My Best Friend's Funeral: A Memoir

by Roger W. Thompson

There’s a certain kind of lost a boy feels in this world without a father. Tim felt it. I felt it. And we realized our only way out would be together. In an openhearted memoir of faith on the fringe, Roger Thompson meditates on the life and premature death of his best friend and business partner, Tim Garrety, cofounder of Skate Street Ventura. Roger and Tim’s twenty-year friendship was forged in the surf and on the streets of 1980s California. Together they hazarded countless waves and every rite of passage—from guitars to girls to God—and influenced the lives of thousands of skateboarders, musicians, surfers, and otherwise disconnected youth in the process. With unrestrained honesty and a punk-rock soundtrack, My Best Friend’s Funeral is a memoir of friendship, doubt, surfing, and the complex relationships between fathers and sons. If life has ever left you feeling abandoned—or if you simply prefer a rock show to a sermon— My Best Friend’s Funeral is a memoir you won’t want to miss, and a confirmation that you are never alone.

Genres: Memoir, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2014

Reviews

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed I'm disappointed that I couldn't get into this audiobook, as I do normally really enjoy memoirs written by ordinary people. I loved the narration by Kaleo Griffith and felt that he was the author talking to me over a period of time. Although there are many poignant moments in this audio, there are also some very funny parts to it too, which came across very well in the narration. I couldn't relate to it because I'm a woman and this is definitely about male friendships and a father son relationships. Also I'm British and so I didn't 'get' the many stories about high school. I'd definitely recommend this for guys. I would especially recommend it for those who have had issues with substance abuse themselves or close relationships with people who have, and for those who've lost their father at a young age.Thanks to christianaudio.com Reviewer's Program for the free copy of this audio.

[Mose Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! As a citizen of Ventura, this book made me realize just how much our small beach town has to offer. The subjects that this book covers, loss of fathers and friends, the transition from childhood to adulthood, and the woes of parenting, showed me just how much we take for granted. If I learned one thing from reading this, it would be ¨Take the time to tell the people you love that you love them because one day your world could be flipped upside down¨.

[Martine Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories of the friendship - skating through the school, building skate street, traveling with the band in the motor home. Much of this book is about the emotional and Christian spiritual journey of a man who grew up without a father and later lost his best friend. I enjoyed the descriptive parts more than the philosophical musings imparting wisdom. As my favorite English teacher used to say, more showing, less telling. Living in Ventura, with two boys who loved Skate Street, I particularly enjoyed all the Ventura references.

[Dax Clinkscale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from the male perspective, this book will definitely make you cry. It’s a very emotional story that centers on friendship, love and fatherhood. Great!

[Debi Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Best Friends Funeral: A Memoir is a powerful book by Roger Thompson. The book begins with Roger preparing to speak at Tim’s funeral. He reflects on the life lessons he learned from his friend. This book is filled with many interesting stories, both funny and sad, but more importantly, stories that help us to reflect upon our lives and relationships.

This book shares the true story about Roger and Tim, who are bonded by the need of a true best friend who get each other through hard times as teenagers, and grow in maturity as young men, husbands and dads. Roger lost his father at a young age, and when his best friend, Tim came along, he showed Roger the love of Christ.

Tragically, when Tim dies in an accident, Roger is left to sort out the meaning of it all, coming to terms with loss, grief, pain and forgiveness. If you have ever suffered the loss of a loved one, struggled with family relationships, or want to be a better friend, you'll be able to identify with this book. The story is an account of one man's coming to terms with need, relationships, loss, and redemption.

My Best Friend's Funeral will challenge you to think about the people and purpose of your own life. This book was a great book to read and will even make a great gift for someone who might be struggling with the impact of addiction, loss and a search for meaning in their lives. My Best Friend's Funeral is a memoir you won't want to miss, and a confirmation that you are never alone.

Mr. Thompson shares an up-front story - a reality of his life - and it's not an easy one. Sometimes, it is challenging, and sometimes it's just cruel and hopeless. In the face of loss and rejection, Mr. Thompson questions God's authority but ends up drawing closer to God in the process. It is clear that God has taken Mr. Thompson on an incredible journey that each of us can grow and learn from.

