Page 31 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

I was not around for most of my Dan Dan’s golden age of life.
Even some of that I do not remember. I was small. One thing
I know is that he did not talk much. That is the funny thing,
most people in my family talk a lot. I do know that he was fun,
outgoing and friendly. It is like the whole world knew who
Dan Dan was. The things I hear about him are characteristics
that [most ordinary] people don’t have. When Dan Dan and
Nana go around Slaton, people say, "Hey, I loved that Mr.
Starkey at the high school.” At McDonald’s they even fix fresh
fruit parfaits for them. Some people call my Nana and Dan
Dan the King and Queen of Slaton. Even my voice teacher
loves him. The things I hear are special and sometimes funny.
Dan Dan is not well right now, but the good memories are
always going to be there. He has made a difference in so many he would sit on the couch and watch Scooby
kids’ lives. On Easter Sunday he told me he loved me. Doo with me.
~Kash Starkey
~Love, Ryne Starkey
11 years old
Dear Dan Dan,
It’s so much fun when I’m with you
Popsicles in the Summer You have great things for us to do.
I was the little girl that spent every weekend at her
grandparents’ house. I would spend my summers learning to I’ll best that you look back and see
swim, eating popsicles, playing tennis, or going to the Science When you were little just like me.
Did you play games and ride a bike?
Spectrum. My Nana and Dan Dan loved to spend time with us Why, I didn’t know we were so much alike!
grandkids just as much as we loved spending time with them.
My Dan Dan is a remarkable man. He is kind, smart, and I hope you had a Dan Dan like mine,
patient. He is loved by so many people. My Dan Dan taught Always patient and loving and kind.
Here is a secret and it is true-
me how to play tennis, and do my math homework. He is Everyone needs a Dan Dan like you!
so patient with his grandkids, and we’re a handful. He has a
calming presence and thinks before he speaks.
My Nana asked me to write about my favorite memories, ~Love, Ryder
9 years old
and I cannot pick just one. However, when I think of time spent
with my grandfather, I think of popsicles. We would sit outside,
eating popsicles no matter the weather. I preferred cherry or “A Friend for a Lifetime”
orange, and Dan Dan was content with any flavor. I had a As a young boy you search for
A friend to share your fun.
“popsicle shirt” I wore to keep the melty popsicles off of my One you could play with and be exhausted,
clothes.
I am so thankful for the memories I have with my When a long day was done.
grandfather. Whether he was teaching me to play tennis, or we I discovered such a person.
A friendship that might last forever.
were going to the Science Spectrum, he was constantly loving Someone that would enter excitedly,
all of us. I could go on and on about every memory I have
with my grandfather. It is incredible to see all the people my Into any chosen endeavor.
grandfather has touched with his kindness. I am very blessed to He was truly a nice person.
One that my parents would love.
have been given my grandparents. They love me, Kash, Ryder, A person I could depend on,
and Ryne unconditionally.

~Averi Starkey

I have many great memories of Dan Dan so
it was hard to choose just one. One of my
fondest memories was going to the high
school and refilling the vending machines.
He would always save a few bags of T.G.I. F.
cheddar chips for me. We would also run our
morning errands to the post office, and after,

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