A letter from Donna Nelson to Lisa, Andrew, Scott and Eric, 20 September 1999:

I am a cousin to your Daddy, and I have some memories and thoughts to share with you.

Do you have a babysitter?  I was your Daddy's babysitter.  I also babysat Uncle David.  One time we took a trip to the San Juan Islands.  Grandma and Grandpa Perry had an errand to run, so they left me with Uncle David and your Daddy.  We had a good time.  I remember playing in the water and making boats out of newspaper.  Your Daddy really liked boats and playing in the water.

Another memory I have of your Daddy is that both he and your Uncle David liked books.  There were lots of books in their home.  Their mom and dad, your Grandma and Grandpa Perry, also liked to read books.

I am sending you a book called "Grandfather's Laika."  It's from a far-away country called Sweden [where some of our ancestors came from].  There is a special line in that book that I want you to remember:  "Something important will be left behind."   I know that your Daddy has died and is with Jesus.  And I know that you miss him very much.  Please remember that your Daddy has left something very important, something that can never be taken away.  Your Daddy has left you with some of the sadness you feel, and some of the anger you feel.  But most important of all, your Daddy has left you the LOVE that you feel.

Please know, Lisa, Andrew, Scott and Eric, that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I love you and hold you close to me.