End of Life Wishes for James Thomas Morrow

My Dad, James Thomas (Tom) Morrow, was many things, but he was not very good about talking about or dealing with Death. When my grandmother passed, it was a good thing that she had made all of her own end-of-life wishes, because he would not have been able to mentally cope with the decision-making. When he and I spoke about his eventual demise, he joked a lot. That was his way. He'd say that he wanted beautiful blonde nurses to take care of him. Or, that he'd like to go out in a blaze of glory launching a Porsche off a cliff or crashing an airplane into a mountain. Consequently, he did not pre-plan and the decisions about what to do now that he has passed are up to Stella and me.

 

We know that he wanted to be cremated. Since energy cannot cease to exist, he firmly believed that his spirit would pass from his body into the next realm. He wanted his mortal remains to be put back into the earth but didn't ever specify to me where he wanted that to be. We are considering air or ocean scattering, and this GoFundMe will help us to do something beyond what I could do for him alone.

 

My Dad had great wealth at one time. He had intended to endow Santa Clara University upon his death, but there is nothing left to give. Time was not kind in that way. It is what it is.

 

My dearest hope is to do my dad's death justice. I like to say that he "lived out lout", Fast cars, beautiful women, world travel, laughter, optimism, joy. Stella and I are blessed that we were able to spend a decade with him in our home. He was able to relax, finally, after a life of work, work and more work. Stella got the kindest, softest, gentlest parts of him during that time. She is particularly distraught at his passing. They were peas in a pod.

 

This is my way of asking for help. And also a means by which those who loved and appreciated my Dad can express themselves. Stella and I will use any funds raised for cremation, scattering, and the eventual celebration of life to be held this summer. Any remaining funds will be donated to Santa Clara University as Dad had intended.

 

This is very very hard. I appreciate those who have reached out. We will view my Dad's body on Tuesday and are making arrangements at Wilhelm's in Sellwood.