From Chris(SNO)-
Today is the first day I won’t be able to wish him a “Happy Birthday” over the phone via FaceTime, or the Stone-Age method of actually calling. It’s been a very strange experience. We had the standard father-son relationship with hunting trips when we could, talked about life during down times, and of course all things aviation/Navy related. We shared stories and asked what was different and how he did this or I did that. I had hoped to take him in a helicopter for one of his birthdays or as a Christmas gift to show him what flying really is! Joking of course, I just had to give him and his jet buddies a playful jab. As I continue to learn more about what goes into being an aviator, ground jobs and working with other military branches, I find myself wanting to pick up the phone to call him for guidance or just to complain about the day and hear “how it used to be in my time”. I’ll never forget the expertise and words of wisdom he imparted on me in regards to family, friends, and work. I hope to some day be half the man he was. I would like to end with my father’s favorite quote, modified slightly, from Gladiator, “If you find yourself alone, flying in CAVU skies with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you’re already dead!” Happy Birthday Old Man! *Raises a pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson*
Ashley(Biscuit)-
From Kate(Kat)-
I remember being on the east coast for Christmas, I couldn’t have been more than five or six years old at the time. And this year, I wanted one thing, the giant stuffed bear from FAO Schwartz. I had my eye on it since I had circled it in a magazine months before and absolutely nothing else would do. A few days before Christmas my dad took me to get some last minute gifts at the mall, and while he had no idea my ulterior motives, I knew I would be coming home with that bear. Before he knew it we were at the checkout stand purchasing a bear too big to be put inside a bag. For the remainder of the shopping trip I sat perched on my dad’s shoulders while he carried this monstrosity around the mall. But he didn’t complain and I remember going home and sitting with that bear all night. And I remember seeing him smiling at me. He was a smiley man, always laughing and telling jokes, often ones not as funny as he might have thought. But that was him. That was my dad. He was never as concerned with himself as he was with the rest of us, family absolutely always came first for him. He was the Giving Tree of our family, but he was so much more. He had a way with words, as I’m sure any one who has ever read a post of his can agree with. But he could piece together advice in ways that no one else has ever seemed to manage to. Everyday I can still hear his voice reminding me of the things he used to tell Chris, Ashley and me when we were down, stressed, or just needing guidance. He had a way of bringing things into perspective, reminding us what exactly it is we are complaining about when we are otherwise so extremely blessed. My days constantly remind me of him, there are times when I want to text him because I got a good grade or to tell him a funny story about the dog, and instinctively I’ll pull out my phone before remembering, “I can’t do that anymore.” I was at Starbucks with my sister one afternoon, the place was empty except for us and the two workers. Barely audible over the sounds of coffee machines and grinders, the sounds of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” filled the background. Just barely audible enough to spark recognition, and before we know it were both crying. Reminded of our dad, our dad and that song. Reminded of the way he used to sing it when he drove us around, smiling and laughing. Reminding us of the way things once were and the way they are now. We spent the whole car ride reminiscing, stories of the holidays, of our dad slicing the turkey, teaching us to drive, fishing on Father’s day, and of birthdays. This year we celebrate his birthday for the first time without him. But we have memories. And pictures. Happy times. We celebrate the life of the man who raised us, instilled our values, and taught us to be ourselves and to be proud of that. We celebrate his birthday, because for the first time, he cannot. Today, I think of my dad. Of the way he loved flying. I think of the way his eyes lit up when he checked the sky as a plane flew overhead. I think of the smile through his voice when he told stories about being a pilot. I think about how truly blessed he was to be able to make a living off something he enjoyed. I think of how truly blessed my family was to have him. I think of how truly blessed my family is to have everyone that has supported us. But no tribute to my dad would be complete with a quote from Yeat’s so, “I heard the old, old man say, all that’s beautiful drifts away, like the waters.” Happy Birthday, Daddy, I’ll always love you.
Your Dad was a man I greatly respected despite having never met him. You have been raised by one of the best and, from what you’ve written, it sounds like his apples didn’t fall far from his tree. Your Dad’s fierce pride in all of you came through his writings, loud and clear.
I pray that each of you will feel some comfort from the knowledge that your Dad touched thousands of people and made their lives better for their contact with him,even if it was only an electronic touch.
My deepest sympathies to you and your Mom. Please know that, despite your loss, he left you not only his legacy but a large group of friends who want only the best for you in the best possible ways.
May God bless you all, now and forever.
What a testament the three of you are to an extraordinary man.
I only knew your dad from finding him on the internet shortly before he passed, and these are the first words of yours I’ve read, but I’m crying my eyes out at the beauty and love and intellect you all possess. God Bless you all.
