Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Otter on January 11, 2017, 05:19:41 pm

Title: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Otter on January 11, 2017, 05:19:41 pm
I just want to let all who knew and dealed with Clyde that he has passed on...

These are Clyde's last words to his family and friends. He passed quietly and comfortably this aftetnoon at our home in Oklahoma. I know he'll be missed greatly. Bye for now Dad, we love you. Bill & Andrea

If you are reading this,  then my body has died.
It has been a joy to know you and have learned much from you, after all , our Facebook relationship and friendship has not been about me , but rather, it has been  about us.
I'm certain that I'm taking so much more from you than I'm leaving.
I'm leaving this life with so many unanswered  questions,  but I'm leaving without guilt, fear ,
anger,  regret, nor remorse.
This is possible because I've lived one life to it's fullest based on a set of sound principles and beliefs which have been replaced by more sound principles and beliefs as they presented themselves.
I currently believe that I was given a very powerful gift, the absolute freedom to choose for myself in what direction my life goes.
If that is true then God  is not blamed for wherever i end up.
I believe that I am exactly where the sum total of my choices has brought me.
I  believe in planning  (on a daily basis ).
It is not important that I work the plan to its fullest but having a plan prevents me from worrying and indecision about what I'm supposed to be doing next.
Today and so many other days I have LIVED.
That means that I have done the things that I thought I should without regard to what I wanted to do.(If I start a thing wanting to do that thing then I end up doing everything I wanted and getting everything I wanted) .
For the same number of days I've LOVED.
I define that as unconditional sharing,  caring, understanding and forgiving .
I look for the humor in the human existence.
My only rule regarding humor is that it not become an instrument to be used to look good at the expense of others. When it is so easy to edify my brothers and sisters ,why then, would I spend one second of my life trying to destroy thiers ?
One of my daily goals is to be HAPPY.
Happiness is both a choice and the result of
LIVING,  LOVING,  LAUGHING.
I'm hoping this will be enough of me to leave with you .
Some of you do not know what has prompted
this letter from the grave so the Readers digest short version follows.
April 5, 2016 I was diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia type one (high risk)
As I write tonight 01/04/2017 I'm in repid decline.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: osage outlaw on January 11, 2017, 05:53:19 pm
On my very first trip to the Classic I brought my young son with me.  On our walk around the vendor booths we stopped at a booth with leather and other goods.  A friendly gentleman approached us and offered his help.  He was very kind and my son took to him right away.  When we finally walked away to the next vendor I had an armful of leather and my son had a gift from the gentleman.  As we walked around the rest of the weekend my son would often ask if he could go back and talk to the leather guy.  Over the next several years I always looked forward to visiting with Clyde at the Classic and getting another armful of leather.  I watched him talk to other children in the kind way he had talked to my son.  I would see them walk away with a gift and a smile on their face.  My son only met Clyde for 2 days.  That was 6 years ago.  When I return from my Classic trip each year the first thing my son asks is how is the leather guy.  Clyde was a remarkable person.  He has touched more lives than he ever knew. 
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: bowtarist on January 11, 2017, 07:31:21 pm
Nice words Clint. I've thought of Clyde several times over the last year. I missed him last year at the Classic and hoped to see him again. I have several things around the house made from leather I got from Clyde. He will be missed and remembered. Thanks for posting this otter. May you all be at peace. I'm going to go sit outside for a few minutes. dpg AHo
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Otter on January 11, 2017, 07:38:05 pm
I have alot of Clyde's leather and other things as well... Itraded with him ever year I even have a bucket of Flint also... I'm going to miss seeing his big smile.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: mullet on January 11, 2017, 08:12:57 pm
I'm very sorry to hear this. I met Clyde the first trip I made to the Classic and looked forward to seeing him every trip after that. He was truly a man that had fun doing what he did and loved teaching the young ones. My wife is going to be very sad when I tell her of Clyde's passing as they were really close and Clyde always had her a bag of his home made Peanut Brittle when we showed up at the Classic.
My he Rest in Peace.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: osage outlaw on January 11, 2017, 09:22:15 pm
Here is a picture of Clyde and my son.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/DSCN3729.jpg)


Here is another picture of Clyde from a past Classic thread.

(http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=25528.0;attach=45099;image)
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Otter on January 11, 2017, 09:25:59 pm
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y465/ebennett40/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1484181107622_zps9xe7ljip.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/ebennett40/media/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1484181107622_zps9xe7ljip.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Buffalogobbler on January 11, 2017, 11:30:18 pm
Thank you for posting Otter,
And Thank you for the pictures Clint,
 I was'nt sure who had passed, I never knew his name but I had been in his booth before and made a few purchases, every time I was there I got the feeling that I really like this guy.
After reading what Otter posted I know now that besides liking the guy I really respect him and the way he lived his life and I hope that in a small way, when my time comes to meet my maker I can say I lived up to the spirit of those ideals also.

