About this photo:

It isn't anything but a snapshot, and I didn't take it...however:

My uncle was a great man to me. Not a perfect man, but someone I looked up to with respect and love; he always had time for me, always took an interest in me, celebrated with me when I had victories in life, and commiserated and encouraged me through setbacks.

He taught me how to play catch when I was a kid, and took me fishing and hunting when I was old enough. Every Thanksgiving our extended family would get together, all of my uncles would watch football, and this uncle took pains to help me understand the game, even though I admit to not being a real football fan. He wrote to me when I was stationed overseas, spoke about his memories of the Army, and encouraged me to find the good in the experience. He taught me how to stand up for myself against bullies, and was a strong influence on me in how to try to live an honorable life as a man.

When I married, he welcomed my wife into our family as if she had always been a well-loved member of it; he remembered my daughters with cards at all of the important passages of life, and encouraged them to pursue the best things about life.

He was a firefighter (later Fire Captain) with CDF until he retired. His life was not without its own tragedies and imperfections, but in my eyes he was a towering figure.

He passed away recently while on a hunting trip in the Trinity Mountains, in his sleep, under a sky full of stars.

This photo is of me and him in 1959; I was 4, and he was 28 at the time.

Good Night Uncle Earl, and Godspeed. I will never, ever forget you.

and a great inspiration to you. I'm sorry for your loss. :hug:

I wanted to share the photo, although I realize it doesn't mean anything to anyone but me. He was a great guy. :hug:

Very nice tribute you wrote. And great photo of the two of you.

:hug:

It is still hard not to think of you as KC2... :D

I liked the photo, although I am aware it doesn't mean anything to anyone but myself. I just came across the picture a couple of days ago, it brought back a lot of memories, and I decided to post it.

Kind of dumb because very few people on this board answer my posts, but I just felt like doing it.

:hug:

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and a very nice tribute. He went in a good way.

Anyone who knew him knew that there was no other way that could have been better...except, perhaps, a rapid heart-attack at the beach in far Northern California, with a goodly-sized Lingcod on the end of his fishing line! :D

and will always be a fond remembrance for you. Nice of you to share.

The man was a very much needed influence in my life.

...looks like your uncle's legacy continues...:hug:

you are very kind. :hug: I just wrote what came from the heart. He filled a very important place in my life.

OT, but I love your state! I drove through a 3 years ago, and had a very moving experience on a warm summer evening at Shiloh Battlefield; I was the only one there from about 5-8:30. Took this photo there:

Love that picture.

He probably kept me from pursuing a worse path than I actually did. :hi:

FREE THE DUCK!

Heartwarming.....
Thank you for sharing your uncle with us:hug:
I'm sorry for your loss...yet the way he left, under the stars, was a beautiful way to pass..
The photo is awesome...

peace~

I'm pretty sure (now that I am an adult and in pensive mode) that he recognized there was a need to fill in the father-figure portion of my life.

People often don't realize the good that they do. :hug:

What a gift to have had someone like that. It's all about family, isn't it?

I wouldn't think to burden you with the details of my life, but our family (my grandparents, uncles, aunts, mom) functioned in a way that I suppose families should, especially during difficult times.

I consider myself very fortunate to have had these people in my life! :hug:

Judging from the picture, you're a boomer like me.

I lost my dad at age 9, had my mom until she left at age 93, and in between, I've become the "favorite aunt" of some of my family in addition to my best friends girls, who are my God-children. I've been the step mom of the only son I'll ever have. The bridge from one generation to the other holds such power. Every time I see a "moment" between perfect strangers, I'm reminded of it.
:hi:

we do, indeed, exist as links in a very long chain. I hope to leave more good than pain in this life. :hi:

Thank you for sharing your uncle with us.

:hug:

He took the time to care about a nephew he knew needed love and male guidance, and made an enormous difference in my life. :hug:

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful memorial.

:hug:

an imperfect person, as we all are, but he did a great deal of good for me, and it changed a life. :hug:

And what a way to slip away. Peace to you and your family.

His passing was as he would have wanted it, and I know he felt it was getting to be time to go; he had come to accept that stage of the journey, and was at peace with it as the natural course of life. The fact that it was not painful or drawn out, as is too often the case, was a blessing to all.

Thankyou for your good wishes. :hug:

I'm sorry for your loss :hug:

I had not seen this picture for many years; now, looking at it as an adult twice the age of my uncle in that photo, it makes me realize how important it is to do good for others while we can.
That is something he helped me realize, without ever actually saying so.

:hug:

:hug:

What a wonderful tribute to your extraordinary uncle...

I'd say he had an apt pupil in you...

Safe passage to him!

May your memories of him in your life sustain you in this time of grief...

:hug:

you are very kind, as always. :hug:

Passing is part of life as you well know, having been a nurse...we accept it as I know he would, and remember the good things.

just say...The way he went...You have to find some peace in that. I would choose it, if one can choose that sort of thing. :hug:

He was an avid outdoorsman his whole life. His health was good until the very end; the coroner said it was a massive heart attack, and that he went quickly in his sleep. :hug:

Thank you for sharing part of a life lived well.

for taking the time to read it. :hug: