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Our
fathers provide a unique, guiding relationship in our lives. They play
with us; they laugh with us; and they teach us all sorts of important
skills like how to fish, camp and use power tools. They also love us and
tuck us in at night in a way only a father can. June 19 is the day for
all of us to honor our fathers, and each year The TowneLaker, in
conjunction with that special day, sets out to honor one special father
from the community. We received several heart felt and wonderful letters
regarding some very special men in the community, but one letter, from
15 year-old William Krokey about his father stood out. And the honor of
The TowneLaker's Father of the Year is bestowed on Ron Krokey.
Ron
is like a lot of fathers. He goes to work each day; he helps with the
dishes; he attends church on Sunday mornings; and he's there for his three
sons, Mike, age 20, Brian, age 19, and William, age 15. What makes Ron
unusual and special in his sons' eyes is the fact he does all of these
"normal" dad activities in between administering peritoneal dialysis five
times a day. It's the father he was and continues to be throughout all
of his struggles that prompted his youngest son, William, to nominate
Ron for Father of the Year.
Ron
and his family are originally from Cleveland, Ohio and came to Towne Lake
more than eight years ago with a job transfer. Eighteen years ago, Ron
was told he had non-hereditary kidney disease. For the next twelve years,
Ron was able to live a fairly normal life 1 it wasn't until five and one-half
years ago that he needed to start dialysis. Ron is on a transplant list,
but due to the high number of antibodies in his body, the only option
for him is a living transplant. His boys are an option for a living transplant
when and if it comes to that point.
Shortly
after 9-11, Ron was laid off from his company, and due to the economy,
finding a new job proved to be quite difficult. Ron's kidney disease leaves
him tired most of the time, and instead of laying around the house, Ron's
wife, Andrea, convinced him to volunteer at their church, First Baptist
of Woodstock. Ron describes that decision as a real pivotal point in his
life. "The spiritual growth I have received from this disease has far
outweighed the negative," he said. "I gained a real peace from knowing
there's a reason for all of this, and at times, it can be overwhelming.
But my faith gets me through it all."
Ron's
faith has been deeply instilled in his three boys. They are all amazed
at Ron's strength and fortitude. "He is very present in all our lives,"
said Brian. "He has taught me that everyone has problems, but there's
always someone watching over you. And as I get older, I realize he's been
right all along!" said Mike. William commented that Ron has taught him
to have a spiritual relationship with God and that God comes before anything
else.
Before
dialysis, Ron played sports with his sons constantly, and you can tell
that's one thing all of them really miss. He still gets out there and
tosses the football with them and has coached Brian's basketball teams,
and he tries to go to all of William's track meets. "My dad has kidney
disease, but he is not the disease," said William. Ron tries to make his
disease as unobtrusive into family life as possible. His boys know that,
and appreciate that.
The
one piece of advise Ron gives to his boys is, "Always know God has a plan
for you, and be mindful of that plan. You have to want God in your life."
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My
dad's name is Ron Krokey. I believe that my dad deserves to be the Father's
Day dad because he has been an inspiration to me and our family.
My
dad has kidney failure and is on kidney dialysis. He does peritoneal dialysis
five times a day. His day starts at 5:30 a.m. so that he can do dialysis
before he leaves the house to go to work as a purchasing manager for Silverline
Windows. He does dialysis at lunch time and then again on his way home
because the plant is one hour from our house. Before the day ends, he
does dialysis one time before bed and then while he is sleeping. He works
so he can show me that as a man, you need to provide for your family the
best way you can.
Because
of his illness, he barely has any energy. He spends most of his weekends
resting from the week but somehow he still finds the energy to volunteer
when needed at the concession stand for my sport activities at school
or throw the football around with me.
We
attend First Baptist Church and I know that some Sundays he is unable
to get up for church but he pushes himself to attend Sunday school and
church every weekend. He has shown me that it is important to have spiritual
guidance in your life and pursue a relationship with Christ.
He
does this because of how much he cares for our family and he wants us
to know that whatever has been thrown your way, you need to make the best
of it. That is why I believe that my dad deserves to be Father's Day dad.
He does everything in his power to make it so that my life is easy and
I know how hard it is on him. My dad is and always will be there for me
the rest of my life. I hope to become the man that he is one day for my
family.
1
William Krokey, age 15
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