Kevin
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: vinemaplebows on January 11, 2017, 11:53:42 pm
Sounds like he lived life to the fullest...R.I.P.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Pat B on January 11, 2017, 11:58:34 pm
Eddie, I met Clyde about the same time as you and enjoyed seeing him each year at the Classic. I never bought leather from Clyde but looked through his stack each year. Just never found what I needed.  Clyde was a real character and will be missed.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Pappy on January 12, 2017, 09:08:57 am
Sorry I double posted this, didn't see this one. Clyde was our very first vendor for the Classic years ago when we only had 50 or 60 people, he  and his sweet wife would set up on the porch. Miss Joanie and I got to know him very well over the years and a better man you won't find. The only Classic he has missed since the first was last year due to his illness. He did come in for the IBO world last year to visit  for a day and it was very good getting to see him as it has turned out for the last time. We will miss him. :(
 Pappy
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: JEB on January 12, 2017, 09:43:09 am
Very humbling read.  If only everyone could live and act as Clyde wrote.  Anyone know anything about the bottom photo which shows a Viet Nam ribbon  on some wood.  Was Clyde a Viet Nam veteran or was that some thing he put together for someone.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Otter on January 12, 2017, 09:46:24 am
I know he retired from the Navy ... Very well could have been in Veitnam
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Otter on January 12, 2017, 09:51:41 am
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y465/ebennett40/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1484230678150_zps5yh24blw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/ebennett40/media/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1484230678150_zps5yh24blw.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Otter on January 12, 2017, 09:52:30 am
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y465/ebennett40/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1484230685066_zpsrfeqrpjr.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/ebennett40/media/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1484230685066_zpsrfeqrpjr.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Parnell on January 12, 2017, 10:08:13 am
This is very sad news.  Clyde always had a spiritual presence whenever I'd visit with him and made a point of being aware of the energy in his environment.  He certainly was gifted with talking to children.  The medicine bag and points I have that he made will hold a more significant meaning.

My wife Angie will be very sad.  She enjoyed hanging out with Clyde and talking in the tent at The Classic.

Clearly, he lived a very fine life.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: JEB on January 12, 2017, 03:28:49 pm
According to his ribbons on his shirt he was in Viet Nam and a Purple Heart recipient.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: Outbackbob48 on January 12, 2017, 04:36:47 pm
Sorry to here of Clyde passing. I met Clyde maybe 4 yrs  ago at the classic , Was in the knapping pit giving some informative way of slab knapping, I wasn't into slab knapping and didn,t pay enough attention to his way of doing it. :( Next yr he comes over to the pit and was looking at my narrow entry notching tool and wasn't leaving the pit without it, I had a couple extras so we made a trade, Told me to come over and pick out anything that he had at his vendors tent ;D. I picked up a Vietnam campaign pin and stuck it in my hat and said good trade, still have that pin stuck in my hat, I surly had a great trade  and will always remember Clyde. May your journey be an easy one. So long my friend. I sure did miss seeing him at last yrs. classic. Bob
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: mullet on January 12, 2017, 10:20:33 pm
BTTT
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: MulchMaker on January 13, 2017, 06:56:18 am
I Didn't know him, but it looks to me I missed out. So sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: MWirwicki on January 16, 2017, 11:39:03 am
Damn.  Just caught this post.  Reading at work, trying to maintain my composure.

I have many fond memories sitting on a 5 gallon pail next to Clyde late, late at night, trying to learn from him how to make points out of rocks.  Memories of time spent at his booth chatting about really, not much of anything important.  Seems that as long as we laughed, that was the important part.  His was the first booth Miss Heather wanted to visit.  She'd always pick up a set of earrings; I'd get some leather.  I'm really going to miss him.

Damn....
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: paoliguy on January 16, 2017, 12:04:20 pm
After looking at the pictures it just hit me who this was. I only met Mr. Glaskin one time. My son and I were at the IBO Worlds at Twin Oaks when it came a total downpour and storm. MY boy was totally soaked and cold and scared when Mr. Glaskin invited him in for shelter. I remember he gave him a poncho and a necklace. He was so kind to my son, neither of us will forget that brief meeting with this fine gentleman. Sounds like a lot of folks will never forget him. I hope we all have a legacy like that someday.
Title: Re: Tennessee Classic has lost a Brother... Clyde Gaskin
Post by: mullet on January 17, 2017, 08:50:40 pm
After looking at the pictures it just hit me who this was. I only met Mr. Glaskin one time. My son and I were at the IBO Worlds at Twin Oaks when it came a total downpour and storm. MY boy was totally soaked and cold and scared when Mr. Glaskin invited him in for shelter. I remember he gave him a poncho and a necklace. He was so kind to my son, neither of us will forget that brief meeting with this fine gentleman. Sounds like a lot of folks will never forget him. I hope we all have a legacy like that someday.
Damn.  Just caught this post.  Reading at work, trying to maintain my composure.

I have many fond memories sitting on a 5 gallon pail next to Clyde late, late at night, trying to learn from him how to make points out of rocks.  Memories of time spent at his booth chatting about really, not much of anything important.  Seems that as long as we laughed, that was the important part.  His was the first booth Miss Heather wanted to visit.  She'd always pick up a set of earrings; I'd get some leather.  I'm really going to miss him.

You two covered Clyde exactly how I knew him. Never heard him complain, or say anything negative about anyone or anything except once, about knapping obsidian slabs until I handed him a pad for that showed him a different way of doing it and he tried it. Then, you saw that slow, motion smile of his start to unfold. I gave him my pad, had too. :)

Matt, always Kathie's first stop, also, for his Peanut Brittle and a long visit.

Damn....