Happy 21th Chad Starkey
I wrote the following eulogy years ago when my brother, Chad, was misdiagnosed by John Tilley of Phoenix Associates in Flower Mound. He went to see the doctor Friday complaining of stomach pains. The doctor examined him and sent him with medicine for a stomach virus. He went to sleep that evening to get doctor ordered rest. During the night his appendix ruptured and was found dead the next morning. He was 14 years old.
I was 11 when Chad was born. I thought it was so awesome to have a brother that much younger. I already had tying shoes all figured out when it was time to teach him. Reading was covered. Multiplication tables all memorized. I taught him that Might is Right when it comes to rough housing and fighting. I wanted to teach him about being a catcher and pitcher. I was waiting to teach him about computer programming. Jimmy and I both were counting the days to teach him about mischief, but from what I have heard, he had that one figured out already. And girls. This year for Christmas I bought him a blue etch a sketch. I told him it would come in handy when his girlfriend wanted to talk, because you girls love to talk on the phone.
Last night I during my dazed wandering among his scores of scores of friends, I began to see my brother’s life through their eyes. I heard words such as “he always made me laugh”, “he was so nice”, “he never said anything mean about anyone”. Much, much more was said through the awkward postures, the tearful embraces, seeing tough boys become real men, and the genuine pain I saw in your eyes.
I knew my brother was loved by me, but it was incredible witnessing how truly loved and respected he is by so many. He has verily touched each and every one of us with his sparkling eyes, his infectious smile and his simple love of life. Chad was quickly becoming the greatest man I know. He has acquired more sincere and caring friends in his remarkable 14 years than I will in my entire life.
It’s been said to me many times that Chad has gone to a better place. But he hasn’t gone anywhere. He came into my heart on July 21, 1989 at 5 in the morning with Jimmy and me sleeping shoulder to shoulder on the hospital floor. And he will abide in my heart until I join him again…and there, Chad, you will be my teacher.