He was born in May of 1948, the 2nd of 4 children to Howard and Lilly. I do not know much about his early childhood years because I was born eight years after he was. By the time I was eight years old he was already sixteen.
1956 and a random family photo of Roy, Dad, me and my shy sister with her back to the camera.
Older brothers in middle school and then high school had marginal interaction with little brothers only in the 3rd grade. Unless of course it was at home in the evening around dinner time and just hanging out watching TV. However I do remember the times he tried to teach me how to skateboard at the playground of the local elementary school and when he allowed me to tag along to the local slot car track to watch him race his prize electric race car. Roy loved dragsters. In case you do not know that term, a dragster is a chopped and suped up race car. Usually a stock vehicle that has been modified for looks and racing. Of course drag racing on the professional side involved cars known as rail jobs which, were essentially elongated chassis frames made of steel pipe and giant engines and racing tires that could cover a quarter mile track in very little time. I came to know all about these as we lived near Lions Dragstrip which , was like a 2nd home to my older brother. The last time I laid eyes on what was Lions Dragstrip, it had been turned into a trucking terminal.
Here is my big brother Roy that I remember from my childhood. He is 17 years old here and on the verge of graduating high school, working as a craftsman in aerospace for a year and then joining the U.S. Airforce to serve his country in Vietnam.
Only fair to say, that I have three older siblings. Roy is in the middle here and my sister Linda on the left and my oldest brother Howard on the right.
This of which I am writing, is not only about that I had a big brother who I was close to near the end of his life after years of not being close at all but, its about that connection of family and spirit. Something we do not associate when speaking of the Supernatural i.e. the paranormal. However, you will find in many stories of the paranormal it is all about family and love. Yes, tragedy and death too however, the tragedy is that my brother died from cancer but in all other respects his was a natural passing into the next world. He was at home with his children and grandchildren and myself and friends.
A day Roy and I spent together in Malibu, near the Malibu lagoon and Surf Rider Beach
I was more then glad that big brother and I had time to get to know each other again before his passing in September of 2016. Our talks were not extensive but I came to learn a great deal about the man I had failed to know most of our adult lives for reasons which thankfully did not get in the way in the end. In the end it was about love.
The Paranormal:
In December of 2012 I was invited to be part of an group of investigators for an evening at the Harvey House in Barstow California. You may recall the “Harvey Girls” starring Judy Garland about ladies who worked in a chain of hotels across the country famous for their hospitality to weary travelers. This particular Harvey House is also a wonderful train museum and I heartily recommend spending an afternoon there if you love trains.
On this early December afternoon I had just arrived in Barstow and secured my hotel room for the night and was now ready to do some pre-investigation exploring. The lady at the front desk was very accommodating and allowed me to roam the Harvey House as long as I was quiet, as there are business offices there and people are working.
I was told by my fellow investigators that the basement area had been a place where they had experienced activity of the paranormal kind during past visits. Wondering the basement I made a few notes and took some pictures with my cell phone camera. One such picture was a selfie that I sent as a message to one of the investigators who lived nearby and was to be there with us that night. After I sent the selfie I received the response and it said “there is somebody there with you.” Well, there was nobody with me as I was physically alone in the basement when I took that picture. In viewing the picture I could see something that looked like a face near my ear but, would have to wait until I was home and could download it to my computer and really review it closely.
Just a little over eight (8) years prior in 2004 my father passed away from what I am now told was a heart attack at the age of 81. He died in his own bed and his own house and I think it was fairly quick. Dad was always in good physical shape so to hear he passed from a heart attack was somewhat surprising to me.
Checking In:
We are told that the presence of family who have passed when, they appear in our dreams means they are visiting us and giving us messages. They are on the other side now and have returned to say hello and I am alright and not to worry or to give us an important message. Since my fathers death in 2004 there had been no sign from him. No dream visit. This is why the appearance of his face in my selfie was very startling. In examining the photo, the image is a little blurry but it is clear to me who it is and I was able to find a picture of him that was comparable for comparison to see just how much this image resembled my father.
The Paranormal:
In December of 2012 I was invited to be part of an group of investigators for an evening at the Harvey House in Barstow California. You may recall the “Harvey Girls” starring Judy Garland about ladies who worked in a chain of hotels across the country famous for their hospitality to weary travelers. This particular Harvey House is also a wonderful train museum and I heartily recommend spending an afternoon there if you love trains.