I as so pleased to read the words each of you wrote. I loved your Dad for all the reasons so many have expressed better than I. I miss him and will be there in spirit tonite. I shared one meal with him at Shakespeare’s – the only time I ever met him in person. It should not be a surprise that he talked a lot on that occasion about each of you and your mother. He was proud then of each of you and I am sure he is even prouder now in knowing how well the example he set is being followed in your own lives.
I miss him and think about him everytime I fire up the browser on my computer and start to surf toward his blog. Then I realize that I just won’t be finding his daily dose of sanity and grace in what seems to be an increasingly graceless world. That you are all making your own lives and living as he taught you gives me some sense of so solace.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
I almost feel like I shouldn’t leave a comment, shouldn’t intrude on such personal writings about your father. I know I am but a mere stranger and well-wisher to you all but, like all of us here, I felt and believed … I know in my heart that I truly knew your Dad. It didn’t take too many posts to realize the kind of man he was and you couldn’t read and interact with him here for 6 years without truly “getting” him – his devotion to his family, his Navy and his country. Even to this virtual community. He was an amazing friend – even to put people that he never physically met.
No words will bring back to you what you have lost but it brings tears to my eyes to read how you are each carrying on, making your own way in a life that will always be shaped by your relationship with you Dad. I read your words and although I know how hard it must be (how “strength” all too often involves putting on a brave face, going out into the world and doing what you must and then coming home to cry your eyes out, wishing you could curl up in a ball somewhere and just stay there), I know how proud your Dad is of you today. And I know how proud you will continue to make him. Raise a toast to the day he was born and the man he was, hold your family close and know how many of us wish we could be there with you to do the same.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
I see this went up as I was typing furiously away for my post @ “Shakespeare’s” Just let my post there be my comment and I’ll also say that I would be hard-pressed here to top the above comments. Your Father was a much-loved and well respected man who is fondly remembered..
Best to all..
VX
Read your comment on Shakespeare’s but thought to reply here. Publishing both Rhythm’s and the blog is in the works, we will keep you as up to date as we get more information
-Kat and the family
At the top of Part XXXI, there appears the following author’s note: “The author would like to express his grateful appreciation to Sgt. B., who penned this entry practically in its entirety, apart from the probably unnecessary framing overlaid for continuity’s sake. Semper Fi, Sergeant.”
As I am that “Sgt. B.”, I’d like to make sure that you have my contact info, just in case the legal beagles need me to sign off on my very wee part of Lex’s narrative. Not looking to try to cash in or anything: It’s all his, but as an aspiring writer, I’m curious now the process goes…
hvygunner@gmail.com
Semper Fi, and stay strong!
SGT B
SNO, Biscuit and Kat:
Your Mom and Dad did a superb job of bringing three wonderful people such as you into the world. Your Dad would indeed be proud of you all. While someday the grief you feel will ease, I think it’s safe to say, by your words here, that the love you have for your Dad will never fade. Best wishes to you and your Mom now and in the future.
Chris Goodrich, MSgt, USAF (Ret)
I am humbled by your grace, your strength and the way each of you clearly does indeed have your dad within you. He was the brother of my heart; a man I’d never met in person but who had such a profound affect on my life that it changed who I am in many fundamental ways. It remains a total mystery to me how one person could have such a beautiful family, a full career, an avid life of pursuing those things that he loved and still find a way to share so much of himself with the rest of us – mere strangers.
We strangers, we number in the hundreds, and each one of us thinks of your dad all the time. And by extension we think of you and your mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers most every day. It must feel strange to you all – to have so many people think of you like our own family.
Your dad was so much more than we here in the cyber-world could ever know and you have given us a glimpse of that which we suspected. Thank you for allowing him to share so much of himself with all of us, and for now sharing so much of yourselves thru your memories of him.
He will be missed and honored for the rest of my lifetime. He was a man among men. Tonite I will raise a glass of his beloved Woodford’s Reserve to toast the life of a man who really was one in 7 billion.
Hugs to you all – Chris, Ashley, Kate and your mom – may your memories of shared laughter, silly songs and wisdom bind you together, secure in the knowledge that your dad & husband is watching over you – with pride and joy.
Thanks to you three for sharing. For the last nine(?) years, and today.
You three do him proud, of that I have no doubt. Grief’s a journey, but you all are traveling it well, and there is no doubt that the best of him is living on in you.
Amen to all of what the posters above, and the kids have written.
May God bless you all. Please give our best to your mother, as well.
And, thanks again for sharing. We share your loss, and the joy at having know (albeit from afar) a truly great man who seems like a close family member to us all.
