I am not writing this to say….this about me…
or that….
I am writing this to HONOR a man that impacted my LIFE…
and still does.

I can remember the day I raised my hand when they
came in Study Hall and said,
” we still have openings in Industrial Arts.”
I raised my hand…… my life was changed.
I came under the Teaching
I came under the character building
I came under the individual of Mr. Deerhake
” Attention to detail….
Attention to foundation of doing things right…
Attention to doing things within yourself, how he said…..
Attention to caring and molding….
A quiet man, yet FUN !
* walking in on us having Dale Burgess to the ceiling on
a motor chain, and a “smirk” …. yet discipline.

I got pregnant my Senior year of H.S. …….
I took Gabe to his house….
Mr. + Mrs. Deerhake welcomed us… with OPEN ARMS.
Mr. and Mrs. Deerhake…bought Gabe and Tug gifts for Christmas…
something special at Halloween….
Today…” did you see the picture of Tug in an Indian suit ?”
We would go 2 days before Christmas to their house religiously…
” And talk…and listen….and feel loved ”
He never disrespected me….
I always RESPECTED him, HIGHLY….HIGHLY.
He would trace every tool in the shop …
and that is where it belonged…….
You went to his house….it looked like his shop…
inside and out….it was HIS CHARACTER….
INSIDE AND OUT…..
HIS FAMILY….the same.
Mrs. Deerhake…the same.
HIS CHILDREN …the same.
He watched some of his grandchildren and he would talk of
them with deep love…..and gentleness and kindness ..
And I thot , wow…. how LUCKY are THEY ?
HE COULD ONLY IMPACT YOU WELL…………
HE COULD ONLY IMPACT YOU POSITIVELY………
Who can you ~ say that about ?
MR. DEERHAKE……………….it is the FACT of who he was.

I am ever grateful to GOD alone….
for MR. DEERHAKE in my life. in the Name of JESUS !