On this early December afternoon I had just arrived in Barstow and secured my hotel room for the night and was now ready to do some pre-investigation exploring. The lady at the front desk was very accommodating and allowed me to roam the Harvey House as long as I was quiet, as there are business offices there and people are working.
I was told by my fellow investigators that the basement area had been a place where they had experienced activity of the paranormal kind during past visits. Wondering the basement I made a few notes and took some pictures with my cell phone camera. One such picture was a selfie that I sent as a message to one of the investigators who lived nearby and was to be there with us that night. After I sent the selfie I received the response and it said “there is somebody there with you.” Well, there was nobody with me as I was physically alone in the basement when I took that picture. In viewing the picture I could see something that looked like a face near my ear but, would have to wait until I was home and could download it to my computer and really review it closely.
Just a little over eight (8) years prior in 2004 my father passed away from what I am now told was a heart attack at the age of 81. He died in his own bed and his own house and I think it was fairly quick. Dad was always in good physical shape so to hear he passed from a heart attack was somewhat surprising to me.
Checking In:
We are told that the presence of family who have passed when, they appear in our dreams means they are visiting us and giving us messages. They are on the other side now and have returned to say hello and I am alright and not to worry or to give us an important message. Since my fathers death in 2004 there had been no sign from him. No dream visit. This is why the appearance of his face in my selfie was very startling. In examining the photo, the image is a little blurry but it is clear to me who it is and I was able to find a picture of him that was comparable for comparison to see just how much this image resembled my father.
Here is the selfie from the basement of the Harvey House and circled next to me is the face my fellow investigator saw and messaged me back that somebody was there with me.
On the left is my dad as he looked in his mid-thirties and on the right is the image from the selfie. While it is blurry I think you will agree that many prominent features line up with the photo of my father. Shape of the face, hairline, ears and even the nose and eyes.
Dutch, (my father’s nickname) went on to make his presence known to me in future paranormal investigations as we would get the name Dutch and would hear references to Dutch being there in many and varied locations across Southern California. He also began to appear to me in dreams occasionally since this photo.
Dutch, (my father’s nickname) went on to make his presence known to me in future paranormal investigations as we would get the name Dutch and would hear references to Dutch being there in many and varied locations across Southern California. He also began to appear to me in dreams occasionally since this photo.
The Visit:
Mid-September 2016 was a tough time for all of us in regards to my brother Roy. He had been diagnosed as terminal for over a year but had physically been strong and able to live his life in a normal fashion for the most part. It was the last week or so of his life that his body began to fail quickly and progressively.
The funeral was a wonderful revelation of Roy’s life and I sat there and listened to all the people who’s lives Roy had touched and was truly amazed at what I heard. My brother was a healer. He was like the wise old shaman of his tribe if you will and, his advice and counsel was sought after by all those who knew him. Roy was a counselor for those trying to get clean and sober as well and, he served for many years in that capacity. On his own time, I might add. Roy had a gift.
March 12, 2017 and I am aboard the RMS Queen Mary. I have a new tool that I am incorporating into my paranormal investigations. A FLIR TG165 Surface Thermometer that is also able to take snapshots and can be downloaded to my PC. On this day I was walking the ship and taking random snapshots with the FLIR and for each one I took I’d match it with a picture from a digital camera. Reason being is to show how the location looked and to help debunk or dispel any images which may or may not be possibly paranormal.
After a couple of hours of roaming the ship I took a break. Buying a Dr. Pepper and bag of M&M’s peanuts in the souvenir shop on A-Deck, and then made my way to the piano bar on the starboard side and took a seat near one of the big windows looking out at Long Beach.
While I was resting I took a few snapshots with the FLIR and then the digital camera for comparison.
Mid-September 2016 was a tough time for all of us in regards to my brother Roy. He had been diagnosed as terminal for over a year but had physically been strong and able to live his life in a normal fashion for the most part. It was the last week or so of his life that his body began to fail quickly and progressively.
The funeral was a wonderful revelation of Roy’s life and I sat there and listened to all the people who’s lives Roy had touched and was truly amazed at what I heard. My brother was a healer. He was like the wise old shaman of his tribe if you will and, his advice and counsel was sought after by all those who knew him. Roy was a counselor for those trying to get clean and sober as well and, he served for many years in that capacity. On his own time, I might add. Roy had a gift.
March 12, 2017 and I am aboard the RMS Queen Mary. I have a new tool that I am incorporating into my paranormal investigations. A FLIR TG165 Surface Thermometer that is also able to take snapshots and can be downloaded to my PC. On this day I was walking the ship and taking random snapshots with the FLIR and for each one I took I’d match it with a picture from a digital camera. Reason being is to show how the location looked and to help debunk or dispel any images which may or may not be possibly paranormal.
