Ricky Lovelady: Tissue Donor, Hero

 

Ricky Lovelady was a veteran, family man, and quintessential hero. His gift of tissue gave life and healing. His daughter, Becky, shares his legacy:

         My father was a Marine during Vietnam, a police officer, and Texas Ranger during his career. He was a bull-rider in his younger days. He was the epitome of a tough guy. He loved a clean house and freshly cut yard. Every Saturday he washed the car whether it needed it or not. He loved his family, especially his grand daughter. He loved to tell stories from his heyday, about playing football, or when he was a police officer. When an apartment complex was on fire, he was the one running door to door trying to evacuate people. We had heard all his stories, but he told them anyway.

I needed to know he lived on in a way I may never been able to see, but a way that would continue to impact lives.
— Becky McDermott, Donor Daughter

         During a visit with my dad, he brought up a life insurance policy and that prompted a discussion about what he wanted after he passed. He didn’t mention organ donation, so I brought it up. I knew I had always wanted to donate, so I asked him. He didn’t think anyone would be able to use his organs because he knew his heart wasn’t doing well, but he did say, “If anyone can use what I have, I want them to have it. I am certainly not going to need it.”

         I don’t know if he thought much about it until I brought it up, but I have always wanted to be a donor because I thought it was such a waste to let something go that could save someone’s life or improve the quality of life for someone else. His career choices were about helping people, and I know he would want to continue to do that in any way he could.

        One of his recipients received a tissue donation that provided him relief from his back pain. I have witnessed family members with debilitating back pain and seen the effects it has on close family members as well as the family member. It stops your life. You are unable to work, to participate in activities, you lose connection with people. By providing the recipient with relief, he was able to resume his life.

        “One Yes” means changing a person’s life in a way you can never imagine. Maybe even changing the trajectory of their life and the people around them. It’s the ripple effect seen in water. One YES was the closure I needed. I needed to know he lived on in a way I may never been able to see, but a way that would continue to impact lives.