Eulogy and Letter From Paul Jr.

Bob Cunningham was Scott's church leader, coach, school teacher, and friend. This is the eulogy he gave at Scott's funeral:

In behalf of Scott and the entire Fackrell and Haws family, I would like to thank you all for being here today to share in this memorial service for one of the finest young met I have ever known. I know that the veil between the mortal world and the spirit world is indeed thin, and Scott is in attendance with us at this time. So I say to you Scottie, hello my friend. I hope you can see how much we all love you and miss you. We also know that if we live worthy of the blessing, we will someday all be where you are now. Scottie, your father and mother have asked me to present your life to all of these people. I'll do my best for you Scottie, and I must admit, it will be fun for me to finally get the last word. I would want Paul and Trula to know that your son was loved. I would want you to know that your son was a tremendous influence for good in all of our lives. I would want the family to know that the only time I have felt more honored was when I was representing the Lord as a missionary in Korea. During the week, as I struggled to organize my feelings and thoughts, I heard a voice inside my head. It was Scott. He said, "Come on Cut, all you have to do is stand there and say a bunch of good stuff about me..how hard could that be?" So my job became simple, because finding a bunch of good stuff to say about you Scottie is indeed easy. Scott Earnest Fackrell was born on June 9, 1984 in Weaverville, California. I can just imagine the pride that Paul and Trula felt as they brought this wonderful little boy home. There must have been no mistake in the nursery as to who this child belonged to. Scott had the signature of the Fackrell family, those wonderful Fackrell ears. Being the 4th child born into a family as fun-loving and competitive as the Fackrells, it is no wonder he grew up to be the great competitor that he was. Im sure that the torture and practical jokes of Aimee, Paul, Chris soon began and it continued for as long as Scottie was with them. You were all so important to Scott. Your fine examples gave Scott something to live up to, and I know how proud you are of him. Chris told me yesterday that Scott had lately changed in his eyes from a boy to a man. Chris would know. This summer at the lake, Scott was on the edge of the house boat, daring any lady on the boat that thought he was man enough to come take their best shot. Shane went down, Todd went down, and I could see Chris' competitive eyes starting to glow. A half-eaten hot dog was placed firmly on the table as Chris leapt into battle. The clash of the titans began. Jake, Karl, Jeremy, Todd, and Shane watched with great interest as Chris flew head over heels into the water. Then came the Mr. Olympian show as Scott strutted and flexed for at least 20 minutes as the self-proclaimed king of the boat. Chris, drenched and shocked over the defeat, quietly sat down and finished eating that dog. From what I gather from the family, Scott was a wonderful little fellow. One thing is for sure, his pokey little ears and his shining little smile must have warmed the hearts of everyone. Scott brought joy into the home and made the family so much more complete. I have seen many pictures of the family, and everyone portrays the love they felt for each other and for Scott, their son and little brother. Scott was also very dear to Emma, for he was her childhood playmate. Grandpa Ron said that Scott was a wonderful little boy who never needed a spanking. All it took was a simple look or a slightly raised voice and Scott was right back on track. That says volumes about the wonderful spirit Scott was born with. It also is very ironic to those who know Scott today. How can a guy who has never been spanked himself grow up to become someone who threatens at least 25 people a day with a severe beating? I asked my classes at school if Scott Fackrell had ever threatened them with a severe beating. Over half the students in every class raised their hands...And they were all smiles. From what the family has said, Scott was always wondering off in his own world. No other child in the family got left behind more times than Scott. Once, as the family left Shasta Lake City, someone asked if anyone had seen Scott. The answer being no, the van was turned around and they headed back to find him. Well, as it turns out, Scott was in the bathroom when he should have been in the van. I once saw him crying on the lawn of the Stake Center in Redding, "Where is your family?", I asked. I think they're at Home Town Buffet, they leave me all the time", he said. One phone call was all it took to reunite the family. I know Scott considered his immediate and extended family as the greatest source of joy in his life. What a lucky and fortunate boy he was to be blessed with such wonderful parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and two sets of the finest grandparents that anyone could ever ask for. All of you cradled him, loved