Donate to help our dad, BJ, laid to rest

Help me lay my dad, BJ, to rest.

On July 31, 2025, we lost someone who meant the world to us—my father BJ. He was only 48 years old. Too young. Too soon. And while his life wasn't always easy, it was real, it was full, and it was deeply human.

My dad was a plumber by trade and also had a season of preaching the Word, but to me, he was so much more. He was a teacher with calloused hands, a protector with a soft heart, and a man who kept showing up, even when life knocked him down. He lived loudly, laughed boldly, and loved imperfectly—like many of us do.

He had his battles, and addiction was one of them. It didn't take his life, but it left its mark—on him, and on those who loved him. Our relationship wasn't always smooth, but despite the cracks and silences, there was always love. The kind of love that survives even when words fail. The kind of love I'll carry with me forever.

One of my favorite memories of him is simple but unforgettable: I was just a kid, trying to be serious, resting my hand on his shoulder and saying, "Dad, I know you're a plumber... but I think the hammer is my favorite tool." He burst out laughing—this big, deep laugh that could fill a room. He told that story for years, and every time, it made him smile like it was brand new.

That's the dad I want to remember. Not perfect, but present. Not without flaws, but full of love.

Right now, we're trying to raise funds to give him a proper burial and say goodbye the way he deserves. Anything you can give—no matter the amount—will help our family to cover funeral and burial expenses. And if you can't donate, sharing this page would mean the world to us.

Thank you for reading, and for helping us through this painful time with love and support.

With love and gratitude, Ayla and family