Thank you curious butterfly for reviving this thread. Quite interesting to read about the different child, father relationships.
My father is close to a saint in my eyes. He is 80 years old and was raised as a JW - baptized in the 30's - married my 3rd generation JW mom in the 50's. They have been hard core JWs their entire life - never, EVER doubting that this is the only true organization of this earth. They raised 5 kids in a decent style even though my father only had an eigth grade education. He was always soft spoken and gentle (and often emotional) - hugged and kissed us kids and always told us how much he loved us. He made my sister and I (and mother)feel like the most beautiful, refined women in the world. He was the congregation overseer from the 50's until the 70's when the elder arrangement was brought in - He has been an elder ever since. He is too kind to cut me off even though I am disfellowshipped. We talk everyday - he always reminds me how special I am to him and Jehovah. He is getting quite frail and I will so miss him when he is gone.