vELLIOT continued from page 4 apparently having a bad day and approached their table looking very depressed and downtrodden. Grandpa Pete gave her a bright smile and said, “Well good morning, pretty lady.” They began talking and, before J.D. knew it, the woman’s face was full of joy and she had a skip in her step. J.D. said he then decided to always look for ways to brighten someone’s day. “He wanted to make people feel more valued than they valued themselves,” Stephen said. Penni added, “One year, J.D. and I in honor of his Grandpa Pete and my grandmother, bought two new pews for the add-on of the church that we went to in Frisco, Texas.” Some of J.D’s awards: CPRW-10 Outstanding Leadership Award. Navy Commendation Medal. National Defense Medal. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Many shipmates commented this about J.D, “He always had to use the last drop of gas when he was working. That was his thing, and he always made sure that the job was done correctly.” STGCS (SW) Garry D. Sims US Navy retired, knew J.D. for 39 years. He says this about his friend: “JD and I went from scrubbing toilets to very senior leadership positions. I saw him in every situation possible and he served with honor and distinction. The world is a worse place without him in it. One morning, J.D. got a call from his friend telling him that one of their buddy’s house got hit by a tornado. Out of the kindness of his heart, J.D. told his buddy, “I’m on my way to help.” J.D. went to Home Depot and bought up all the plywood and other supplies needed. Penni added sandwiches, chips, and drink. It took two hours to get there. Once a month, J.D. and his Navy buddies would go to help his friend clear off his land to get it ready for the house he was going to build. They called it the SPA. After all their work, they’d sit around a campfire and tell old sea stories, then shoot at homemade targets they’d made. “J.D. was a very loving and caring person,” Penni said. “He had a heart of gold.” “No one will miss J.D. more than his wife, kids, and grandkids; but we siblings grew up very close and remained close throughout the years,” Stephen said. “We regularly had video chats and many drawnout group texts. We made each other laugh — and JD was always in the middle of it. We’ll continue to make each other laugh, but it will never be the same until we’re all together in heaven. There we’ll pick up where we left off … laughing together again. “You spend any time with J.D. you will hear about Penni, his kids, his grandchildren and his friends. He loved his relationships — none more than his wife, kids, and grandchildren.” n Complete Care Of The Head & Neck Region • Chronic Sinus Problems & Endoscopic Sinus Surgery David J. Abbott, M.D. • Chronic Ear Infections & Ventilation Tubes Board Certified Otolaryngologist • Head & Neck Cancer • Tonsillectomies Micah M. Likness, M.D. Board Certified Otolaryngologist • Hearing Difficulties • Ear Pain • Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment Jackie Logue CNP • Balloon Sinuplasty Beth J. Beeman • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation & Counseling • Balance Disorder Au. D, CCC-A Todd A. Farnham Au. D, CCC-A We’re H“ear” For You! EAR, NOSE & THROAT ASSOCIATES, P.C. 2525 Fox Run Parkway, Suite 101, Yankton 605-665-0062 • 1-866-665-0062 www.entyankton.com HISVOICEvJULY/AUGUST 2018v5