October ended on a very sad note. Uncle Al lost his battle to brain cancer. I spoke with Aunt Steph on Wednesday morning the 29th and knew that I needed to go home and see him as his health was rapidly declining. I had not been home since July. I called Kevin and he was so supportive. I loaded up the boys and we took off that day. I was blessed to spend time with Uncle Al and all my family. It is never easy watching someone lose their battle but I am so thankful that I was able to be there. It is time I will always cherish.
Uncle Al passed on Sunday night November, 2nd. After spending the day with most his brothers, sister-in-laws and Grandma. While it was so hard to say our goodbyes we all know he is in a better place now and no longer suffering.
I will miss him so much. He and Aunt Steph were such wonderful examples to us all, loving and living their lives to fullest. I know I will never watch a Ducks game, sit in a hay field or go on vacation without thinking of him. He loved to have "too much fun." And we all will remember him and his legacy!
I also just want to express my love and admiration for my Aunt Steph. She was such a rock. She took such wonderful care of Uncle Al. We are so thankful Uncle Al brought her into our family. We have been so blessed by her love and kindness.
I had the honor of reading Uncle Al's eulogy at his Celebration of Life. It was something that Aunt Steph wrote and she did such a beautiful job.
"Al Bonson had a
great Love of stories, whether reliving the events in one of his tall tales or
listening to adventures told by family and friends. He loved to laugh and make
others laugh. Like all true fisherman
and storytellers, the facts might be slightly exaggerated and bent over time,
but they were real and were a doorway into the man we knew and loved.
This is Al’s story.
Born the second son to Norman and Donna in San Diego
California, this is where his journey began.
Not all chapters in life begin and end in the way we foresee them so
Donna was soon caring for her young family and looking to the future.
Donna met and married Larry Root in 1961, and soon settled
in Idanha, Oregon. An idyllic time and
place with boundless opportunity for a growing family of young boys looking for
adventure. It was a like a page from Tom Sawyer, for Al and his brothers, Norm,
Craig, Andy & Hoot. Fishing and
playing on the river banks and in the woods were some of Al’s fondest memories
as a young boy. Al always had a close relationship
with all of his brothers and family.
A change of jobs in 1970 meant a move to Burns for the
family, and a new set of friends for Al.
Many of these friendships from elementary and high school became
life-long relationships. Al was a loyal
friend, quick to tease and just as quick to help you when you were down.
After graduating Al worked several jobs, including one at
Edward Hines Lumber Mill. In 1986 Al began working for his brother Andy,
alongside his father, Larry, brother Hoot and Uncle Dave, at Andy’s new
company, Andy’s Custom Work. Hard work
and long hours spent haying and farming in Burns and Christmas Valley were just
fine with Al, but helping teach his nieces and nephews along the way were the
times he treasured most. Al was great
with kids; he was tough, but always loving.
Around this time, The Powerhouse Restaurant hired a new
waitress; a new girl in town with red hair and an outlandish laugh. It was there that Al and Steph met for the
first time. They began dating in 1989,
sharing many passions, including family, travel, music and Oregon Duck
Football. Ten Short years later, they
realized they were perfect for each other.
They married in the spring of 1999.
Theirs was a home, open to Family & Friends. Many times their home was a needed respite
for those that were looking for another direction in their life. It didn’t matter the reason; they were always
welcome. Family and friends were the priority and focus in his life. Seeing them happy was always important to
him. Al was generous and giving with a
huge soft spot in his heart for those who were troubled or having a bit of bad
luck, often helping complete strangers out of a jam.
Al was incapable of staying mad at others. It was in his nature to forgive and begin
again. He may thunder on about an issue,
but quickly the smile was back. There wasn’t time in his life to stay
angry. His heart was large enough to
love and enjoy everyone around him.
Al and Steph travelled throughout their marriage. Family and
Friends joined them on trips from the Costa Rican jungle to the Caribbean
seas. He lived for adventure, grabbing
life with both hands and squeezing everything he could out of it; encouraging
others to do the same. Oregon Duck Football was a venue for sharing time with
others. He and Steph loved tailgating at
Autzen Stadium with family and friends. A mention of Oregon could cause you to
lose hours debating the merits of his favorite team.
As much as both Al and Steph loved to travel, they equally
loved living in Harney County. The
people and the country are amazingly beautiful.
The sense of community and fellowship here is a true blessing.
Al Bonson lived his life as an open book. Because he was comfortable and confident in
who he was and what he believed, he could be open and frank with anyone. It
might catch someone new off guard, but invariably that someone would become a dear
friend. And often, they would find
themselves more open around Al. He had a way of genuinely pissing people off,
yet was forgiven as easily as he forgave. Not a talent many of us have.
When Al faced the illness that threatened his health and
future, he battled it like a warrior poet. Against incredible odds, he chose to
hope and live each moment. He spent this
time as he did his life having adventures, and spreading Love. While he lost
his battle with illness in the end, his life came full circle. Those people whom he loved so much stepped
forward to be at his side, with hearts as large as his and encouragement along
the way.
Al Bonson.
This is how I will remember him: My Husband. My
Legend. My Best Friend."
God be with you til we meet again Uncle Al...
