be with him. Around 11am, his breathing changed, and we gathered everyone in as he took his last breath. It was a holy moment, and he went very peacefully. Our pastors came over later and ministered to us. I couldn't have asked for a better way for him to go at the end, surrounded by love - for him and me.
His memorial will be on Saturday, March 23 at 2pm at Peninsula Bible Church Cupertino. We would love for you to join us to remember him. Thank you for all your prayers throughout this journey, and now. You helped hold us up. Bless you all!
Love,
Lucinda
We had a sweet family birthday dinner with him on February 23 - he thoroughly enjoyed eating one of his favorite meals of tri tip, rice, pinquitos and my salsa. He had his favorite birthday cake - banana cream, and celebrated with his best birthday present ever - his first born son, Ben. After that, he began declining very quickly.
It turned out, Richard's brother and a son, plus his sisters Judy and Anne were to be here to visit Richard this past weekend. The timing couldn't have been better for them to be with their brother to say goodbye. Most of them arrived Sat. afternoon.
He'd had his last Avastin treatment the day after his birthday, then his blood platelets dropped by half - that had never happened before. That indicated to me that it was time for hospice. The referral came through last Wed., then the hospice nurse came out on Friday evening to admit him. That night, he took another turn downward. We knew things were close. I called my pastors James and Brian, and they came out soon after. they gave a service around Richard's bed, with all his family surrounding him. We heard scripture and had prayer, and James sang and lead us in hymns. It was touching and beautiful. When we sang hymns Richard knew, he opened his eyes and looked around his bed at all the people around him. And if he could have been singing, he would have! At the end, Brian anointed him with oil and kissed him on the forehead. Then his eyes really opened up! LOL
That night (Sat.), after receiving morphine and a couple of other drugs to make him more comfortable, he went into a deeper place. My sister and R's siblings took turns sitting with him, as he rested peacefully. I was able to rest that night, and when I got up, it was clear things were close to the end. I was able to sit with him, hold his hand, sing to him, read Psalms to him, and just be with him. Around 11am, his breathing changed, and we gathered everyone in as he took his last breath. It was a holy moment, and he went very peacefully. Our pastors came over later and ministered to us. I couldn't have asked for a better way for him to go at the end, surrounded by love - for him and me.
His memorial will be on Saturday, March 23 at 2pm at Peninsula Bible Church Cupertino. We would love for you to join us to remember him. Thank you for all your prayers throughout this journey, and now. You helped hold us up. Bless you all!
Love,
Lucinda
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