him, taught him lessons and gave him a wonderful childhood. No boy on the face of this earth has been loved and cared for more by their family than Scott. If it were possible, I know Scottie would be hugging and kissing you all this very minute. Im certain it is a source of frustration for him as we speak, now that he is in spirit and not in body. I attest to his love for you all. Nothing gave him more pride than to belong to you and to carry the Fackrell name. Which of you can doubt that at this very moment, he is in the embrace of Grandpa Harold and other members of the family that have gone on before? As Scott grew, his activities in the elementary school included every sport possible, drama performances, and Little League. Scotts involvement in Rec League and elementary school basketball caught the attention of everyone, including the high school coaches. His athletic skills were amazing, even at a young age. And if you ever missed one of his athletic performances, it was easy to get a play by play account..all you had to do was ask Scott. PJ once told me that Scott would be way better than him someday, and I hate to say it PJ, but you were right. Scott could simply mesmerize you with his cat-like moves as he drove to the hoop. He was the fiercest competitor on the court that his coaches could have ever asked for. Who wouldn't want Scottie on your side? I remember standing by Mr. Aglipay as we watched Scott in one of his games when he was in his stunning groove. 3 pt shot after 3 pt shot, driving the baseline, driving through the key..it was all Scott. We looked at each other in amazement, as many of you have, and asked, "How does he do that?" Each year we play in a church tournament with all of the boys from Redding, Anderson, and the north valley area. Scott owned that tournament last year. He was unstoppable. People asked me if I had taught him how to shoot, "Of course", I replied. One thing I noticed about his play is that he would not glory in his success during the competition. And we can all agree that no one could lay it on thicker that Scott. No one on the court had a stronger desire to win. To lose a game was unthinkable to Scott. To lose at anything was unthinkable to Scott. Everything to Scott was a game, and every game was open to betting. You could not blow a bubble around Scott without it turning into an Olympic competition. He would lay down a bet over anything under the sun. He would settle any difference or argument with a proposed bet. "Do you wanna bet" was repeated as often as "You are such an idiot" or the ever popular "youre gonna get a severe beating" threat. I asked his classmates at school to raise their hands if Scott owed them at least 25 cents from past bets..the hand shot up by the dozens. Chris, I told them you would be good for the debts your brother racked up, so be prepared. And the list of accolades goes on..Three time champion on the 3 on 3 tournament in Redding, most valuable player in football and in basketball, both MVP decisions clearly deserved by all who watched this amazing athlete. Trophy after trophy, ribbon after ribbon, proud smiles from mother and father in the stands..he did all this because he wanted to make his family proud and bring honor upon his father's name. He did all this to live up to the excellent performances of his older sister and brothers. He did all this because he wanted to be the one we could all count on. He did all this because of his tremendous desire for success. He also did all this for the ladies, the hundreds and hundreds of ladies that were surely out there in the stands, just dying to catch a moment of his attention, or even a passing glance would do... "The ladies certainly love me", he would often say...or "I think the ladies loved my performance." Scott was a leader and he wanted it that way. He worked hard to be the one that people would turn to for inspiration. The desire to lead others to battle and his never give up attitude is reflected in a recent essay he wrote for English class. I will attempt to read it to you...it is, after all, Scott's own handwriting... "As I lead my team into the lacker room after a very dissapointing first half, I was very angry with the effort the exerted. 'You guys sure did make idiots out of yourselves out there. I am disgraced to even be associated with this ball team. We practice hard all week contimplating on how we are going to excel in the game on friday. It is like we have never experienced the game of football prior to this game. Don't you boys think we are out of this game, cause we are not. If we work hard and do our best, and playlike we practice we will become victorious.' As I looked at the faces of my boys they looked very beet up and I was very proud of how they wouldn't give up. They went back on the field and did the best to their ability they could." But for all of his athletic skills and accomplishments, that is not the thing that I am most proud of as his Young Mens' Leader in the church, a position I share with Tim Dobbs. Scott was very quiet about his inner most