Honoring Nancy & David Templeton: Help with Funeral Costs

On December 1, my father, David Templeton, passed away peacefully after spending his final days surrounded by love. One week later on December 8, my mother, Nancy Templeton, left this world to join him in eternity.

To know my parents was to known what genuinely good people truly are. It was to know what loving, supportive parents are. Most of all, to know my parents was to know without doubt that true love exists. No one embodied true, everlasting love like my mom and dad. They were married for 49 years and built a life of love and happiness together. The love they shared was so deep and strong that it touched everyone they met.

That love also made them incredible parents. Though they had only one child, you’d never know it to hear how many people called them Mom and Dad. They were parental figures to anyone who needed them to be and it gave them great pride and joy to have so many “adopted kids.”

Dad was a hardworking man who took care of his family. He was a doting husband and father. He was a guiding light for me and for many. Whenever I was in doubt about what to do, I’d ask him, assured in the fact that he would never steer me wrong. He always knew the right thing to do, and he did it.

Mom was a pure and gentle soul, a loving wife and mother, nurturing to all those around her. There was nothing you couldn’t talk to her about. She’d wipe your tears and then you’d feel alright again.

My parents were both so vibrant and full of life. They were the life of the party. They loved living. They were always ready for a road trip, a good meal, a day at a theme park. They loved to laugh and they loved to make people laugh. Whether it was Mom saying something just slightly naughty that you weren’t expecting from her (even though you should have) or Dad making a funny face or wearing a silly hat (or one of my wigs), they were always having fun and our house and everywhere they ever went was always full of laughter.

Dad was a proud US Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He was also proud of his time working for the phone company. Mom was a server when they met ams spent a few years selling makeup, but most of all she was happy to make our home and take care of us.

In his later years, Dad fought cancer and the complications it left with him, but he fought it bravely and with a smile on his face. Through treatments, surgeries, hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays, through every hardship, he kept his spirits up and never let it get him down. He always held hope he’d beat it and get stronger, but he never stopped being that kind, life-loving, funny man he always was.

Mom suffered a stroke in 2022 and it left were with vascular dementia the remainder of her days. While it affected her memory greatly, some things never changed. She never stopped loving me and Dad. She never stopped being kind. And she never stopped loving to make us laugh.

While I am heartbroken to no longer have them in this world with me, and losing them so close together is a shock I was not prepared for, I find immense comfort in knowing that they are together and that they never have to be sick or in pain again. Just happiness and adventure from here to eternity. I told my Dad as I sat at his side in his final days that Mom would meet him later. I think they decided they didn’t want to wait to start forever.

I find so much joy in all the happy memories, the laughs, and all the stories and memories everyone has shared with me so far.

My wish now is to give my parents the farewell and celebration they deserve. The planning of their service and burial is left solely to me as I have no siblings. There is no life insurance and no funeral arrangements were premade.

I am now humbly asking for help covering the cost associated with their funeral and service, as we look to hopefully hold services mid-December. Anything over the requested amount will go towards any unforeseen bills as well as repairs and future bills for the house.

Any and every contribution is an immense help, as are all of your prayers, thoughts, and kind words. I am eternally grateful for the support, kindness, and love that has been shown. Thank you all so much.