My journey recently took me to officiate at the memorial service for my good friend, Ezequiel "Zeke" Fernandez Palacios, in San Marcos. The only thing better than a friend is an old friend. Ours was a 15-year friendship. Palacios directed that the service be held at his new home, specifically in the back yard overlooking the Texas Hill Country. My experience with funerals over the years is that a service can reveal the absolute best, and worst, in a family’s relationships. This service was no problem because all the family members loved and respected each other. My favorite family member was his sister, Nohemi Shippley, from Denver, Colorado. The Bible speaks of families.
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for the immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I Timothy 5:8 (NIV)
Those are strong words. Palacios and I had a lot in common; we attended the Noonday Lions Club; both of us gave service to the nation — Infantry in Vietnam, brothers-in-arms, we knew and understood each others' hearts. “A Hero Remembered Never Dies” Palacios had come a long way from the "donkey school" days in Kenedy, Karnes County, Texas. Growing up, he pulled broom corn in Lockhart. Later Palacios earned a master’s degree from what is now Texas State University and acquired a state of Texas Teaching Certificate. He became successful in business management. All are saddened by his death. Critical to the heart of his widow, Irma, and all the Palacios family is the mention of Agent Orange. They want the world to know that they share the anguish and grief with many other families who have experienced the loss of a loved one because of the deadly toxin, Agent Orange. They supported Palacios through many difficult health issues, including two different battles with cancer, because of the effect of this toxin on his body. What a loss; yet sorrow is not forever, love is. According to our faith in Jesus Christ, Palacios is outside of time and sharing eternal life with God.