spiritual feelings and convictions. But all of his friends here today will attest that he lived true to his moral convictions with the same tenacity that he showed on the athletic field. Scott was raised to believe that his body was a precious gift from God, the mortal temple of his eternal spirit. He was taught that it is a serious matter in the eyes of his Heavenly Father to defile his body with immoral acts and damaging and addictive substances. Scott was true and faithful to his convictions. He died with his integrity intact. I say to you his friends and his family, that this is the greatest honor that Scott could have given to you, far exceeding any other accomplishment. Many of you here supported Scott in his faith and convictions..you have been his true friends and he will love you eternally for your support and friendship. To the family I say that everything Scott was on this earth, he still is. The very soul, the very spirit of Scott, with all of his wonderful attributes and his fun-loving spirit that same individual will once again be part of our lives when someday it becomes our turn to pass from this mortal existence. He will welcome each of you with open arms, and I will just bet he will have many accomplishments to brag about. Don't you think that Scott will have missed all of you as much as you miss him? He looks forward to the reunion with great anticipation. At that time, maybe he will even have something to report about that basketball game with Jesus. Maybe the Lord, in His infinite love for Scott, will give Scott that game he has always wanted. Personally, I am betting on the Lord, sorry Scott. To the ancient prophet Jeremiah, the Lord said "before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee and I ordained thee a prophet unto all nations." From this and countless other ancient and modern revelations, we learn that we all existed as individually unique spirit children of our Father in Heaven before our sojourn on earth began. I wonder if the passing from this mortal existence into the eternal life to come is not very similar to the time when we left our Fathers presence and came to earth. In that event, Scott was the one who had to wait, as most of us, according to the plan of our Heavenly Father, entered this life before him. Knowing him, that must have drove him crazy. Many of his family members here today came to earth before Scott, and welcomed him into his mortal life. It is now your turn to stay behind, and his to welcome you into the next life. The tables have been turned, as painful as it is to bear for those who still remain in this earthly challenge. But make no mistake about it, Scott will not fail you on your day. He will be the first in line to welcome you home and will have earned that right through arm wrestling, threats of severe beatings, or whatever it will take. Karl and Shane, Scott loved you like you were both his brothers. Karl, Scott loves you and desires you to be happy. He harbors no ill feelings toward you, whatsoever. Chris told me yesterday that he is so glad that Scott was by your side when he passed from this life, for Chris knows how much you love Scott and how much Scott loves you. Move on in your life, Karl, and live you life in such a way that Scott would be proud. You will be with your cousin again and you will feel of Scott's love for you always. And to Emma..Your brother is very concerned for you. I'm sure if you asked Scott what he would do if he ever saw a guy act inappropriately toward you, he would describe the horrible beating the poor fellow would receive from his two friends lefty and righty. Emma, Scott will not be able to be there physically to help you through your teenage years, but he expects you to be strong, and to live worthy of this blessing, there will be many times that the veil will be thin and you will feel of Scott's presence. This blessing depends on your faithfulness and willingness to be obedient to the commandments of our Father in Heaven. On a very personal note, I must take this opportunity to publicly thank Scott for something he did for my family on a summer day about 2 years ago. I was waiting for his missionary farewell to do this, but this time is even more fitting. This is my son Bobby. Laurie and I were eating a lunch on the Fackrell's front lawn with church members, and Bobby, much like Scott when he was young, had wandered off. Bobby, like Scott, is also the 4th born in his family of 5 children. Our enjoyable visit was suddenly interrupted by sounds of my son Bobby choking and gasping for air. As we rushed to the swimming pool, there stood Scott Fackrell, dripping wet with water, holding the young boy he had saved from the bottom of the pool. Scott had noticed the pool cover had been disturbed, ran over to the edge of the pool, and there he saw my son standing on the bottom of the pool with his hands outstretched. I wonder if an angel had whispered to my son to be calm, for a hero is on his way. Scott has never mentioned this to people. To him it was just something that needed to be done and he was there