On what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life, we lost someone who meant the world to us.

My father-in-law, Tommy J. Green, who was more of a father to me than my own, traveled from Texas to visit his son and I here in Florida with a simple dream and a bucket list of things he wanted to experience while he was here.

At the very top of that list was something he had been talking about for over a year: swimming with the manatees.

The day finally came, and he was so excited. Earlier that morning he had even started writing down the things he had already accomplished on his bucket list, and swimming with the manatees was the last thing left.

When we got out on the water and he finally saw a manatee from the boat, he smiled and said something we’ll never forget:

"I can die a happy man now that I've seen a manatee."

Those were the last words he said before getting into the water.

As he began snorkeling, he accidentally floated underneath the boat instead of around it. I reached out and pulled him toward me and tapped him on the shoulder to guide him around, but he didn’t respond. When I turned him over, he was already purple.

We immediately brought him back onto the boat and began CPR. His son — a paramedic and registered nurse — was there, along with another couple on board who were also a nurse and a medic. Tommy had the best possible chance anyone could have had in that situation, with trained medical professionals doing everything they could right there on the boat.

But despite everything we tried, we couldn’t bring him back.

His passing was sudden, unexpected, and devastating.

Tommy was a good man with a big heart. He loved his family deeply and had been so excited for this trip. The last photo we took of him was just before he got in the water, smiling and excited to finally cross that last dream off his list.

While we are grateful he got to see the manatees and experience that joy, we are now faced with the painful task of bringing him home to Texas so he can be laid to rest beside his late wife, Betty.

Because he passed away here in Florida, there are significant and unexpected costs involved in transporting him home.

We are hoping to raise $10,000 to help cover:

- Transportation from the Medical Examiner’s Office to the funeral home in Lecanto, Florida

- Funeral home processing and embalming

- The cost of a casket

- Transportation from the funeral home to Tampa International Airport

- The flight to transport him from Florida to Dallas, Texas

- Travel for his son and I so we can attend his funeral

The funeral costs once he arrives in Texas are currently being borrowed from a family member, and any remaining funds from this fundraiser will go toward paying her back.

This loss has been overwhelming, and the financial burden on top of the grief has been incredibly difficult.

If you are able to donate, any amount helps. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser so we can bring Tommy home and lay him to rest beside the love of his life.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, prayers, and support during this unimaginable time.