Rick is my brother in law. It seems he's always been part of the family as I was not yet even a teenager when Rick and Terri started dating. I had the chance to spend the week with Terri, Megan and Robin after his death. They are three amazing women. I can see Rick in both of his incredible daughters. I had the privilege to hear again of the great love story between Rick and Terri. What a huge loss for this dear family and for his work family at USAREC. He is a strong man with a gentle spirit and he is loved deeply by all those who know him.  I wish I'd been able to spend more time with their family while he was still with us but we never lived in the same place! Rick is very accomplished professionally but all you have to do is spend some time with the Jeffrey women to know that his greatest accomishment and love is his family.  My daily prayers will include Terri, Megan and Robin. I pray they will bask in his memory and in the love he has for them.

Terri, We are sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in our prayers.

What I remember most about my father is his hands. Large and tan, the backs covered in a fine forest of smooth black hair, they wiped away my tears, washed my hair, edited my papers, and made my dinners. In the later years of his life he took to wearing what he referred to as “man jewelry”; a Pittsburgh Pirates cord necklace. An Alaskan silver bracelet, engraved with a whale. But for as long as I have been alive, he always wore his college ring - a large gold band, with a cut amber stone that shone brighter than sunlight.

When I was a child, as I will never be again, I asked him about it. What it was, why he never took it off. I remember sitting on the floor of my parent's bedroom, the safest place in the world, with the ring held in my stubby fingertips. My dad explained he bought it for himself after he'd become a doctor - that's what the PhD letters on the side meant. I asked him why. He explained that he had been proud to have gotten a degree where he felt he could make a difference and he wore the ring as a reminder that he'd achieved something good.

My dad was many things. He was a carpenter. He loved to work with his hands and he could make wood look like marble. He was an artist, though I don't know if he ever thought of himself that way. He was an academic, with a poet's soul, and though he never got a chance to write his book, I know I've written mine because of him.

We never could agree who was the better composer: Beethoven or Chopin. Nights at the dinner table were spent playing our own version of “Name That Tune” where Dad would put five or six movie soundtracks on shuffle and make us guess where each theme was from. He could sit in the living room, listening to everything from Pachabel to Elton John with a stillness and eloquence I envied and did my best to emulate. He taught me to enjoy silence as much as value words. Although he was always ready with a Franklin-style homily, when I think of Dad I more often think of silence than anything else. 

The silence since his passing has been deafening. And words which once enriched my life seem empty. I fill up the hole in my heart with the stories people tell me about my dad, with the words they share with me about how much he made a difference in their life, and I don't know yet if there will ever be the right words to describe how much his life has changed mine. But I know that he wouldn't want me to stop looking for the right words, and that one day I will make a difference just as he did. My dad achieved so much more than I think he ever realized. And though I have pieces of him in every book he inscribed to me and every CD he gave to me, I know he left his mark on every heart here, and that each of us will look to his memory for guidance moving forward.

Eulogy: Patriot, philosopher, teacher, historian, reader, writer, poet, hunter, hiker, archer. An admirer of art, lover of music, student of life, man of God, man of honor, quintessential family man.  These are just some of the words I would use to describe my husband of almost 34 years.  But those who asked him who he was often heard him reply, “I'm just a simple country boy from Yuba City.”  And indeed he was; but this simple boy had a dream to rise above his circumstances, and I am the lucky woman who was blessed to live that adventurous life with him.  

There are other words to describe him – loyal, loving, witty, charming, passionate, funny, intelligent, diligent, dedicated.  But the most important words I can use are husband and father.  You are looking at a woman who considers herself to be one of the most fortunate on the planet; he made sure every day that I knew I was loved: notes on my windshield, special music in my CD player, telephone calls on my way to work, mysteriously arriving gifts.  We are husband and wife and we are best friends; we shared so many of the same interests and took joy in the beauty of our country, traveling and living in a number of states and making sure we made the most of each stop on our life's journey.  But the most wondrous thing we shared were our two incredible daughters.   Their young lives brought us a sense of awe and pride as we watched them interact and learn to manage their world.  Their adult lives have brought us that same sense of awe and pride in the kind of young women they have become.  They were the center of his universe, lifting them up in heart and mind to face the challenges of life.

Words are powerful, but words fail me today when I try to describe my husband to you.  Words fail me today when I try to describe the depth of the loss I feel.  Words fail me today as I try to say goodbye to my husband and friend.   But his words of love, support and encouragement; his words of grace and honor, humor and wit will linger in my heart and my soul for my remaining days.  Rest in peace my dear husband and know that I will look for you every day.

