DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Cousin died

My dad called. Told me. My cousin was only 2 years older than me. Died, working on a combine. They think heart attack, but an autopsy is scheduled. Doesn't much matter, does it?

He was a gruff, ornery guy, with the heart of an angel. And one of my best friends. I still can't wrap my head around this.

He was also the guy with the huge heart, who'd drop everything if you needed help. Literally would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

Our freezer quit a number of years ago. Wife had just spent $200 on meat, and I had just harvested a deer a few weeks before. He, without me asking, brought over a load of his venison since all our meat was spoiled.

We had a flooded house about 10 years ago. He, and his wife, came over and helped us move the furniture out. Then, a month later when the house was all back together, I called him to see if he could help me move stuff back in the house. He canceled his plans and came over.

Lived just a mile from us, by golf cart or 4 wheeler. Wife and I would go over to his place several times a week. He towed us home a time or 2 as well when our golf cart quit.

Just 2 weeks ago, he helped me sight in a rifle. I jokingly, over the years, called him "grizzly Adams" as he was most comfortable out in the woods hunting, or on a lake fishing. He knew every animal track there was. We talked on the phone a lot. And I mean a lot.

Sometimes he'd just pop in at our place and we could shoot the bull for hours. Kindest, roughest looking guy around, but he knew everybody. Had permission to hunt in more places than I knew. 1 child, and 2 step kids.

He was the grandpa every kid would want. Had a soft heart like mine. (must be in our genes?) Knew how to fix a lot of stuff, and if he didn't know how, he knew someone that did.

Too young to die. When I told my wife, she just grabbed her head and said "NO!"

He was a farmer, but not big. Only had 100 acres or so, and he leased that out. He worked for a huge farmer as his full time job.

I am sorry for your loss. I pray that God will give you and your family peace and comfort.

Sorry for your loss Arch. You and the family are in my prayers.

Sorry to hear that Arch. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Just goes to show, you never know. We best use the time we have with family as best we can.

So sorry to hear this news arch. The deaths of those we love is one of the, if not the most painful experiences in life.

My best wishes and condolences to you, your family, his friends, family and relatives. It sounds as if you lost a good one far too soon.

Man Arch, really sorry to hear this. I hope you can find some comfort in the great times you shared together. At the end of it all, that's all we ever had anyway. Sounds like a bunch in your family will follow his example of selflessness, so he left a great mark in a short time. R.I.P.