Melvin Owen Kevin Harding Jr.

On October 29th my Mom took my Dad to the ER, with what we thought was going to be pnemounia and it was pnemounia. We all truly believed he would get better until the Doctor said the ugliest word we have ever heard... CANCER! Then our world was turned up side down. They believed the mass in his lung was cancer. That was on Sunday October 29th, after a biopsy the doctor told us on November 4th about 2:30pm that it is definitely was cancer and by 3:55pm Sunday, November 5th he had passed away. We are so glad he he didn't suffer long. The song "He Didn't Have to Be" by Brad Paisley sums up my relationship with my Dad: "And then all of a sudden ah it seemed so strange to me, How we had gone from something's missing to a family, Lookin' through the glass I think about the man that's standing next to me And I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be." Anyone that knew my Dad would be able to tell you that he was the true definition of the term "to give the shirt right off his back". From the time that he came into my family's life he would always do whatever anyone needed no questions asked. From being a taxi driver, to fixing electronics, installing CD players and brakes in cars, or even being the jokester to make everyone laugh or smile. He definitely had a great sense of humor and a wonderful heart of gold. Honestly the day my Mom said he was going to be moving all the way from Indiana I kinda thought this is crazy, they met online. But then that day came and I finally got to meet him and it was like an instant bond between him and I. He opened his heart and treated me and Kevin like we were one of his own. And when Kevin and I had children we were so excited to watch the amazing relationship he shared with each of them, as Dad would call them: his "Mac-a-doodle-noodle", to his "Buddy-Bud-Bud", to his Barbara his "little pumpkin". The times they have shared together can literally just warm your heart. We all were so lucky to be able to see the love that him and my Mom had for each other, their relationship was one that so many adored because of the wonderful bond that they shared. My Dad no matter what was going on could just look at my Mom and wink at her and you could see smile run across her face. I am so unbelievably grateful for how happy he made my Mom and I know with all of these amazing memories we will be able to keep the spirit of my Dad alive. I created this GoFundMe account in order to assist with medical bills as well as funeral costs. If you would please share this with anyone who knew and love my Dad as we all did it would be greatly appreciated! With love and many thanks, Jackie