From Melodie, from the family book

Dearest Boatwright Family…

It seems impossible for me to write my feelings for Dan down on paper.  Having him as a part of my life has meant more to me than I can describe, and every time I think about him, or every time I would see that it was him calling my phone I would always get a huge smile on my face.  As you already know, he had the most contagious personality, as do all of you guys!  I loved spending time in your home, and would just laugh at how you all meshed so well with each other, and I would laugh pretty much the entire time I was there!  I cannot thank you all enough for all the wonderful memories I have in my heart of all the time spent with your amazing family during the good times at LHS. 

        Dan was one of my best friends.  We were able to spend so much time together throughout high school not only because we were in office together, but because through that association we were able to build a friendship that lasted.  We would talk on the phone for hours, and when we were in college I loved meeting him up at school, or going to each others houses to talk.  He loved to go to my parents house to sit in the hot tub, and my parents actually came home and found him there a couple of times without me!  They loved it, and loved him as a dear, dear friend.  I never knew of anyone that did not love Dan instantaneously.  He could make friends with a 4 year old just as easy as a 70 year old!  My family loved having him around, and admired his genuine love for people and his incredible ability to make everyone happy. 

        I always looked forward to Dan's phone calls where he would describe and tell the funniest stories about the people he worked with, and the experiences he was having with them.  I wanted to include the following email that he wrote to me while working at the Ritz Carlton in Cali.  It isn't anything spectacular, but to me it illustrates the fun Dan that we all loved, and his witty sense of humor.  Also, he is referring to Boris and one of the Asian ladies that he worked with that he found hilarious, and I love this email because their legacy lives on!  He would tell me stories of them, and I would tell my roommates, etc… and to this day people will "quote" things to me from stories that Dan would tell!  I think that "AAABEEEEBO BehMan" will never die, and I am sure he shared that story with you all as well!  Here is the email…

               AAABEEEEEBO BehMan!!  Melodie Starr, your the best by far, but kina car

            Is jor car?  Ahhhhh what a beautiful poem by me (if I do say so myself).

            I wanna see that beautiful picture of us.  Please?  I ASKED PLEASE!!!!

            Come on!  OK, OK....sorry...got a little heated there....I just get upset

            sometimes....you know what I mean?  Huh?   I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT I

            MEAN!?

            Wow.....there it is again.  Where is this sudden emotion coming from?

            Maybe its just my strong passion/desire for you.  There...I said

            it....passion slash desire, passion slash desire, thats what it is Starr.  But do  you

            have passion slash desire for yours truly?  I hope so.  Well, Im suppose to

            be studying but guess what.  IM NOT.  Overratted.  Well Mel, everything is

            A OK in my life.  School is cool.  Work is work.  Mamm B is cool.  I'll tell

            Her you say hello.  Well gotta go.  Sorry I got heated/mad at you just

            then.  I rarely get heated slash mad at people anymore.  I love you  and take it

            easy.  I hope  you move to Nevada because it might mean we will be

            closer.  Tell Stacey I am thinking of her too.  I love you.

            Always Yours,

            Daniel James Boatwright

 

I of course will miss all the good times with Dan, all the laughs and smiles, but I am so grateful to have so many great memories of him.  I also will miss the side of Dan that I didn't get to know as much until after high school.  Of course we would always laugh, but we were able to talk deeply about life and goals and religion.  We would talk about the new responsibilities and stresses of deciding what "we were going to be".  I am so grateful for the friend that he was to me, and how he was such an amazing listener.  He would help me with my struggles in relationships, and always assured me that if things didn't work out with whichever guy I was stressed out about that he would be there to "make it better" (direct quote!) 

        I love Dan, and everything that he represents.  I love you all so much and want you to know how thankful I am to know you, and to be a part of your lives.  I get a huge smile on my face thinking about all that your family did while in Logan, and the numerous lives that you touched.  Everyone loves the Boatwright's, and I admire the influence you all had to make people happy, and show others what it was like to live with joy.  Please know how much I love you, and how dear your friendships are to my heart. 

With Love Forever,

Melodie Gunnell Holbrook

From Melody

WOW. I need a lot of big deep breaths. My mind is going through images of
your house in azusa, your roommates, the pool table, your room, your
playlist, your posters, your basket of freshly-laundered towels (I still
don't get it!!!), your curly hair, your littly tooshy, your smile and your
laughter. I don't want to sound cliche, AT ALL, but really, I have such
vivid memories of your laughter and smile, maybe because that's what I saw
the most of!