to do it. But to the Cunninghams, Scott Fackrell is our family hero. He saved us all unmentionable heartache and pain and has allowed us the joy of having Bobby in our home. When Bobby is old enough, I cant wait to give him a framed picture of his earthly hero, the young man who saved his life. Thank you my friend. What more can be said about this wonderful son, brother, and friend who has blessed our lives. Could we have asked for more love and wonderful memories than Scott provided during his brief time on this earth? How grateful we are to our Heavenly Father for our association with our brother Scott. Our blessings are many, our cup runneth over. Scott would have each of us commit our lives to the commandments of our Heavenly Father, for it is only through obedience to the commandments that we are guaranteed freedom and true, lasting joy. Scott would have each of us live our lives worthy of the Spirit of God, so that our decisions will bring happiness and honor to our Father in Heaven. Scott has set the example for us all. He has fought a good fight, he has been a good and faithful servant. Our temporary parting is but for a brief time, and our reunion will be sweet. Scott, we thank you for your friendship, your brotherhood, and your wonderful spirit. The hole you have left in the fabric of your family will remain, not as a symbol of pain and sorrow, but as a symbol of eternal love and hope. Scott does not wish any of us to feel hopeless or be sad, but to grit our teeth and fight on with faith in the Savior and determination to come out on top in the end. I pray we will do this, in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ, amen.


Paul Fackrell Jr.'s Talk from the Funeral:
First of all, I want to thank all of you who have helped my family through this difficult time. I've heard of all the people pulling together and helping to provide my family with everything that they've needed to pass through this trial. Then I'd like to thank you all for coming to support my little brother. For many of us here it's not the first time that we've gathered together as a large group to support Scott and his friends as they've fought on the basketball court & football field. Now we support them as they fight through this trial life has handed us. I can imagine that the mood is probably a bit different right now. I'm writing you all to tell you that it shouldnt be. This day my joy is full. I'm prouder of my little brother right now than I ever was as he shot the lights out in a basketball game or threw 50 yard touchdown passes. When my little brother left this world, he won the most important game of all, the game of life. Most of you know that I'm down in Argentina right now, but for those of you that dont know, I decided to leave my home for two years to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormons. Here I spend my days coaching people in this game of life. The rules are simple and the adversity is great, but we can win. There are two team captains in this game, one is Jesus Christ and the other is Satan. Many have played, many have won and many have lost. The rule books that were written by the Prophets of old show us the techniques and strategies to overcome our opponent. At times it seems hopeless; like were too far behind and at times we want to give up. Every time we fall, get tackled, or strike out we have to pick ourselves up and do better next time. Many ask, "What happens when the game is over? Where do the players go?" I want to share a verse from the Book of Mormon. This book is written by ancient Prophets here on the American continent. There was a Prophet names Alma, and in about the year 73 B.C. he wrote this to his son Corianton concerning the very question I've just made. He writes Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. My little brother won the game. Heavenly Father, our God greeted him with open arms, hugged him and said, "Welcome home my faithful son, youve made it, and you have won." Scott now awaits the day that our team captain, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ will come to sanctify the just and destroy the wicked. In that day, my little brother will take his place in the kingdom of Heaven with our Heavenly Father along with all of the other faithful sons and daughters that have passed through this world. Every man and woman, boy and girl chooses which team they want to play for. When we do well we play for Christ, and when we do wrong we play for Satan. We already know who will win in the final day, so why would we ever play for the losing team I ask? Satan is real and he plays real, but he will be beaten. When he is beaten he will drag his team down with him. He was no match for Scott, and my older brother Jesus Christ. I hope that you all will do the same. I love you all very much. To my family, I love you with all my heart and miss you so much. Im doing the Lord's work and Ill be home soon. To all of you here today, weve lost a good player from our team, an all-star, but he's rooting for us all. So play well. Paul Fackrell, Jr.