The Eulogy of  Dan Scott - Eulogy for a Brother - Eulogy by a  Sister

Daniel Scott

            I’d like to begin by thanking you all for coming today as we say our final farewells to Dan. These past few days have been difficult for Dad, Dave, Ray, Gary and me, and the whole family, having lost Dan so suddenly. Your support – your calls and cards and thoughts and prayers have meant so much – and your presence today… Thank you for being here.
            I always thought it so ‘right’ when people would refer to Danny as the “Green Eyed Sweetheart.” That pretty much describes him, doesn’t it? He was a gentle man – not a mean bone in his body. He was rather quiet, but had that gentle smile of his that won you over. Most of the time he didn’t express his emotions very openly, but he felt things deeply. His manner and how he related to people and how he treated them showed that he cared. He always wanted the best for everyone and felt for them when they were hurting or carried some kind of burden. If he could do anything to help, he would do it.
            Dan was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known. In High School he never really had to study much for tests. We all envied that. He just read the material and absorbed it and could remember it. In his senior year he seemed to go to school every day but apparently seldom actually attended classes. No one ever knew just where he was. But one day mom called the school office to have him excused early for some reason and was told that Dan had moved. Mom was rather shocked. Dan had ‘moved’?! What did that mean? He would leave for school every day but never got there? Where was he? He was somewhere planning out his life… It wasn’t long after that that we had a going away party for him to celebrate his joining the Navy. He’d had enough of school. It was time for adventure.
            Dan loved serving his country. He did three tours of duty, sailing all over the world. He spent time in ___________ and ____________ and ___________. He loved to see new places and how people lived. He loved to explore the cities with buddies and visit famous sites… Probably the best friends he ever had were those he made in the Navy. He loved to tell stories of some of the places they went and some of the things they did.
            On board ship Dan’s job was to maintain the electronic guidance equipment. His ship was tasked with the protection of the main aircraft carrier. He loved the work and the people he worked with. He probably would have continued on with the Navy had it not been for some heart issues he began to experience. He loved to tell people that he was on the first U.S. ship to port in China.
            Danny had an amazing knowledge of history and politics and the military. He had his opinions about all of them and it was pretty hard to argue with him because he was so knowledgeable. He was a student of history and followed the ins and outs of politics every day and, of course, having been in the Navy for so many years, he knew just about everything there is to know about the various military services. Dave, Ray, Gary and I were always telling him he was the brains of the family. And he probably was. He wasn’t much into physical labor – sitting at a desk worked for him. When my brothers were teenagers, they all worked at the Grand Prix glass company. Dave, Ray and Gary were all out in the field installing glass… Danny somehow managed to pull desk duty, staying at the shop pushing paper  After the Navy he worked for ______________. He retired just this past year because of his health issues.
            Danny had been living with Ray and Laurie during his medical treatments. He lived with them for ____ years. Ray and Laurie – you’ve been just great. Your caring for Danny during some of these difficult days had been inspirational. You did so much. You gave him such encouragement. You gave so much of yourselves and loved him so wonderfully. Thank you for all you did. I know he appreciated it and the rest of us most certainly did, too. You’re great.
            Danny loved to read. In his quiet hours you could always find him sitting in a comfortable chair somewhere reading a mystery or an adventure novel. Or watching TV. He loved watching some of the great old cowboy movies and stories of the old west.
            When he went out, one of his favorite places to be was at a Karaoke bar. He loved to sing. He had a pretty good singer. When it came time for him to get up there he never hesitated. His favorite songs to sing were: “Cat’s in the Cradle,” “American Pie,” “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” “Brandy,” “Mr. Bojangles”… I can see him up there singing now. Releasing all his inhibitions and singing for all he was worth.
            He enjoyed playing cards, too. Getting together with friends over a friendly game of _________ was a great pleasure. They’d spend hours talking and joking and enjoying being together. .. or watching baseball and football. He was a fan of the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers. He didn’t get to many games, but cheered them on, whenever they were playing, from the living room sofa.
            But more than anything, Danny loved all of us – his family and his friends. WE were everything to him. He’d have done anything for us.
            I always signed my birthday cards to him with “Love Always, Your Favorite Sister.” It always made him laugh (I’m his ONLY sister). It was something unique between him and me… I loved him so much – and I know he felt the same about me. I was so glad he was getting himself together getting ready to move to Arizona. It was his dream and I’m sorry it didn’t come to pass.
            Danny – you have been such a wonderful part of our lives. Your kindness and loyalty and gentle spirit has touched us and we will never forget you and all you have been. Your favorite sister will always love you to pieces. I’ve been SO proud of you and all you were. 
                   
 
           Eulogy for a brother... Eulogy by a Sister