About the Author - Roger W. Thompson advocates for orphans in Haiti with the Hands and Feet Project, and produces surf movies with Walking on Water Films. When not working, Roger can be found fly-fishing, building furniture, and surfing with his sons near the coastal town of Ventura, California, where he lives with his wife, two young sons, one old dog, and seven productive chickens.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers without cost in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished My Best Friend’s Funeral: A Memoir by Roger Thompson. It resonated with me on so many levels. It reminded me of how fleeting our time is with the people we love. It spoke to my parental side, reminding me that my children simply need to be loved. It reminded me to put my life in God’s hands and he will carry me through even the roughest of times. It reminded me to see the living angels in my life. I laughed and cried as I went through this journey with Mr. Thompson. I was reminded of the eulogy I had to give at my father’s funeral and how very difficult it is to sum up someone’s impact on your life and the many ways they touch your soul. This book holds truths spoken in very sincere language that I know will continue to stick with me. I highly recommend this memoir – it is a wonderful, heart-felt read!

[Marlene Hekkert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger gives an honest and heartfelt portrayal of friendship, loss, doubt, and the complex relationship between fathers and sons in My Best Friend's Funeral. His writing is melodic, relatable and vulnerable, causing you to reflect on and appreciate the relationships and losses in your own life. "Somehow suffering matures, and seven years later I've stopped asking for the pain to disappear. Instead, I am asking for it to be made complete."

[Tina Comden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Ventura local story of a guy who lost a good friend and how he deals with it. He is such a sensative person, I'm sure writing this book helped him in his grief. He also speaks of having lost his father early in his life which haunts him throughout the book. Roger Thompson was the founder of Skate Street in Ventura. A lot of descriptions of local places here in Ventura, and it takes you back to when he was growing up here. Sweet, sad & funny too.

[Dennis Shelton]

My Best Friends Funeral is a must read for anyone who wants to see what abiding friendship looks like. I found lessons and examples of how to deal with my own grief and loss. I loved the backdrop of the book and setting of this true story. You will get lost in the story. Check out the video on You Tube about the book. I've already loaned my copy to a friend.

[Clint Garman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read - stories of the lake, fishing and time with dad. The death of dad and a friendship that knew no bounds and was beautiful. A passion for his friends and family and now wife and kids. The stories of his life have now been offered to us. So thankful to read his life and be part. I would recommend man or woman to dive deep into these pages.

[Kristy Benscoter · Rating 5 out of 5]

To anyone who has suffered loss

This book truly portrays loss and the harsh realities that come along with it. It is beautifully written and gives truth to so many things you may be feeling but unable to come to terms with in your loss. Thank you for sharing such an amazing story of an amazing life.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by a local author really gives a flavor of Ventura when we first moved here. The depth of friendship of the two men Roger and Tim and their life experiences was a touching story. There is much insight to life and the suffering that many people carry because of their personal experiences. The importance of religion and the strength it provides is particularly warming to the soul.

[Nick (Yu) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving and touching

I cried several times reading the beautiful words. Although growing up in a completely different environment in China, the emotion and feelings from Rog's words are so related. All the words are perfectly pieces together and allows emotion floating smoothly throughout. Highly recommended!

[Will Mcginniss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really resonated with this book. You see we're all on a journey and from one fatherless person to another I was super encourage by this read. Honest, real and gut level facing some of the toughest things life can throw at you. There is hope for me.

[Kristen Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best memoirs ever! I found myself highlighting sentence after sentence because they made such great points filled with wisdom and insight to quote later! A must read!

[Rachel Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 6 hours.
I lost my best friend in July 2017, and bought the book shortly after, but hadn’t been able to bring myself to read this. Emotions were too raw. For whatever reason, tonight I felt ready. It was amazing. I related to it in so many ways. Grief is so big and looks so different for different people and at different times, but the loss of a best friend is unlike any other loss, which transcends all other differences. I’m so thankful that he chose to share his story. What a tribute to his friend.