Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Muddywaters crossed over the river today

My father, whom many of you may remember as Muddywaters here at the fire, passed away peacefully today. He would have been 86 next month.

Failing health and vision made it impossible for him to use a computer several years ago and his health had been in decline. My mother was with him when he died. I will be headed up to OKC tomorrow.

He was a child of the depression, born in 1926 on a hardscrabble half section on the Salt Fork of the Brazos in Haskell County, Texas. Joined the Navy fresh out of high school at 17....I found the permission paper his father signed to let him join while I was going through his papers last year.

Stationed on Espritu Santo during the Solomons campaigns, then on a big ASG hauling in crippled ships, first to Espritu Santo or Australia, then to the new base at Ulithi. They dragged one of the big floating dry docks up there all the way from Australia, pestered by Japanese air as they chugged along at six knots for thousands of miles.

Went to A&M on the GI Bill, worked as a geologist at Standard of Texas, which became part of Chevron, till he retired in 1980 to start his own exploration company. Retired from that seven years later and had been living in Oklahoma City since then.

He was my hero...taught me to hunt, fish, reload, and how a man is supposed to behave. He was patient, wise, and one of the kindest men I've ever known. Much loved by my children.

For those who do such things, I would appreciate prayers for my mother...they were married almost 60 years and this is very hard for her.

I'm truly sorry to hear that, Steve.

My father passed in '86.

It takes a while before anything feels normal again,...but it will.

You know you have them friend Steve. Sounds like a good man and a life well lived.

thanks, B. I appreciate it. I'm just kind of numb right now.

Prayers for you and your family. Should we all live so well.

I'm very sorry to hear that Steve. He sounds like a wonderful man and a GREAT American. I'll be keeping you, your family and most especially your Mom in my prayers.

May he rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord.

My condolences Steve and prayers for you and your mother.

condolences Steve.

Steve prayer's sent for you and your family..

Sounds like a well lived life. My condolences.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.

Sorry to hear that Steve. Hope you and your family can remember the good times. That always helps me with a loss like this.

Will

Sorry for your loss Steve. Your Mother has whatever juju I can muster.

Certainly a Dad that any man would have been proud to have and to know. Please accept my sincerest condolences. God rest his soul.

My deepest condolences and prayers for you Mother and family.

Bill

Steve,

Sorry for your loss sir.

I know it won't make you feel a whole lot better but my father has been gone for almost 15yrs. now, I am currently 36. Some folks don't even get the 21yrs. I had with mine. The point being, try to be thankful for the time you did have with him and keep his memory alive.

Sorry to hear of that. My condolences.

thanks, everyone, and yes....I am grateful that I had him for as long as I did. I probably shouldn't feel so lost at my age, but he's always been there, and it's hard to absorb that now he's not.

Steve_NO,

My condolences for you and yours. I hope a new child is born to one in your family to mitigate the loss of someone so loved.

We thank him for his service.

I have already prayed for her and in fact your whole family.

Steve,
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
Sounds like he was a very good man.

Prayers for your family said, sir.