Remembering Eric Toothaker

Remembering Eric ToothakerComments 2 Recommend 6
24-year-old Hurlburt airman was found dead in Santa Rosa Sound
May 29, 2008 - 6:01PM
Robbyn Brooks
NAVARRE - Eric Toothaker was a hero to his younger brothers and sisters.Brandon, 16, and Tanya, 19, both used the same word to describe him: "Awesome.""Hearing he was gone was the most shocking moment of my life," Brandon Toothaker said from his home in Hazelton, Pa.Memorial Day was Eric Toothaker's birthday. His wife had given him a blue kayak and he set off on an excursion on Santa Rosa Sound. It was a new adventure for the 24-year-old Hurlburt Field airman, who never did much kayaking. But he was no stranger to water or rafting."He could swim like a fish," said his father, Bill Toothaker. Eric never came home. He was found floating facedown in the sound about a half-mile east of the Woodlawn Beach boat ramp in Midway early the next morning.Bill said Eric's wife, Megan, feels somewhat responsible for her husband's death because she gave him the kayak."He wanted that kayak and he was getting it one way or another," Bill said of his son's tenacity.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is trying to piece together a timeline of what happened to Eric. They know Megan had contact with him at about 1 p.m. and two people found his abandoned kayak at about 2:30 Monday afternoon near Soundside Drive. When Bill called his son to wish him a happy birthday Monday evening, he only got his voice mail.Wounds on Eric's body indicate he may have been hit by a boat. An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday, but the results haven't been released.Eric's parents and their spouses, and Megan and her parents will attend a memorial service for Eric at 11 a.m. today at Hurlburt before they take him back to Pennsylvania."I'm going to miss his smile the most," Bill said. "He was one of the easiest kids ever to raise. You'd never see him without a smile."Brandon last saw Eric in September, the same month Eric was married and began his service as an aircraft mechanic at Hurlburt. He was an Airman 1st Class with the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron."We just hung out," Brandon said of that meeting. "Just being around him was enough for me."Eric's sister, Tanya, said he and Megan picked her up while she was in an Air Force tech school in Mississippi. She said the last day she spent with her big brother was a happy one. They went to an aquarium and shared time together."It was a lot easier going through basic and everything," Tanya said. "He'd already done it. He was so much help."Tanya is stationed in Germany, but is home for Eric's funeral."I'll miss pretty much everything about him," Tanya said. "He loved being outdoors and he loved sports."Bill said Eric was a huge fan of Duke basketball and Penn State football."Every time I talked to him, the conversation always drifted that way," Bill chuckled of his son's enthusiasm for sports.The last memory Bill has of Eric is playing basketball with him and Brandon. He said it was something the three enjoyed doing together.Eric's mother, Carrie Sernak, said he was independent and loved to do things for himself ever since he was young. One of her proudest moments as a mom was seeing him in uniform.His family described the young airman as a man of honor, pride and loyalty."He'd never hurt anyone else's feelings," Bill said. "He always put others before himself."Bill said the loss of his son is devastating for the entire family, including Eric's 2-year-old sister, Faith, and his 7-year-old brother and godson, Adam.Bill asked to share this thought with other parents: "Hug your kids. Tell them you love them. The chance may slip by and you'll never get it again."
IF YOU KNOW SOMETHINGAnyone with information on Eric Toothaker's accident should call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 404-3922.

My heart hurts so badly!

Airman found dead
Eric Toothaker, 24, found in Santa Rosa Sound on Tuesday morning
Robbyn Brooks
Tuesday May 27th, 2008 Comment on this Story Read Comments
MIDWAY — An airman stationed at Hurlburt Field was found dead Tuesday morning in Santa Rosa Sound. Eric Toothaker, 24, was reported missing by his wife after he didn’t come home Monday from a kayaking excursion. Rescuers found him floating face-down about 200 yards from shore about a half-mile east of the Woodlawn boat ramp in Midway. His blue kayak had not been recovered as of Tuesday afternoon. “The kayak is considered evidence in this case,” said Stan Kirkland with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Kirkland added that Toothaker’s injuries indicate he may have been hit by a boat. An FWC helicopter and four vessels searched for the kayak and the orange paddle Toothaker was using. The kayak may have sunk, Kirkland said. Finding the paddle could lead searchers to it. Toothaker of Navarre set out sometime Monday afternoon — his birthday — in a kayak his wife had given him. “Our top priority right now is taking care of his family and ensuring they have the support they need to make it through this trying time,” said Hurlburt spokeswoman Tech. Sgt. Angela Shepherd. “Every Hurlburt airman plays a vital role and the loss of any one of them creates a giant rift.” Toothaker was an Airman 1st Class assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He had been stationed at Hurlburt since September 2007 and worked as an aerospace propulsion apprentice. “We desperately need to recover this kayak,” Kirkland said. If someone finds the kayak, he or she should contact the FWC immediately, said Kirkland. The kayak should be not be touched any more than it may already have been. Anyone with information about the accident or where the kayak might be should call 888-404-3922. Daily News Staff Writer Robbyn Brooks can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1445. If you have memories or photos of Airman 1st Class Eric Toothaker you'd like to share for a memorial story, contact Robbyn Brooks at robbynb@nwfdailynews.com, or calling (850) 315-4445.

