My PawPaw

 I mentioned in the previous post that my precious Pawpaw died in July. I never did get to brag on him on here, so now I am! He was one of those people that was just sweet spirited. I remember being a teenager and thinking, well, everyone thinks their grandparents are sweet. One night I was babysitting, and a friend of the parent’s knew my uncles and grandfather. She asked specifically how he and my grandmother were doing and then stated what a sweet man he was. It dawned on me then that not everyone has awesome grandparents. He was am amazing singer and sang at all of the grandchildren’s weddings that had gotten married so far. Whenever we told someone my grandfather was singing, they would shake their head sweetly and say how nice! When they heard him, they were blown away! He also sang each granddaughter “You are 16 going on 17” from the Sound of Music on our 16 birthdays. I am so thankful that I still have the voicemail of him and my grandmother delivering their “singing telegram” for my birthday this year. He and my grandmother cooked Sunday lunch for us (and my dad’s 4 bros and their families) every Sunday from the time I can remember until I left for college. Those are some of my best family memories, and I am so thankful that he made his family a priority. I think my dad definitely got that quality from him. Her loved politics and we will miss him at the debates this year. I also loved that he was willing to match my grandmother when they got dressed-how many men are confident enough to do that?! His gentle spirit will live on in our family’s legacy through all the lives he touched. We all know Jesus had a special spot for him leading a choir of angels!

Preston and PawPaw

PawPaw and the greats...I have a pic just like this with the grands!

PawPaw-80, Pres-4 days

One of his former students wrote in to the CA:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/28/letter-teacher-heart/
Another article from a staff writer in the CA:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/28/troubadour-touched-memphis-with-voice-teaching/

After reading is obituary, I felt like I needed to get busy!

EDWARD JOSEPH BOUSSON JR, 81, dearly loved husband and father, affectionately called 'Pappaw' by his nine grand and seven great grandchildren, passed away July 22 following a short illness. He lived a full life of devotion to family and music; sharing his rich, tenor voice and musical gifts throughout the Memphis area for nearly 60 years. 'Mr. Boo', as he was known to hundreds of music and theatre students, taught at Tech and Kingsbury High Schools. He often said he knew from the beginning he wanted to sing for a living. Ed earned his undergraduate degree from Memphis State University. After completing his Masters in Music at LSU in Baton Rouge, he auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera. He later landed a spot to sing on the Arthur Godfrey Radio Show. While performing at Memphis Open Air Theatre, he met and married his 'dance partner', Joyce Small. He performed with Memphis Opera Theatre and was lead tenor in shows like La Traviata and Madame Butterfly. A much sought after vocalist for fundraisers, rallies and special events, he performed for President Richard Nixon and at the dedication of St. Jude, singing 'Danny Boy' for founder Danny Thomas. For a number of years, Ed was also a weekly performer on the WREC 'Good Morning Memphis' television program. He served in Korea as part of the 304th Signal Battalion with the U.S. Army. Always civic minded, Ed was involved with several non-profit organizations and was elected to two terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives. For 31 years, he served the Memphis School System as a teacher and assistant principal. After retirement, not yet ready to stop, Ed continued his music career and also worked as a billing agent for FedEx for seven more years. He was also a past President of the Memphis Area Retired Teachers Association. Since the age of 24, he was song director for several churches, and until knee replacement surgery a few months ago, led the singing at Macon Road Church of Christ. At the age of 70, working with one of his students, pianist David Troy Francis, he went to Hollywood to record his first professional CD, titled 'Splendored Things', a story of love songs featuring classics, 'Til There Was You,' 'Over the Rainbow', 'If Ever I Would Leave You' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce; and their five sons: Eddie (Julie); Mark (Tracey), Jeff (Kathy), Danny (Chyrel) and Brent. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 27 and Saturday July 28 from 9-10 a.m. funeral services will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday July 28, all will be at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens on Germantown Rd. Online condolences and floral tributes may be made by visiting www. memphisfuneralhome.net.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.