Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Deer Season for me has changed forever...

In the morning, at 10 AM CST, a dear friend and hunting buddy will be laid to rest. Died way too young at 63 years of age. I will be doing the service. Tony called me New Year's Eve night to see how I was doing and to try to get me to go hunting the next morning. Having tagged out on bucks, I told him I was probably sleeping in. He told me if I made a "mistake", to send him a text and that someone would help me out of a bind...lol. But, I didn't go. If I had known that I would never get another chance to hunt with him, I would have gone even if I couldn't even take a rifle. He was sick and hadn't told anyone. He had beaten cancer these last 3 years but was still taking maintenance chemo.

His brother and son found him unresponsive in his home the Thursday after New Year's. During the 3 weeks he was in the hospital, he woke up from the coma 1 night, talked to those who were visiting him that night in ICU...knew everyone and was able to respond to all commands by the nurse. The next morning at 10 AM, I was visiting him and he was once again in a coma. The renal doctor came in and told us his kidneys were failing and there was 1 thing he could do to try and get them to "jump start" and if it didn't work, there would be nothing they could do. It didn't work. Four days later he began to have seizures, the next day they started dialysis, and Monday of this week he took his final breath on earth.

I'm not one who sits around and says "he" is with me every time I go in the woods, etc. But I can say, that every time I have gone in the woods hunting these last 8 seasons I always think about my daddy and the hunts we had. I will now think of daddy and Tony. I've only known him for the last 9 years, but he always treated me like we had been lifelong friends. I was never the friend to him that he was to me, and I will always regret that. He always smiled and laughed and never met a stranger. Me, I'm a loner and not outgoing at all. So I'm sad to say that Tony did most of the heavy lifting in our friendship. If I could, I would change that. We never know when our number is going to be called. We must always be ready. But I'm going to miss him, as will many who knew him. He was one of a kind. I'm going to miss him. God bless all of those who have walked this trail before. Thanks for reading...

Hey RUUG,

I know exactly where you are except my friend & hunting pard & I had a 31 year friendship.
He passed Dec ‘17 and it’s not the same for sure. This past deer season I thot of him a lot and wished he had more time with his wife and family.
They ALL hunted together. His wife & their Son both killed bucks out of 1 of his stands. We swapped text pix which was bitter sweet.

It just seems that words can’t fully reach far enuff but we know it’s not the first time and we aren’t the only ones to experience that kind of loss.
My sympathy to you.

Jerry

So sorry for your loss, sir. PM sent.

It's the 1st of February, where did this pollen come from, my eyes are getting all watery. Hang in there.

Thanks guys. It was a tough service for me to do. They had moved it from the church he attended to a larger one just down the road. The extra room was needed. Talking with others, I realized that called a LOT of people to check on them. He was just that kind of guy.

Mr. Jerry-wondering where you've been. Hadn't seen one of your posts lately, but haven't been on here as much lately. Seems my life started moving faster for some reason! Thanks!

Sorry to hear this!!!

Sorry about your friend.

So very sorry to hear about this.

Albeit in retrospect, it appears Tony may have shared a valuable life lesson in doing unto others.

Sorry about your friend, two guys on our lease have had heart attacks in the last year. Both still alive, both younger than me.

He really did. I just pray that I will learn from it. Being a pastor, you have to be "all things to all people" and some times that means the things you want to do, you put on the back burner.

Thanks to all for your kind comments.

Hanco-I had a heart attack when I was 51, 8 years ago this July and had 4 bypass surgery in August of that year. My cardiologist made sure I understood how close to death I was. Her words to my wife was, "Twenty more minutes and he not be here." Life is fragile and we need to learn to live it to the fullest. I have a lot to learn in that regard, while my friend took advantage of the life he was given.

Sorry for your loss.
But will add............I doubt he was doing the heavy lifting in your friendship.
You obviously were two different people to some extent, but that friendship made you equals.
So please don't be so hard on yourself.
He valued you, and you valued him.
It was a blessing.

That is a beautiful tribute. I’m sorry for you loss. You have my heartfelt condolences. I wish you peace.

So sad..

Sorry for your loss.

Condolences, good friends are hard to come by.

KC

I’m sure Ruger. This happens to us all at some point. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think of my buddy Lucas. I’ll raise one for your friend!

Ruger77Shooter: So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and Hunting partner.
I am nearly 72 years of age and sadly have lost several Hunting partners in the past.
Stay strong and remember the good times.
Indeed, carry on - he would want you to.
Again sorry for your loss.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Sorry to hear. Losing best friends is one of the toughest things to endure in life, much the same as losing family......

Thank you all...I know we've all been through it, and if we live long enough it will no doubt happen again. God bless you all...

thoughts prayers and condolences to the family and friends.

Thank you for being his friend!

Live, laugh, love, yesterday is gone, live today, there may not be a tomorrow or even a next breath. Its sobering but real. Quit trying to drive, just ride and let Him drive.