Eric....Happy Birthday

Today is Eric's birthday....and it also falls on Memorial Day this year. How fitting since he is currently serving in the United States Air Force.

So today's blog is in tribute to Eric.....The top 10 Reasons I love Eric.

10. Because when the engine started to smoke on the Jimmy you were like "no Dad, it didn't run funny".....see my post on my Dad....hey Eric I didn't know Cars took oil so that is why that is funny to me.

9. You took the initiative to make something great out of your life. A solider. Not only today on Memorial Day but everyday that makes me proud.

8. That you stood beside your Dad to be his best man. Enough said.

7. That when we asked you to be AA's godfather you did so willingly and boy does he think the world of you.

6. That when we went to Disney world, you gave in to my silly request for Photos with characters and dinner with Pooh, and did so with great fun.

5. That at our wedding, you gave your toast and welcomed me to your family, then called your father a "cracker". Laughter filled the hall.

4. That when I danced with you at your wedding, and we were talking you said" you're the best thing that could have happen to my Dad". When I feel like, I am the one who is blessed, by your father and his children. Thanks for great times and memories.

3. That your 4th grade poems had such flare. You wrote about a dinosaur...... If I found a dinosaur that was hungry I would give him a piece of candy. And if he was still hungry then he would have to go to the commosary. Then if hes still hungry then he will eat a house and poeple and then the Earth. Next he would drink the rivers and then MEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I just love to read your poems and writings, such a time when innocence was at it's peak.

2. That you love Megan, I happen to think she is a great person, one who is filled with love. I couldn't have hoped for a better match. I see the way you look at her, and it makes my heart melt.

1. That you are my "son". I am proud of your accomplishments and honor you today in a big way. I love you! Happy Birthday!

Let's not count the miles in between, they're not what matters most.

Let us recall the joys we've shared, those thoughts will keep us close.

Let us fill our minds with thoughts, of memories held dear,

And the miles in between us will just seem to disappear.

Happy Birthday Eric! We love you more everyday!

Loving on the Baby

Legacy of Two Mothers
Once there were two women who never knew each other.

One, you don't remember and the other you call mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make yours one.

One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.
The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it

The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.

One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One chose to give you up. It was all that she could do.

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,

The age-old question through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you the product of?

Neither, my darling, neither.

Just two different kinds of love-

Unknown author

Still Beautiful after two weeks

Well, it has been two weeks since Mother's Day and my flowers are still beautiful.

They have now all opened up, smell great and are a great pick me up in the morning.

Thanks Again, Megan and Eric for the beautiful bouquet.

Celebrating AA

Last week we had plans to take AA and our family to Knoebels Park, but the weather had other ideas. It poured down rain all day. So we adapted plans, ordered pizza and had a mini birthday celebration in Monster Truck Style.

Here are a few of the photos from that day!

In Memory of Maria Sue Chapman, Please Pray for this Family of Christ

In memory of Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
Last night Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter of Steven Curtis & Mary Beth Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident in the family driveway. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, but for only reasons God can explain, she went home to Him... not back to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.
We are all humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time. The friends of the Chapmans and Shaohannah's Hope have overwhelmed the website servers and jammed phone lines with gracious words and heartfelt prayers. The Chapman family is so grateful.
Obviously, we cherish your prayers for all in the Chapman family, please continue to pray for:
- God's comfort and healing for the whole family, that He would be near to them and they would find refuge in the shadow of His wings- The church to lift them up in prayer, word, and deed, helping them to bear the burden of this tragic loss- God to work in glorious ways to quickly pour out His redemption, grace, and peace to all affected by this heartbreaking situation
* We welcome you passing this along to others to pray, encouraging them to sign up for weekly orphan prayer updates.* Any updates or information we get, we will post here >* If you’d like to meet Maria and express your condolences click here >

* In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope. Donate here at showhope.org/maria >
Thank you again for your prayers and support.

"Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work." - Oswald Chambers