Beautiful soul, best dad and papaw ever
Unconditional love was the theme of Tim’s life. He was a caring friend, father and “Papaw” generous with his love, his time and his resources to provide the best life for everyone he loved. Tim was loyal and trustworthy. His daughter Ashley said: “When he gave his word, it was done! You could call on him day or night and he was there.“
Tim was a genuine country guy; he loved camping and four wheeling and was good at sports. He was a huge racing and football fan and enjoyed golf. On Ashley’s 15th birthday, Tim got to fulfill a lifelong dream of riding a Harley and share the experience with Ashley. “I will never forget the feeling of being on that motorcycle with my dad, it was so peaceful and serene,” Ashley said.
Ashley described her dad as a kid friendly person. His grandkids loved to stay with their Papaw and he was happy to have them. He showed up for all their events, most recently his grandson’s football games. He wasn’t comfortable sitting in the bleachers so instead he stood by the fence line so he wouldn’t miss a thing. Tim’s biggest desire in life was to buy a plot of land big enough to house his kids and grandkids so they could all live near each other.
Tim worked as a brick mason for 35 years, which physically ruined his body, causing extreme back pain. He was prescribed opiates for the pain. Though he had been a substance user since age 13, Ashley said, “After taking the opiates, he was never the same.” He couldn’t work or do the things he loved and became depressed. Eventually he succumbed to a heroin overdose.
“All of the family and extended family have addiction problems, Ashley stated. Even in his passing, my dad helped me. He planted something in me that made me want to do better. I am the only one in the family to break the chain of addiction.” Today she is living in a sober living environment, working full time and getting her Associates Degree in Human Services. She plans to work with young adults and at-risk children to address substance use issues.
“Inside my dad there was a desire to be so much more than the addiction allowed him to be, Ashley said. “He was a loving father and grandfather and a beautiful person. He was my everything, and I miss him every day.”
Timothy’s daughter, Ashley Parham, provided the information for this narrative.
May 12, 1964–July 13, 2018
Age 54–Lived with addiction 41 years