When I tried to figure out what I want to say about my father, several ideas leapt into my head. And no sooner than when I had tried to focus, and build a theme on one of them, another would nudge its way forward. Often something that took this narrative in a completely different direction but then again… perhaps that is perfect. 

My father was a 6'6”, barrel-chested, giant of a man… who loved Rogers and Hammerstein musicals as much as he loved Roberto Clemente.

He read philosophical works, Ancient Histories, Shakespeare… and the Harry Potter Books, with equal relish. 

To me, he always seemed the perfect gentleman; even when his bellowing laughter caused the other diners around us in a restaurant to start in their seats and glance sideways in our direction.

He was old fashioned and, some would say, rather set in his ways… yet I was always amazed by his willingness to listen to opinions that challenged his own… or at least his attempts to listen… because he knew that was what made men… what made him… wiser. 

Did I mention his fabulous Star Wars collection? Or his growing array of movie-sword replicas? Did you know he has binders full of classical music and Meatloaf albums? Not to mention the DVDs, Laserdiscs and VHS tapes of all genres? Would it surprise you that one his favorite films of recent years was a “kids” movie about a boy and his dragon?

I'd wager it would.

But you see, there is simply not enough time for me to say everything I want to about my father… there is just too much about him that I love. He was kind. He was brave. He taught me that the past should be cherished just as dearly as the present. And even though the future looks a little darker, I know that the love he gave us is enough to see us, and everyone who mourns him, through it.

As Rogers and Hammerstein would say: “At the end of the storm is a golden sky…” and there, I know, Papa will be waiting.

Terri its been a long time sorry for your loss

Terri, Megan, and Robin, Rick will be missed by all.  What an incredible and loving man your father and husband was.  We are all praying for comfort for you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you constantly.
All our Love
John and Valarie

Megan, my thoughts and prayers will be for you during the next few days. For you, they may be filled with mourning, laughter and love as your friends and family draw near to each other for strength. Remember to let others help you too, because you don't always have to be the strong one. Let the tears and love flow.

Terri, Megan, and Robin.  I worked with Dr. Jeffrey here at HQs USAREC.  He was very well liked and his kind smile will surely be missed.  As a woman widowed at a young age myself, I hope you find peace in the love of God, family, and friends during this difficult time.  Take care and God Bless You and your daughters......

Terri, Megan & Robin, 
Words can not express how sorry I am for your loss. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that others in the Reservoir HS community are thinking of you and praying for you during this difficult time.

Aunt Terri, Megan & Robin-
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I wish there was some magical thing I could say to make everything better for you all - but just know that we are all here for you and loving you! Sending prayers for healing and love! Rick was a wonderful man, husband and father and I am truly blessed to call him my Uncle Rick! We love you!!

Terri, Megan and Robin, 
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  So sorry for your loss.
Patrick & Jennifer McClinton

Dear Terri & Girls,  You are in my prayers.  I didn't know Rick well, but know he was a great husband and Dad.  He will be sorely missed.

Aunt Jean, Peoria, AZ

Sending prayers and deepest sympathy to you Terri and your girls. I went to high school with Rick. Sending prayers to all of you.

Terri, may you and your girls find peace in your memories of Richard and your beautiful life together.  My prayers and thoughts are with your family.

I worked with Dr. Jeffries at US Army Recruiting Command and know he will be missed.  I hope happy memories will help alleviate the sorrow of his passing.

Terri & girls, please accept my deepest sympathy at the passing of Rick. I remember him as a little boy going to Barry School, when we all were there. Terri don't know if you remember me from 4H, but went all thru the years with Mike & he told us! So grateful. You're family pictures show what a wonderful life & family you had. So sweet! HUGS!

Rick was a beloved nephew and I know how proud his mother and father were of him and all that he accomplished, not the least of which was to marry Terri and raise two beautiful daughters. I feel fortunate to have been in the same town while he was growing up and so had many occasions to be with him at family affairs.  Although I wasn't able to see him as much in the last several years, I know that I will miss him dearly. 
Aunt Linda

It is a great loss when any life leaves this earth and a greater loss if the life is young and still has more to offer. I had just spoke with Dr Jeffrey last week and he looked to be in good health. I pray that the family finds their way through these troubling times and that God recieves Richard with open arms. There is no better gift then the gift of being taken into Gods arms and watching over your family from above while you wait to be reunited.

Patrick E Wedge
Psychology Technician
Ireland Department of Behavioral Health

My thoughts and prayers go out to Richard's family.  May God be with you during this time of sorrow.

OBITUARY

Dr. Richard W. Jeffrey

July 22, 1959 – July 26, 2014

Heady-Hardy Funeral Home

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