This is the headstone at Tom's grave site. Steven was in the area and dropped by, he also took the photo.

Some documents I got from Mom. One is a letter from long time friends of the family Curt and Joan Sleight, another from Southwestern Medical about donations we made, and the last I thought was a hoot - apparently Dad applied to be on the city council in Rockwall.

In Memory of Tom Rooney

Thomas Joseph Rooney

April 5^th, 1948 – July 27^th, 2006

On June 30^th, 2006 at approximately 10:30 in the morning, Tom was taken to Mesquite Community Hospital where he suffered from a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) of the Anterior Communicating Artery. It is also refered to as a brain aneurysm or stroke. He was flown by Careflight to Baylor Dallas where he spent the next month in the ICU. It was finally decided by the family that Tom would want to go home to God. After speaking with several doctors about his condition the family decided to withdraw care and “Let go, and Let God.” On July 26^th at 10:45am life support was removed. Tom passed away on July 27^th, at 7:40am.

He is survived by his wife Cathy and their four children. Teresa Hayes and her spouse Eddie, two children; Michael and Dylan. John Rooney and his spouse Brandi, two children; Katelyn and Makayla. Stephen Rooney and his spouse Crystal, two children Chasity and Cas. His youngest daughter Sarah Rooney, senior at Texas A&M Commerce. And last but not least Lucy and Radar, his beloved Golden Retrievers.

Memories of my father

My best memories of my father are seeing all of the Star Wars movies with him for the first time at the movie theater. We saw the first three at the old Northpark Cinema. Star Wars was the first movie my father ever took me to. He use to tell me the story of the night we saw Star Wars. He would tell me that before the movie even started I looked up at him and said, “This sure is a great movie dad.”


Anyone wishing to add a memory or comment, please feel free to do so.

John Rooney

Jesus Christ is not just the reason that my family is in Texas. He is the reason that I live. Life was not always so certain. I still bear the scars of the wild and sinful life before Christ. I was 25 years old when I found myself reading the bible for the first time. It was 1972. My life was a mess: a wife, a kid, a job and finally out of the marines. Why was I so miserable? Nothing that I tried gave me a moment of peace and meaning. I remember it like yesterday – the moment I realized that what I had been told all my life was true! He did die on the cross for me! I didn’t have a hard time believing that because I knew I was sick. I later came to realize that was what the Bible calls sin. No need to convince me. I know that there are some who think they are good people but that is only in their eyes. The bible tells us that we are all sinners and that no one will be justified or declared good in His eyes. Still there are people who think they can merit God’s favor by doing good works. They think they can keep the Ten Commandments and go to heaven. But the bible tells us that by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight. So when I finally realized that I better read the bible and see for myself, I came to a startling realization! I remember the very night that I believed that Jesus died on the cross for me. Oh, I knew He died on the cross. I just never believed that He did it for my sins. That perspective is called trust. I have put my trust in Jesus of Nazareth for eternal life. So when I decide to forgo the goods of the world or this life or the flesh, how do I know it’s the right thing and not just missing out? How do I know that someone who trusts in their own god or their good works don’t all end up at the same place? - Simple but profound answer – the resurrection! No one has ever come back from death. The Romans certainly killed him. Let’s not practice stupid. The Jews – Peter, James, John and the rest were not looking for a suffering dying messiah. They were looking for a King. They were too full of their own egotistical sin (like us) to make that up. Who would ever substitute personal, submissive, sacrifice for eternal glory in place of immediate gratification? Only Jesus of Nazareth. There is only one answer for the historical account: Jesus rose from the dead. That is what gave the first century Christians the direction they needed. One will die for a worthy cause but one will not die for a lie. They knew He lives and they chose to live for Him. Jesus Christ changed their lives and He changed mine. My life is blessed: I have a great wife and family, I have a great job and I’m back in the service to Him. Jesus in the Life. He is absolute Truth. He is the only way to the Father that we know as our God and Creator.

wakeboarding is more difficult than I thought. At least Sarah can get up. I sure have drunk a lot of lake water! I am determined to be an old fart on a wakeboard-my last fling at youth.

Grandkids - in order I think? Just don't ask the ages.

Mike of Teresa with Sarah.













Dylan of Teresa
skateboarder
follower of Christ!










Chasity of Stephen
this one will be a heartbreaker
she is a looker












Cas of Stephen
our little actor













Katelyn of John
She promises to be a real handful!












Mikayla of John
just that cute!

Sarah will graduate in December with a degree in business. She has a great work history and she is pretty good on the wakeboard. Hopefully pictures to follow.
Sarah n Cas.

Lakeday in Dallas - since we live within a mile of the lake I decided to buy a boat. Yea, it was just that selfish but the grandkids enjoy it whenever they get a chance to come over. My first boat is a 16' Searay. I hope to get up on the wakeboard sooner or later. Grandpa on a wakeboard is my lat chance to regain some semblence of youth. (no kidding on this one)

Pell check - that's the tool that keeps you from looking tupid!













Another picture of Radar should fix the problem.

Lucy N Radar
Once you experience empty nest syndrome you find yourself calling the dogs - the kids!
I can't begin to explain the aura of owning Goldens but it is right under my grandchildren. I have never loved a dog like mutsey (my boyhood dog for 9 years) until I got Lucy then Radar. Lucy was to be Cathy's dog until Lucy selected me for her person. She is four years old. Her registered name is Audit's Little Lucy. Her mother was Audit. Lucy has a good pedigree and we had her hips registered since that is a common golden problem. We finally had her first litter last April at our new house and had 8 glorious pups. Cathy reluctantly but graciously let me keep the pup we named big brown boy. He became Radar! Registered name Titan's Golden Radar Love. I am the luckiest goy on the plane to be loved by two goldens! It is a gloroius breed if you can put up with the massive hair shedding and extreme, loving loyalty. Owners are a strange lot also. Well - here are the kids:
















Radar hunts
Cas n Lucy















Dylan n Lucy