This is to the best of my knowledge
About Dad
Kenneth Martin Clevinger was born at home on October 8, 1931 to James and Geneva Clevinger. He is the second oldest, with his sister being the oldest and his twin brothers being the youngest. His father passed away in 1973 and his mother in 1983. His brother Milton passed away in 2001 (I think).
He married Antoinette Ventura on January 16, 1967. They were married for almost 2 years when Amy was born in January 1969. They officially adopted me in June 1969. Peggy came along in September 1970...I'm not exactly sure of her official adoption date. Probably around March of 1971.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 799 and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Ken worked at Thorson Tool Company, American Airlines, and Aviall at Love Field. One of those jobs he worked from 3:00 pm-12:00 am. He was always a hard worker, not only on a job away from home, but always working around the house. He always had one of the best kept lawns in the neighborhood. When it came to Christmas, he always tried to the first one in the neighborhood to put up the Christmas lights. Some years he was, but sometimes he just go beat. But none the less, the house always looked gorgeous.
To be continued...
Please note that I am sure of the exact date he was diagnosed
The Disease
Dad was diagosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, in 1999. He was given 5 years to live. He lived 2 years past his time.
This disease was not a pleasant one. We watched dad suffer through the bouts of not being able to breathe. Oxygen finally became his constant companion. Everytime he would go to the doctor, mom was told his lungs were shrinking more.
Dad walked every day, until his breathing became more and more difficult. He was very active in his grandkids lives, taking them to sports practices and games, and going to school programs. It got to where just walking from one room to another in his house became tiresome.
The last time I saw him, we were at my cousins wedding on July 15, 2006. He was in the wheelchair, and even getting out to go to the wedding tired him.
I hope no one ever has to go through this horrible disease, but I know that there are others that are. This is one of the worst diseases in my opinion that anyone would ever have to deal with.
Please note that the date listed above is the date this entry was made.
Dad's Hobbies
Dad cherished his grandkids. No matter who it was or what it was for, he was always taking one of them to football, baseball, or even soccer. He loved sports, and no matter how weak or tired he was, he was always watching someone play.
The Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys were no exception. He was both teams #1 fan. He would get so mad during the Cowboys games that he would throw his ball cap onto the floor and stomp it. Too bad he didn't get to see the Mavericks go to the NBA finals in 2006. Unfortunately, they lost!!
He also enjoyed going to the Wylie high school football games or another high school game when he could with Mark and was always calling us to find out who they were playing and to talk about the game.
When Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman came out with a new sponsor for Nascar, dad took to that really quick. I'm a big Nascar fan, and whenever there was a race on, he would make sure I told him what place Tony Raines and the DLP/TI car came in.
As of the 2008 season, Aikman and Staubach no longer own the DLP/TI car. I wonder who he would have gone with? J.J Yeley maybe...the new driver for DLP/TI?
Dad also loved fishing. He cherished the times Mark would get the boat out and take him to the lake...oxygen tank in tow. He always came home with a "big fish" tale to tell. Or just a tale of something funny that happened. I will always remember the story of they were out in the boat and he had to use the restroom. Mind you...they are in the middle of the lake and the little motor they had for the boat wouldn't get him to shore fast enough. Mark just told him to go from the side of the boat since it was just them. Dad did and Mark said he got so tickled about getting to do that. That was the highlight of their fishing trip that evening.
The biggest highlight was when dad reeled in a 10lb blue. Mark said he was so excited and that it was great watching him reel it in.
He was always tinkering with something or another. He once bought an old, run down go cart for the boys. He fixed it up and had it running. Even the girls rode it. He was always out with them watching and having a blast with them.
He loved airplanes. Whether it was a model he was working on, or a "kite", he always had an airplane project going. He made so many airplanes, he ran out of space to store them. Mom called the office the "airplane room". We always knew where we could find him. Playing in the "airplane room".
Dad was also a HUGE fan of the Dallas Musicals. When mom worked out at Fair Park, she would get 2 tickets to the Musicals. Sometimes I got to go with dad, and it was a real treat to be able to go with him. We saw some really great shows: Annie, Yankee Doodle Dandy (with David Cassidy), and a couple others I can't remember.
Dad hated squirrels. They would eat his tomatos, or any other plant he had out in the backyard. So, he decided to go buy himself a live trap and catch those critters. I didn't know what he was going to do once he did, but he was determined. The first one he caught, he loaded it up into the back of the truck and took it to White Rock Lake and let it go. This became an every day affair. Some days he had the kids in tow, others, it was just him. One day he caught a possum, the nastiest of all mammels. So, he proceeds to load it up and took it to the lake. I thought he was crazy, but he wanted to let it go, just not at his house.
Even though he was on oxygen 24/7 for the last 2 years of his life, dad always managed to be right there with his family. He was a brave man and will be missed for eternity.