Chris, Ashley, Kate,
Although none of us have met face to face, I feel like I know you. I also saw it was your dad’s birthday today on FB and decided to follow up because I was privileged to fly with your dad in August 2011 in San Diego.
Long story short, I started following the Neptunuslex.com blog and after a year and a half learning more about the Nep Lex community, chose to set up an Air Combat flight in the Varga Kachina, only if your dad could be the instructor. He didn’t know me other than as a “Leave a Reply” member of this community.
The formation flight of two “1100 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal” Varga Kachina’s was the highlight of a rather good mini vacation (the other two days were spent at Warner Springs flying gliders). I spent about 2.5 hours with your father on a Sunday morning and was pretty much speechless during and afterwards. Although I have more than 2000 hours of flight time in over 35 different types, the two and a half hours I spent with your dad changed me forever. He had a gift and shared it with me. I wrote about my Air Combat experience extensively on FB, mentioning how impressed I was with your dad.
I was further moved to happy tears when a few months later when in early December 2011, he posted a short photo montage with a Christmas theme. The family oriented message had great music with many family pictures of you three and your mom and lo and behold, a picture of me sitting in the back of the Varga Kachina, thumbs up, smiling. I was so pleased that he had included me in this very personal message.
So on this birthday, I celebrate with you.
Glen Gates
Chris, Ashley, Kate,
Although none of us have met face to face, I feel like I know you. I also saw it was your dad’s birthday today on FB and decided to follow up because I was privileged to fly with your dad in August 2011 in San Diego.
Long story short, I started following the Neptunuslex.com blog and after a year and a half learning more about the Nep Lex community, chose to set up an Air Combat flight in the Varga Kachina, only if your dad could be the instructor. He didn’t know me other than as a “Leave a Reply” member of this community.
The formation flight of two “1100 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal” Varga Kachina’s was the highlight of a rather good mini vacation (the other two days were spent at Warner Springs flying gliders). I spent about 2.5 hours with your father on a Sunday morning and was pretty much speechless during and afterwards. Although I have more than 2000 hours of flight time in over 35 different types, the two and a half hours I spent with your dad changed me forever. He had a gift and shared it with me. I wrote about my Air Combat experience extensively on FB, mentioning how impressed I was with your dad.
I was further moved to happy tears a few months later when in early December 2011, he posted a short photo montage with a Christmas theme. The family oriented message had great music with many family pictures of you three and your mom and lo and behold, a picture of me sitting in the back of the Varga Kachina, thumbs up, smiling. I was so pleased that he had included me in this very personal message.
So on this birthday, I celebrate with you.
Glen Gates
Wow. Thought I’d make it through the day, today, by busying myself with other things. Your Dad and I became friends during his initial forays onto the ‘net, finally getting to face to face, after many years, when you all were living in Fallon and he was TOPGUN (“All caps, all one word”) XO. I am very proud of the fact that, based on personal experience, I was able to talk him out of the vague notion he had about going to law school. He would have excelled at it, and would have been an outstanding attorney, regardless of his field of law. We all would have been the lesser for it, too.
I regret not being pressing on him more to get together every year my family and I returned to Coronado for Thanksgiving, but we both admitted to the huge press of family commitments that time of year and always said, “maybe next time, we need to spend time with our family.” But I greatly treasured our “conversations” here, and came, through him, to get a deeper, richer sense of all of you than that of many of my friends and acquaintances here. As a father and as a son, I can tell you that he loved you all truly, madly, deeply.
And, by the way, in case there was any doubt, he was one of the best damn Naval Aviators I’ve ever known. Ever.
Thank you all.
Chris, Ashley and Kate,
Thanks for sharing your father with us all these years through his writing, and sharing your feelings towards your Dad today. I can’t tell you anything you don’t know already as far as what kind of man he was, but know this – he touched many lives and became a ‘brother’ in many ways to his readers across the country. As many others, I see events in the news and wish I could read your Dad’s thoughts on the topic, but I can’t – and I’ll feel that way the rest of my life.
Bless you all-
Todd
Indianapolis
Thanks for posting this – you three are a tremendous reflection of the man that your father was. Thank you for sharing this day with us.
Bryan
Your father (and mother) did quite a job raising 3 fine children. As I was reading these wonderful tributes I was smiling at the thought of a determined 6 year old Kat not going to leave that mall without that giant bear, and of a father who loved his daughter so much that buying it – and carrying it around – was a foregone conclusion.
Or a son who has so much of his aviation legacy – I think Lex will always be his co-pilot.