After a couple of hours of roaming the ship I took a break. Buying a Dr. Pepper and bag of M&M’s peanuts in the souvenir shop on A-Deck, and then made my way to the piano bar on the starboard side and took a seat near one of the big windows looking out at Long Beach.
While I was resting I took a few snapshots with the FLIR and then the digital camera for comparison.
Here is the original Gray Mode FLIR image which has been lightened a little.
To the left you can clearly see the facial profile. Brow, nose, lips, chin. You can make out the pupil of the eye which appears to be reflecting the sunlight coming from the window. It can be distinguished that he is clearly wearing a beret and the camouflage pattern can be seen on his collar and shoulder. Even the winged icon on the beret is distinguishable.
To the left you can clearly see the facial profile. Brow, nose, lips, chin. You can make out the pupil of the eye which appears to be reflecting the sunlight coming from the window. It can be distinguished that he is clearly wearing a beret and the camouflage pattern can be seen on his collar and shoulder. Even the winged icon on the beret is distinguishable.
This is my brother’s U.S. Airforce picture and you can compare the FLIR image above and this one and see both men are dressed in the same uniform. Only difference being the beret on the image above. That difference may be because in this photo he is wearing a dress beret and the image above may well be the nylon mesh beret they wore in the more humid climate of Southeast Asia.
Here is the digital shot which I took of the same location after the FLIR image was taken and it shows there is absolutely nothing in this area which would effect the image we see in the FLIR image
A side by side comparison of my brother’s Airforce picture and the FLIR picture. This is clearly my brother in both images.
They say that spirits can choose how they wish to manifest and appear to us. Here my brother has chosen to appear as he was when serving in Vietnam. In his twenties and in the prime of life. A fit young man. A soldier in the United States Airforce. Circa late 1960s to early 1970s.
They say that spirits can choose how they wish to manifest and appear to us. Here my brother has chosen to appear as he was when serving in Vietnam. In his twenties and in the prime of life. A fit young man. A soldier in the United States Airforce. Circa late 1960s to early 1970s.
Here I have circled the winged icons which appear on the beret in both pictures.
So, why now, after nearly five months? I do not know. He may have been around and did things to make himself known to me and others but perhaps we were just not paying attention and picking up on the signs being given. My brother was aware of the fact I am a paranormal investigator and if anyone would understand and/or recognize that perhaps a message was being given by him it would be me as opposed to other family members.
And that is all conjecture and a guess as to the why’s and wherefores.
Facts:
1. I know my brother’s face when I see it.
2. I recognized the uniform and was aware to look for the photo you see from his Airforce days for comparison.
I am always open to the opinions of other investigators and I do not insist that you agree with my conclusions. I ask that you consider them and think about the possibility of what I say here and what I have presented.
One other thing that has been made apparent to me is not all spirits are bound to locations.
Roy passed away at home and he did not frequent the RMS Queen Mary in his later years. He did bank there years ago when there was a bank branch on the Queen Mary and he was living downtown and he told me that he did use to roam the ship and visit the boiler room and other parts of the ship which are normally not accessible to the public. So, in his younger years he did have a fascination with the ship. So, maybe that is part of his connection to it. However on this day, I believe I was his connection and he was there to give me a message to give to his daughter. That message being, that he is alright and he is himself and he’s able to visit and he’s aware of how we are doing. A positive message for any who will listen.
And that is all conjecture and a guess as to the why’s and wherefores.
Facts:
1. I know my brother’s face when I see it.
2. I recognized the uniform and was aware to look for the photo you see from his Airforce days for comparison.
I am always open to the opinions of other investigators and I do not insist that you agree with my conclusions. I ask that you consider them and think about the possibility of what I say here and what I have presented.
One other thing that has been made apparent to me is not all spirits are bound to locations.
Roy passed away at home and he did not frequent the RMS Queen Mary in his later years. He did bank there years ago when there was a bank branch on the Queen Mary and he was living downtown and he told me that he did use to roam the ship and visit the boiler room and other parts of the ship which are normally not accessible to the public. So, in his younger years he did have a fascination with the ship. So, maybe that is part of his connection to it. However on this day, I believe I was his connection and he was there to give me a message to give to his daughter. That message being, that he is alright and he is himself and he’s able to visit and he’s aware of how we are doing. A positive message for any who will listen.
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