It’s strange to write a tribute to someone who your heart refuses to believe is gone. Tom Narak was a second dad to me. Before we ever met, he was the reason I got into the school that put me on a waiting list for three years. The first time we did meet in person at a Rotary meeting, he told me about an annual trip he takes to Xicotepec, Mexico to help underserved communities. I told him I would love to go but my parents would never let me go on an international trip alone in high school. Him and his wife, Carol, came to our house to personally promise my parents that they would ensure my safe return. Somehow my extremely worried parents trusted them and let me go. When I ran a week long conference for high school students and needed volunteers that would sleep in college dorms for a week, he said yes without hesitation. He also took me with him on a roadtrip to Atlanta for an international conference and booked me a hotel room next to him and his wife when I accidentally reserved the wrong date. He introduced me to his beautiful family along the way and stopped in Alabama to show me around the city. Him and Carol were always the first to tell me when they thought a friend or partner in my life was bad news, and would take me out for coffee to cheer me up on bad days. He would text me to tell me he was proud of me, and was so happy to hear I was getting married and going to law school. He was a champion for the little voices. A superintendent for our school district for many years and someone you could always count on to fight for the little guy, and do the right thing. He stood by my side through so many ups and downs I can’t even count them. He was at my high school graduation, my wedding, and all the celebrations in between. I truly cannot accept that he is gone. His impact will be felt for generations, and I’ll forever cherish the lessons I learned from him. I love you so very much, Tom. I cannot think of a kinder, more gentle person. Rest in peace.