Some of my favorite memories of you, which I hope are some of your favorites
of us:

Driving up to Julian for some apple pie, but finding the "Cats Cats CATS!"
store instead. I still have that picture...MEOW!
Playing pool...again and again, until i won! (well, until you let me
believe I won fair and square)
Laying on your big bed just listening to so many new songs....
Inviting you over to our mod, only to dress up with becky in the ugliest
clothes we could find and give you a care package to get you better again!
you were so unamused...
Watching Spinal Tap until it was unhealthy for any normal person. maybe
eleven times...
Going to the Huntington Library and playing cards in the grass. "FER DA
DUCKS!"


The memories go on, as I am sure they do for many of you who knew dan. but
to dan: i will forever guard closely the time I shared with you. I count it
such a privilege that you let me in to your world as you did. You were
honest with me. You let me see you as you were. You laughed with me. You
loved me. You valued me. You listened to me. You cared for me. And I
cried with you. I struggled through tough questions with you. I laughed
till my face hurt with you. I made up jokes with you. I ached with you.
I lived more fully with you in my life.

Thank you Daniel James Boatwright. Thank you for showing me how to laugh,
how to love, how to live. Thank you for sharing your life with mine. I
will never let our memories die.

One Step at a time

 

It took me so long to write, because I�m still at a loss for words. Dan and I only knew each other from high school. We rarely hung out but we shared the same friends, which wasn't hard to do, because he was friends with every one. My memories of him are all cheerful. He was one of the few guys around that never did anything that made me question his character. He treated all people with respect. It keeps running through my mind why he had to pass early from this life. His heart was so big and so full of love, I'm sorry for your loss. I also know that wherever god takes away, he replaces somewhere else in other ways. I pray that the tender mercies of the lord may be apparent to you in your life and that you may be able to find some peace through this great trial you have been given. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." {see Ecclesiastes 9:11; Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13}

To become a winner in the race for eternal life requires effort, constant work, striving, and enduring well with god�s help. But the key is that we must take it just one step at a time. I know that you have the most amazing people who love you all so very much. You will not have to suffer in silence. We are ALL here for you. I�m so sorry again for your loss. "Our hearts are heavy and sad, but our souls are of good cheer." You have been blessed with this great trial, I say "blessed" because as much as we have all lost by Dan passing, we have so much to learn, and such a great example to grow from. He will never be forgotten.

"All of us, in our own small way, have experienced the transforming power of a great emotional shock. It searches the soul, it opens up the mind to its foundations, it rearranges all the courses of nature and sets things going in an entirely different direction. It is hard, but it is wholesome. It shakes out the dross from the mind, and makes men bigger and better." -Author unknown

I�m a big fan of the Boatwright fam! Chris I remember you from Woodruff. Becky, I miss you! Call me anytime! Kate and Sarah, I barely know you but I think you are both fabulous! All my love and prayers to you all! Love always Tina Marie Bartlett Mitchell   Las Vegas Nevada  Tinamarie1999@hotmail.com

Speaking of Dan and his favorite supermodel, I was channel surfing two days ago and saw a picture of her, which immediately made me think of Dan. This probably isn't surprising to most people, but it was surprising for me because I haven't talked to Dan since I moved away from Logan 9 years ago. We lost touch but suddenly he was at the forefront of my mind.
It shocked my body and jarred my memory to hear about him leaving this world for a better place. I remember playing basketball with him after school, mountain biking, freshman football (remember that guys?), participating in our Church youth group activites and of course his funny appearances in most school activities (including just walking down the hallways).
But, the biggest thing I remember was the energy that he seemed to radiate. Most everyone had to feel it. He gave you that extra bit of energy, confidence or maybe even courage to extend yourself a little bit further from what you were used to and be happy with it. I felt like I wasn't shy around anyone when I was with him. It seemed I could talk to or interact with anyone and not feel self conscious or out of place. Not many people can do that, that truly is a gift. This is what I'll remember most but more importantly carry with me throughout life.

Justin Joerger
Overland Park, KS

Big D

We just heard of Dan’s passing and wanted to write a brief message.  The one thing that stand’s out most as we talk about Dan was that he was such a genuinely nice guy.  He was good friends with everyone in every different group and always made everyone feel welcome.  He was always so much fun and could always make everyone laugh.  We are just happy that he was able to see Tyra get her own show.  We love Dan and he will be missed.

 

Jeff and Kathleen Reece

 

Dallas, TX