Tribute to My Dad...
May 3, 2007 He went home to be with the LORD... I have truly been blessed when it comes to having quality parents and a dad who's eternal legacy was his devotion to his family and the Lord Jesus Christ. Dad loved his family beyond words. He worked his entire life to provide for us, to teach us how to survive, to mould us into being honest hard working people, to train us in the things of the Lord, and to teach us how to KNOW that we have an eternal home in Heaven. He had so many wonderful traits. Without a doubt, Dad's honesty, courage, patriotism, work ethic, and devotion to Christ was the single most important influence upon my life.He taught me by example that it was more blessed to give than to receive. I can remember as a child seeing my dad tear up a check that was over 1000.00 dollars for a motor that he had rebuilt for a man because the man felt there had been a discrepancy in the charges. I can remember watching in amazement as my dad handed the torn up check back to the man and saying "if you ever want to thank me, why don't you come on up and go to church with us. He had many names because he represented many things to many people. He was a husband, a father, a friend, a brother, a grand dad, not to mention the various titles he earned in the profesional world. To have the honor of being one of his children is indescribable. My dad was someone that would cheer you during your good times and carry you through your hard ones. My father was a gentle giant who wore size 16 boots. They were quite impressive to look at and even more impressive when you realize those boots were hot on your trail for something you shouldn't have done, I am sure my brother and sister can attest to that! Trying to choose just a few of his wonderful attributes is a daunting task, because how do I put into words a description that can even possibly come close to expressing to the world about the man who is responsible for everything I am today? When I was growing up and just getting my wings, I can remember how most people reffered to me as Delmar's daughter or aren't you the fire chief's daughter? I remember feeling frustrated that everywhere I went I was under his shadow... Now, as I look back on that time I realize just how special he really was to so many people, yet he always had time for his family. One of the most important things a father can do for his children is to love and respect his wife, their mother, and to model husbandly dedication and responsibility. These unmistakable commitments were very clear to anyone that knew him and were not dependent on the circumstances that surrounded his life at any time. We watched as his quality of life slowly chipped away... A man that built a life using his hands and feet, suddenly could no longer feel them, yet still, he trusted the Lord to provide. We watched as he fought just to be able to eat a single meal yet still he remained faithful to his commitments when it was the hardest and gave God the glory. I take great comfort in visualizing what it must be like for him now with his new body. No more pain, no more suffering...my Dad was truly a hero and as I look at the empty size 16 boots he has left behind and I understand now that the Lord realized it would take a mighty big boot to fit such a spectacular man. I Love and miss you Daddy! (I will never forget seeing this gentle giant fighting his battles on his knees.....)
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY SISTER JERI COYNER
OCTOBER 10, 1964 - FEBRUARY 1, 2003
In loving memory of my brother
Dale V. Coyner
October 20, 1961 - December 4, 2010
Dale was taken from us after a very short 4 month battle with cancer. His life and devotion touched many.
Steamboat Springs — There weren’t enough seats in the auditorium. There weren’t enough lines in the signature books for friends and relatives.
And there were nowhere near enough tissues Sunday at Steamboat Springs High School, where it felt like all of Steamboat Springs gathered to honor and remember native son Dale Coyner, a sergeant in the Steamboat Springs Police Department, a husband and a father, and a man unquestionably loved by the hundreds in attendance. A procession of law enforcement vehicles preceded the memorial service, driving slowly down Lincoln Avenue with lights flashing before turning toward the high school from which Coyner graduated in 1980 as an accomplished wrestler and state champion football player.
Coyner served with the Police Department since 1998. He died in his sleep early Dec. 4 after a 4 month battle with esophageal cancer.
“Being in law enforcement was a lifestyle for Dale, not just a job, His blood truly did run blue.”
Several law enforcement officers said Sunday’s service was the first multi-agency memorial in Steamboat Springs in well more than a decade. Uniformed officers from numerous agencies filled scores of seats in the auditorium. They stood as one near the end of the service and raised their hands in salute as, with all radios tuned to Routt County Law 1, Rae contacted county dispatch to acknowledge the “end of watch” for badge number Sam 6-4.
After a dispatcher announced the end of Coyner’s duties, every law enforcement agency in Routt County, from Colorado State Patrol to Colorado State Parks, from West Routt to Steamboat Lake to Stagecoach, had a representative respond to the call and thank Coyner for his service.
“He was the epitome of a perfect police officer,” Rae said, citing Coyner’s strong values, moral code and dedication to duty. “You just had to let him know what the problem or the issue was, and he would amaze you with the result.”
Rae said Coyner, who he called “a big, massive, behemoth of a man,” had a rare ability to communicate with people in any of the situations that encounter law enforcement officers.
Rae drew laughs with an imitation of Coyner’s listening posture: Thumbs tucked into his gunbelt, leaning forward, head slightly tilted and eyebrows raised. At 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 240 pounds, Rae said Coyner’s presence could be intimidating. But you wouldn’t know it from watching Coyner’s compassion when interacting with people in difficult situations.
“Never once did I hear him raise his voice with anybody …because he didn’t have to,” Rae said. “His presence alone inspired respect.”
Coyner inspired plenty of laughter, too.
Bosick, a fellow Steamboat Springs native who entered law enforcement at about the same time as Coyner, told of a Steamboat 10K race in which the two friends were jostling in a competitive sprint to the finish line.
The race photographer caught an image of Bosick’s hand on Coyner’s chest. Coyner bought the photo, framed it and hung it at the Police Department, where Bosick said Coyner pointed it out “every time I went into his office.”
One night, on a camping trip with several families, Bosick said he was sitting around the fire enjoying conversation when he felt a burning sensation on his leg.
Bosick said he looked down and saw that Coyner had attached a shock collar — from one of the Coyner family’s “47 little ankle-biters” — onto his leg, set to a high level.
“He about fell out of his chair laughing,” Bosick said. “Dale spent the rest of the evening mimicking the noises I made.”
McKnight said when he asked Coyner what the sergeant would want to say to his law enforcement colleagues, Coyner listed four things:
■ Do the right thing.
■ Be self-motivated and content with yourself. Don’t do things for the recognition. Do them because they need to be done.
■ Help others, and do your best to make things better.
■ Realize how blessed you are to work with good people and live in a place like this.
Those messages, McKnight noted, can apply not only to the law enforcement community, but also to the community as a whole.
The law enforcement community honored Coyner’s memory in one more way Sunday.
Rae said that by order of Chief Hays, Sgt. Coyner’s badge number officially is retired from the Police Department.
“No officer from this point forward will wear that badge number, nor will that radio number be issued again,”
.
Precious Sister
Sometimes I still hear the sound of your voice.
I wish you were still here with me, but you had no choice.
I know an Angel held you as your body said goodbye.
But that doesn’t stop my heart from breaking.....
........“I miss you and I cry”.
No one can believe that you are really gone,
Our hearts are broken and our spirits moan.
“She was to young”, I’ve heard people say,
“Why did she, have to die this way?”
I try not to be anger, I kneel and I pray,
Asking God to be with us, as we face each day.
I always try to give Mom an extra kiss,
To make up for a little girl, she will always miss.
I understand everyone's emptiness and their sorrow too,
Because, “My precious sister..... we all miss you“.
I know you are happy in Heaven above,
Surrounded by the Angels and all their love.
But today on earth, my heart still grieves,
Because you are no longer here to talk with me”.
I will look toward Heaven, for I know I will see
A Star that will suddenly glow big and bright,
It will be my sister smiling....
..... and watching over me.
