Memorial expenses for Rick Petrie

This fundraiser is to support my mom in covering funeral expenses for Rick Petrie, my uncle, who taught me a lifetime of how to love when it’s tough to. He sadly passed away on July 3rd, and we have struggled to be able to provide a proper burial for him. For Veteran’s Day, we’d like to honor him.

Rick Petrie proudly served three years in the U.S Army. He trained in the Philippines, was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii doing target acquisition, and received an honorable discharge. For decades, he was a tradesman in the window washing business and strongly valued a job well done.

If anyone has followed the story this year, I entered a podcast giveaway from The Connected Life hosted by Justin & Abi Stumvoll to gift $1000 to someone in need. I was chosen because I wrote about Rick - even though he hadn’t done any note-worthy good deeds, he deserved love regardless. He had a pretty tough life, partially due to his choices, and partially due to growing up in abusive and neglectful homes. Ultimately, his actions rarely matched his values, and it was sad to see the pain he experienced leading to a lot more pain and disconnection.

And with the help of the podcast gift and time and energy from my sister, mom, and cousins, we were able to give him the gift of love and connection – something invaluable that could never be repaid. But I want the story to continue to have the message that even when one life seems insignificant, community can wrap around and take care of someone – to say that they matter.

I’m humbled by what God has done to reunite family, to let someone know how loved he was, and to show that stories are redeemable. Any donation would be so appreciated, along with any prayers.

Let’s bring him home.