Harry Elmer Queen, Sr.

My father lived 91 years, 7 months and 26 days. He did not go quietly into the night. You do not live to be 91 by going quietly into the night. And that is the point I want to address to his dear great grandchildren whom he loved. You knew pa only as a man in declining health and someone you saw as very fragile and weak. That however, is like the blind man examining a small part of the elephants anatomy, it is not the whole picture. I want to impress upon you the strength of Harry Queen Sr. While never tipping the scales over 165 pounds he was one of the strongest men I will ever know. Every boy waits for the day he can whip his dad; in our culture, we rarely do so, but we wait for the day we think we can whip our dad. I had to wait until he was about 70 years old. As a teen , I would have outweighed him by forty pounds and been at least 3 inches taller. I would not have stood a chance. He was so quick, in fact he was a runner at Manual High School, but you have to understand that in his day, extra curricular activities were given a very low priority, and the things you do as competition at an early age were unheard of. He was a great skater both roller skating and ice skating. It was the first that broke the ice with my mother, who worked for him at the Colorado Candy Co. and by, her and his admission, would not give him the time of day. She showed up at a skating rink with her sisters, and my dad taught her how to skate, and the rest is history. His hand strength was unbelievable as well. As late as age 14, I did not have a prayer of unlocking his grip with both of my hands. How much did he love his family?. Enough to turn down promotions that required leaving Denver. Offered major promotions to manage in Greeley, Kansas and Las Vegas, he turned them all down. La Familia was too important. And that meant the extended family, brothers, sisters, nieces nephews, his grown children, and of course his grandchildren at that time. No amount of money offered could move him, though I know the Las Vegas job interested him as that was his favorite visiting place. Was he protective? An example, we attended the state high school basketball tournament for over 45 years. In 1969 we were at the Denver Coliseum and at the conclusion of the game, a riot broke out. Sharon was pregnant with Michael and Janice with Larry. My brother, Harry Jr. was actually ahead of us in the pandemonium but my dad mistakenly thought he was behind us. Back he went, at age 52 into the crowd to find and defend Harry. My father was religious and Roman Catholic to the core. . The picture of the sacred heart of Jesus remained over his bed. All other religious items did too. When Father Goggins came two days before dad's death to give him the precious anointing of the sick (used to be called last rights), dad was weak, feeble and almost never coherent. He softly and clearly said to Fr. Goggins ""Thank You"". Longevity has it's rewards, but also its cross to bear. Seeing all your brothers and sisters as well as your beloved wife pass on is a terrible sentence. When few if any of your peers walk the earth, it is difficult. Dad never lost his love of life, his strong will to live and his great joy being with his ""family"" on Saturday night dinners. He brooded when any were absent but enjoyed beyond description those who were there and particularly his great grandchildren. My father lived the good life. Never rich in earthly possessions, what he did possess was priceless. Celebrate his life. Do not forget him but let him go. He is with so many who were dear to him. From Alabama, however, comes this wisdom. Even though we know it is a blessing for him, it leaves a hole in our hearts. My dear friend, Mabel Barth is the founder of the Listening Post. She celebrated her 100th birthday last August.. She told me as she always tells a grieving person, ""your life will never be the same"". On Christmas Eve, his last good day, Dad told me he was talking to mom. As earthlings we think they are not dealing with reality. In and out of consciousness after that he told me he was looking for mom. I should never have doubted him. Together Again.