Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: JW_Halverson on August 25, 2012, 12:47:36 am
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The uncle for whom I was named passed away the other day. He was a certified character, always something tickling his funny bone and making him laugh.
I remember begging him to dig out his guitar and play for me. He'd inevitably play "Big, Bad John". Looking back, that is hilarious as all heck to me. I was a sickly, pale, skinny, undersized kid and I know he was singing it with an unvoiced prayer under his breath that I'd grow up to fill out like the man in the song.
He taught me my first cuss words. Bless him, I've made good use of them ever since.
In all likelyhood he also gave me my first slug of beer.
One of my most treasured photos is of him with a great horned owl sitting on his shoulder back in the early 70's. It just showed up at their place and my cousins snared gophers for it all summer. Years later I have a great horned owl that I take care of on a daily basis. I've even snared a gopher or two for her.
A good man even with his flaws and shortcomings.
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We could all use an uncle like that in our lives. Sorry for your loss.
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Sorry for your loss, John.
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Is sounds as if the fond memories keeps him with you....sorry to hear of your loss
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Sorry for your loss.
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Sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man.
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Sorry, JW. It's hard to imagine the effect we sometimes have on those around us. It sounds like he left you with some pretty good memories.
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In some cases, the best parts of a person are the memeories they leave behind and sometimes the memories just plain outgrow their owner. Sounds like you had an Uncle worthy of the memories. It also seems he has left a lasting mark on ya... I'm bettin he was proud to have you as his namesake.
Sorry for your loss, John. Glad you've got the memories!
Scott
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JW aint gone, he is the memories you have. Everytime ya call up a memory and the love, he's grinnin like a cheshire cat. He is a lucky man to have that legacy.
rich
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It's difficult to lose one you are close to and more so if they are of good nature and humor as it sounds like your uncle was. Sorry to hear of your loss JW.
Greg
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Sorry for your loss JW. Neat that you got a place to write such a fitting tribute.
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JW, that does hurt. My sympathies. May his memory be eternal. George
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The uncle for whom I was named passed away the other day. He was a certified character, always something tickling his funny bone and making him laugh.
I remember begging him to dig out his guitar and play for me. He'd inevitably play "Big, Bad John". Looking back, that is hilarious as all heck to me. I was a sickly, pale, skinny, undersized kid and I know he was singing it with an unvoiced prayer under his breath that I'd grow up to fill out like the man in the song.
He taught me my first cuss words. Bless him, I've made good use of them ever since.
In all likelyhood he also gave me my first slug of beer.
One of my most treasured photos is of him with a great horned owl sitting on his shoulder back in the early 70's. It just showed up at their place and my cousins snared gophers for it all summer. Years later I have a great horned owl that I take care of on a daily basis. I've even snared a gopher or two for her.
A good man even with his flaws and shortcomings.
Sorry for your loss JW.... what treasure of memories he left you............
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Just the memories you shared with us paint a pretty vivid picture of a man who left a lot of good times to be remembered for a lifetime. My condolences.
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I'm sorry to hear of your loss John. I had an uncle the same way, miss him, too.
I moved it down here, thought it was a better spot.
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I'm not feeling a lot of sadness and grief, I am overwhelmed by all the wonderful memories I have of him.
Like the time our two families got together to go fishing and have a picnic. I was pretty young and being the usual youngest child...a pain in the...well, you know. I couldn't get anyone to cast out my baited line on the fishing rod my uncle had just given me, so I tried. It was more like a tomahawk chop and the bait landed at my feet. I mustered up all my gumption and tried even harder the next time. I tried so hard I threw myself end over teakettle into the drink!
I came up mad, scared, and blubbering. He came over and helped me out of the water. He told me that the next time a huge fish swims by, don't try to wrassle it down myself, but that I should call his help and he would come a runnin'! He then laughed and called out to my father, "Hey Bud! This one isn't happy to catch them with a fishing rod, he wants to wrassle 'em!"
Maybe he's the reason why when things go in the drink on me today I always fall back to cracking a smart remark about it. I guess when it comes to coping mechanisms, it's better than swimming to the bottom of a bottle.
Whenever I hear one of my nieces or nephews calls me Uncle John, I look over my shoulder for the one I was named for. Yup, he lives on... in me.
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Thank you for sharing you ole character! Your stories are a nice reminder of those special people in my family who have gone before me.
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sorry for the loss jw , i had 2 uncles pass that tought me alot of things , we keep them alive with stories of all the crazy things they did. uncles are special they get away with teaching you everything your parents would'nt :)
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Ain't gonna try philosophical but to me you don't really have a loss.
You had, and still have , a part of your central being that is uniquely
yours. Just so happens it was/is an uncle you loved and admired.
You always will.
Lane
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uncles are special they get away with teaching you everything your parents would'nt :)
The grief hadn't hit me until I just read this pearl of wisdom. Thank you, Mr. Acker.
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JW,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Your stories of your Uncle inspire me to be come a better Uncle to my two nephews.
Sean
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Thanks for sharing , JW. Brought smiles to my face, and I never even met him.
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Good Stories JW! Sorry for your loss.
I can only hope to be that uncle to my Buddies kids. >:D dp
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Sorry for your loss JW. It sounds like he was a real character. A good uncle can really round out a boy's raising. You were lucky to have him.
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Sorry for you loss JW. sad to loose any but really sad when you loose the good ones.
Pappy
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My condolences, JW . . . Treasure those memories!