Ashley – to your question – I think it is both genes and upbringing.
I don’t know if this will help give you solace or not – but some years ago, going through my own grief – I was walking my dog along a path by the river – thinking of the times someone I loved was with me there – the tears were just flowing with the memories overwhelming.
I finally asked God if this person was “fine and aware of us” to give me a sign – and about 5 minutes later such a sign – couldn’t be coincidental – a unmistakable sign appeared.
Ever since that time I have been comforted by the belief that while those we love may be out of this plane they can still follow us – and watch us.
I wanted to be in “Sandy Eggo” for the 5:30 tribute but looks like I can’t make it.
One of the things I wanted to say at Shakespeare’s was not only drinking to your father – which I will do here at 5:30 – a Guinness of course – but offer a toast to military families who – so many times forgotten – sacrifice so much for their husband/wife/father/mother while they are deployed.
Without the love & support that you all obviously have and gave for your father, he could not have become the man he became.
So, I would like to think that at the appointed hour when you are toasting to him, Lex, wherever he is, is toasting you.
And I believe will still be watching over you while on his deployment.
Thank you for sharing your Father with us. We knew thru his writings how important you and your Mom were to him. His pride was repaid in worthy children. Good parenting can not be faked. I know personally how protective he was of Kat, based on my attempted post after her third accident.
I never met Lex, but he was a figure of inpiration to me. We shared the same year group, but we chose different paths. The US Navy and America was blessed with Lex, and we are richer for reading and understanding his blog.
Thank you again.
I want to add that I will fulfill my promise to buy Rhythms in hardback and in quantity.
The three of you can actually write! JK What a thrill to see the three of you share something.
I love this post so much, seeing how the three of you have captured the essence of who is your father. I say ‘is’ because, as much as he is alive in Heaven, all that he shared is with you now.
We have The Daily Lex to enjoy, we the Mothership here, but it’s the active community fostered by your Dad that makes all of this so special. Having someone who could be so open and candid is rare and remarkable. His offspring showed us the same in the remarks above.
I’ll shut up now and move on.
My best to all of you.
Edgar
PS I like the book search bars to the left. Funny how I just noticed them. Been there long?
[...] Happy Birthday, Lex It’s with sadness and joy that we remember today the birthday of the late Carroll Lefon, Neptunus Lex. [...]
Lex taught me so much-about life, about politics and religion and civility and every thing.
And about myself. Thank you for sharing him with us.
On this special day I wish I could be there to tell each of you, including your mother, how much your father is missed each and every day.
I found his blog and I was hooked. As Chris undoubtedly knows, your father did not learn his writing skills at the Boat School. His writing was so impressive that I often urged him to think seriously about a second career as an author.
I only met him once on the field at Palomar. We talked, and I knew that this was a man who could become a lifetime friend. Unfortunately he had a brief and our conversation was cut short. However, in later e-mails I learned that I had known and worked with his sister Ann.
Long ago, as a young Marine, I learned that the test of a good officer is to ask yourself “Would I be willing to have my son serve under him in combat?” Your father was the kind of officer that I would want my son to serve with. He was not only an exceptional leader, he was also a remarkable teacher.
He touched all of us in many positive ways. It was an honor to have known him and called him “friend.”
SNO, Biscuit and Kat – it seems that it’s a genetic trait for LeFon’s to be able to write from the heart and really move people with their words. I thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us today, the personal experiences you remember of times spent with your Dad just reinforce the image I had of him as an individual. The three of you are a true testament to a man I respect and admire. Happy Birthday Lex and God bless the LeFon family!
I have often thought of your family and had tried to ask how you were all doing heading into the holiday season that will be without him this time.
He is a good man and one I looked up to across the miles and over the time I read of him.
It sounds like his legacy was a success in his family.
Up here in Bath, Maine, I’ll be buying your dad a shot & a beer in remembrance of him, and in celebration of his life.
It has been an honor to have met him, talked with him, drank with him and to have Read his stories.
I’m gonna sigh off now and just say “Thank You” to the Family, to the Lexicans, and to Captain LeFon.
SNO, Biscuit and Kat: Thank you so much for your tributes; your writings make this day so much more tolerable. My heart goes out to the three of you and your Mom on this day, which can’t be anything more than supreme heartbreak, all over again.
God bless you all.
Reading the three of your comments, “it is to weep” as he would say. Reading your words is to hear an echo of him. As others have remarked, you have your fathers gift, the ability to craft words with meaning and impact. Having read about you over the years and now having actually read you, there is no greater tribute to your father than the three of you. And no greater birthday gift than that which you offered today.
Happy birthday, Lex. I think tou can read these words from the heaven. Thanks, Kat, for keeping blog.
Your Dad was always SO proud of the three of you.. and your pride in him comes through in your words. He is sorely missed.
I had completely forgotten to come here today due to some big life issues. Inadvertently clicked the bookmark, and so very glad I was guided to do so. Faith and happiness to you all, Lex was a Great American.
Chris, Kate, Ashley,
I’m sad to say my plans to attend tonight have fallen through. But I too will hoist a libation in honor of your father, and his gifts to us. They are manifold- the blog, his words of advice and inspiration to oh so many of us, his insight into life, and the condition of man, his service to our nation.
But no doubt the greatest gift he gave our world is the three of you, wonderful people, with much love and life to share with the world.
Chris, Ashley, Kate……thank you all for sharing. Your Dad had a gift that he shared with many. After reading your post, I sense he has passed it along to each of you in his own way. Be well, and may the Lord bless you.
Your father was a great man and did many things to make the world around him a better place. Even so the most important thing he and your mom ever did was raise 3 outstanding children. Have fun, live large and take comfort in knowing that his legacy is forever secure because you will make it so.
Semper Fi
From Baghdad, where I’m deployed, I also miss your father, a shipmate I wish I had been able to spend more time with. Continue to do him proud; I know you have.
And please pass along our love to your mom; may her burden ease.
Chris, Ashley and Kate, I read your postings when there were no comments, and I was loath to add anything at first. I’m glad to see your grief has not made it too hard to think and talk about your father. And I’m grateful that you all saw fit to share your feelings with us. Best wishes. I see you’re doing his memory proud.
As much as those of us who were/are the readers of this blog miss Carroll (Neptunus Lex) Lefon, for you, his family, it is that multiplied times infinity.
Those above expressed much better than I am able how moving your three tributes to your father are. All I can add is: well done and God bless.
Please always remember that if any of you are in the Portland, OR area and there is anything that I can do for you, don’t hesitate to call. (Your mother should have my ‘phone number.)
Paul
As always, thank you for sharing him with us. He was truly a one in a million and very proud of you all. Very much so.
Happy Birthday Skipper.
Thanks, guys, for sharing with us your remembrances of your Dad. I’m so glad to hear you all are hanging in there on what must be a difficult day, and a difficult time of year. Your Dad was a special friend and I think of him often. I am really looking forward to owning a copy of Rhythms.
It is said that the true mark of a man is not in his wealth or his possessions or the things he has; rather, it is how he puts his mark on the people he meets throughout his life. Your father was a man whose “touch” reached far and wide, even to people who like myself who have never met him in person, yet knew as I would a brother. I have never, outside of family, been so grieved to hear of a passing. I went through anger and denial, the whole nine yards. And then, I realized, that your father, “Lex” Lefon, was one hell of a man. I am proud to have known him and to be a small part of the community that grew up around his writings.
Last, it is easy to see his mark upon his children. From your words, your affection for your father, your acceptance of his loss, you are of the same strong compassionate breed as him. I also will buy your fathers book. I had promised to do so years ago. I will keep that promise so that I can always remember that I once knew a great man.
Salute!
Had a curious burden today, actually thinking of Lex and the times. Now I know why. Glad I stopped by and happy/sad to join in this salute to Lex and the legacy he has left us.
Happy Birthday! And kids, thanks.
Chris, Ashley and Kate – thank you very much for sharing.
Happy Birthday Carroll.
SNO, Biscuit, and Kat,
No finer tribute and sentiments of the profound love of a father have ever been written in this medium. You do your Dad proud. We knew from his prose how much he loved you three. We now see how much you returned that love and with deep respect. God bless you and your Mom this day of both joyful memories and heartache.
Dust
Happy Birthday to a great man in every sense of the word. Though he may not be with us in person, he is with us in spirit. In honor of Lex’s Birthday, I offer the following quote from the Bible, Deuteronomy 7:20:
“Moreover, the LORD your God will send the Hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.”
All the best to Lex’s fine family, and thank you for the opportunity to express our admiration for Lex.
Bill Sprague
Happy Birthday to a great man, in every respect. Lex may not be with us in person, but he will always be with us in spirit. A quote from the Bible in his honor:Deuteronomy 7:20
“Moreover, the LORD your God will send the Hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.”
Best wishes to Lex’s fine family, we all appreciate the opportunity to honor nis memory and service on his birthday.
Bill Sprague
Thank you for continuing to share your father’s legacy and memories with us.
Thank you all for this! I miss your dad & wish I could’ve told him I was going to be a dad too. I hope to be 1/2 as good is he.