Lost a friend today

[bowserb]

I don't know how old you are, Contender. I graduated HS in 1964. Our class of 450 has a website, where probably a third of the class are registered members. About once every month or two lately, I get an email that a site member has passed away. There are already 125 gone that we know of, and probably a similar number who are listed as "unknown" meaning they've not joined the site. My best friend who he and I worked on our junk cars together has been gone for ten years. I had planned to go back and call on him (I live elsewhere from him and my HS), but when I looked him up, he was already gone.

A few weeks ago, a site member who I had known in elementary, jr high, but less so in HS and not at all later, emailed me. He was now in the the big city next to my small town. He suggested we should get together for lunch one day. Before I could get back to him, about five days later, I received a notice from our Class of '64 website that he had just passed away.

So what's my point? Contender, you were in constant contact with someone important to you. There are a lot of people I've known who were important at some time, recently or long ago. I'm retired now, and as busy as I am (doing the things you wonder how you took care of when you were working), it's time to look people up and at least say hello how are you doing before they're gone.

Thanks for the post, Contender.
Bill

 

[Mike J]

I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for his family.

 

[pawncop]

Additional prayer from Texas for his family and friends.

 

[Butterfield]

Sorry for your loss. Will pray for you and the family that was left behind

 

[contender]

Bill,
Over the last month,, I've had a total of 5 people I know pass away. But this particular gentleman was a Ruger fan,, AND a friend. Plus,, he was a STRONG supporter of Freedom & gun rights.
That's the main reason I shared.

But you are correct. We should reach out to folks we know & care about just to let them know we do still care.

PS,, I'm a little bit younger than you Bill! I'm only 65.

 

[pogomo]

For many years,, I've had a good friend,, who collected old Colts, Winchesters & Rugers. He owned a "Pawn & Jewelry" store in Asheville. And he has a son who has one in a neighboring town.

He passed away at home today, with family around him.

I could share all kinds of wonderful stories about my friend, George Lane, and in the past I have shared stuff about him.

But the biggest part,, is his STRONG & SOLID support for our local FoNRA events. Not only would he donate a couple of guns for our banquet,, he'd buy a full table,, AND they'd buy a lot of raffle tickets, as well as bid on many items on our auction.
Some may recall about 6 years ago,, he had gotten into a bidding war over a special Ruger Vaquero, one of only 70 known, to celebrate the fact our chapter has hand an event all 25 years (then) of the FoNRA. Another friend outbid George for a total of $6100.00 for the gun. That gun was later part of a ROCS Display of (4) of those Vaquero's by me.
Then, for the 30th anniversary of the FoNRA,, we had a special Colt Python. Again,, George was into a bidding war with a fellow pawn shop owner. That pawn shop owner finally bid $6000 for it & said to George; "Damn it George,, quit bidding, I'm buying it as a gift to you!" So Alan won the auction, and had the paperwork done to George.

Those two little things are just a brief glimpse of the kind of person my friend George was. And he had a heck of a Ruger collection. Something we enjoyed talking about.

While I'll miss my friend,, think of his family & give a soft prayer for his wife Dot, and his family.

As we ask get older we start to lose friends and family faster. It seems like the pain from our losses is deeper. It also seems to take longer to ease up. I was one of 3 guys who were as close as God would let his better. We were the 3 amigos. Now it's only me. I lost one 7 years ago and the other one 3 years ago. I still feel lost some days. No buds to hang out with or go places with, or work on things with. They are with God and they are looking down at me fumbling around. I still the cherish the time we had together.
Be safe

 

[gramps]

Prayers sent! How I missed this I don't know. As others have noted, our friends are dying at a faster rate. Really, we aren't that old, are we?(73) lol
gramps

 

[gunman42782]

Prayers....

 

[pogomo]

Prayers

 

[GasGuzzler]

RIP and thanks for sharing. Tough times but there's light ahead.

 

[KIR]

Being a semi-hermit (not many friends, but mostly acquaintances), whenever a personality/entertainer passes who gave me joy on TV, via movies musically or sports, etc., I get a little mysty and find it hard to believe that, thankfully, I am outliving all those who are my age and even younger. Don't really know why, but I find myself being nice/helpful/supportive to other people who need help or just make their lives a little better by giving them a smile and/or a greeting, especially when I take my walks around the Marina and/or parks. Has nothing to do about religion and any afterlife, if any.
To those who have lost someone they cared about, just be thankful for the times you shared and in way of remembrance, tell others about the good times you had together, so that way, they will be remembered during your lifetime and maybe a little longer. Peace and Blessings to you all.
Good, straight shootin' and STAY SAFE!

 

[32magfan]

I'm sorry for your loss, Tyrone. I will include you and his family in my prayers. Keeping in touch with people who are important (or were close/ important) is something one will never regret. Not doing this can lead to many regrets.

In my Dad's family, my uncle and his family became estranged after my grandmother passed away from the usual thing - money and estate squabbles. They never spoke again despite some efforts by my mother at a high school reunion (she graduated with the aunt). Nope. No dice. Twenty-five plus years… My Dad passed in 2014… Not a word since 1986!

Fast forward a couple of years later and the cousins( children of the uncle, me and my other uncle's two decide it had been long enough. We met in person at a restaurant, visited for about eight hours and had a grand time. One week later, my cousin Robbie was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was really more like a brother to me but it taught me a lesson about putting things off. None of us are promised tomorrow. Seek out old friends and coworkers, bury the hatchet with someone you wronged or that wronged you. You will feel better for it more times than not.

I'm blessed that this forum is here and full of ladies and gentlemen that I consider a group of friends.

32Magfan

 

[pogomo]

I'm sorry for your loss, Tyrone. I will include you and his family in my prayers. Keeping in touch with people who are important (or were close/ important) is something one will never regret. Not doing this can lead to many regrets.

In my Dad's family, my uncle and his family became estranged after my grandmother passed away from the usual thing - money and estate squabbles. They never spoke again despite some efforts by my mother at a high school reunion (she graduated with the aunt). Nope. No dice. Twenty-five plus years… My Dad passed in 2014… Not a word since 1986!

Fast forward a couple of years later and the cousins( children of the uncle, me and my other uncle's two decide it had been long enough. We met in person at a restaurant, visited for about eight hours and had a grand time. One week later, my cousin Robbie was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was really more like a brother to me but it taught me a lesson about putting things off. None of us are promised tomorrow. Seek out old friends and coworkers, bury the hatchet with someone you wronged or that wronged you. You will feel better for it more times than not.

I'm blessed that this forum is here and full of ladies and gentlemen that I consider a group of friends.

32Magfan

I joined this forum about a year ago. My main recent for joining was that i enjoy the back and forth between members. There's always something interest and friendly. Also warm words for fellows who are down or out. Just a bunch of guys who try to be friendly and caring. I only have a couple of ruger arms. So it's also been a learner trip.
Be safe