Mr. Valis

Early this morning, Troy received a call

while at the deer lease with the sad news

that his good friend, Louis Valis, had

suddenly died from a heart attack

while at his own deer lease with his son.

We are truly heartbroken over the loss of

Louis. He was such a wonderful Christian,

husband, father and friend.

He was Troy's former boss, he built our home,

he was currently building our new addition,

and he was just an all around great friend.

I've always loved to hear my kids talk

about "Mr. Valis". He was so generous

and let us swim in his pool every single summer.

Walker loved when Mr. Valis would stop by

and I'm so glad he did this last Wednesday.

His wife and three teenage children are just

as wonderful as him. This is so sad.

Today I was talking to his oldest daughter

and I told her how proud Louis was of

the three of them. Her response was,

"We were so proud of him."

My heart hurts deeply for this family.

Life is too precious.

We were always guaranteed one year a night

with Louis and Carla. We always looked forward

to Cattle Barron's Ball with them

and we lived it up!!!

It was Louis who got Troy started volunteering

with the Cancer Society and this event.

Louis was such a good man.

This was 2006...

Sweet Carla...we are going to hold her so very close in our prayers. I just can't even imagine.Louis and Carla have always been sort of role models for Troy and me. They are just that family that you admire for all the right reasons.

This was 2007...we always had the best time!

Troy has always had a great respect and love for Louis. He has been an incredible friend to Troy. Louis would do anything in the world for you.

In 2008...

Such a sweet couple...

2009...

Carla and I have always joked that Louis was "God's Gift" because everyone was always bragging on him and he was always doing so much for everyone. Then we started joking that Troy was following in his footsteps, so we now had "God's Gift Jr". Louis was a great person for my man to be following after. I know that.

Unfortunately for his sweet family and the rest of us, God wanted his gift back.

"LV",

you are loved by many and you will be

so, so missed!!!