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Callico

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Author of "Stranded at
Romson's Lodge

Posts: 4916
Aurora IL
Gender: male

Saying goodbye to a friend
Jul 7^th, 2009 at 10:55pm

I just left the home of one of my very best friends. We were partners in three businesses in a former life, and still remained good friends.

About 5 yrs ago he came down with a rare form of pancreatic cancer that was very aggressive. It quickly spread to his stomach, and they gave him 5 mos to a year to live. They tried a radical new surgery in which they removed half of the pancreas and a portion of the stomach. It required about 3 hours of very intricate work to reroute the plumbing and tie it all back together and make it work. After 6 months of therapy and treatment he underwent chemo. It took about a year for him to bounce back, but he went back to work and lived life to the fullest.

About 6 months ago he found a lump on his rib that appeared over a weekend. The cancer had returned with a vengence after morphing. Yesterday his wife called me and said hospice had given him 2-3 days. I talked with him for about 15 mins on the phone last night and was able to maintain a good conversation, but when I went by today to say goodbye he had really gone downhill quickly. He knew I was there, but that was about all there was to it.

Larry is one of the most brilliant men I know. He worked as a consulting engineer for most of his career, and has a number of patents for things he developed that he never got a nickel for. If you ever rode a McDonnel Douglas MD80 or MD90 and it had air conditioning you can thank Larry. After over a year and several multi-thousand dollar "fixes" for the AC system on the planes he was brought in to trouble shoot it, and fixed it for $1.98! Grin

Everyone else was looking for a complicated fix and he found the problem was simply the lubricant on a valve was gelling at altitude. He used another off the shelf lube and it worked.

Sorry I'm going on so long about him, but I need to get it out.

Larry is a strong Christian, and knows he is ready to die, so is not afraid. If anything, I'm jealous! I have comfort knowing I'll see him again someday, but it sure will be lonely until then.

I'm not looking for sympathy, but if you pray, would you please remember his wife Virginia in the next few days? I know none of you know them, but you are family and I wanted to share it with you.

Jerry

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"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of dung by the clean end." Texas A&M Student (unknown)

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Melissa CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't give up! Posts: 7238 Central WI, USA Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #1 - Jul 7^th, 2009 at 11:02pm Sure thing Jerry. Hugs
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Jimi CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't feed the moderators Posts: 4925 Madisonville, KY Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #2 - Jul 7^th, 2009 at 11:10pm Quote: Sorry I'm going on so long about him, but I need to get it out. You never need to apologize for venting on here. We all need to do that from time to time and we understand. I will be lifting his family up during this time.
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barry_sword CH.com Alumnus Offline Mountain Biking Keeps Me Sane Posts: 3947 Bracebridge, Canada Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #3 - Jul 7^th, 2009 at 11:14pm So sorry Jerry
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Charlie CH.com Alumnus Offline Happy to be here Posts: 18971 Jamestown, NY Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #4 - Jul 7^th, 2009 at 11:35pm Sorry for the circumstances but a very nice post.Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or Charlie
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QnHeartMM CH.com Sponsor Offline I AM a Phoenix! Posts: 1783 San Diego, CA Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #5 - Jul 7^th, 2009 at 11:38pm Beautiful tribute to your friend Jerry and as I fly around the country on those MD planes I shall surely remember him. Christy
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Karla CH.com Alumnus Offline One of Many and Never Alone - Join OUCH Posts: 3837 x1\|Madison WI USA Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #6 - Jul 7^th, 2009 at 11:48pm Sorry for your loss Jerry. I will pray for Virginia.
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jon019

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"Ya gotta believe!"

Posts: 1656
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Re: Saying goodbye to a friend
Reply #7 - Jul 8^th, 2009 at 1:20am

Thank you Jerry..you continually inspire me with your wonderfully worded tributes to the unsung yet vital brothers and sisters we've never met, or even heard of....and you bring them to life.

The news is full of those who are sometimes (sadly) exhalted, while heroes lie forgotten in their graves...

My prayers, ABSOLUTELY...

Best,

Jon

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The LARGE print giveth....and the small print taketh away. Tom Waits

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Jackie CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Go For It!!! Posts: 5903 Goshen, IN Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #8 - Jul 8^th, 2009 at 6:22am I'm so sorry, Jerry. Prayers for your friend, his wife, you and all who know and love him. Much Love, Jackie
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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #9 - Jul 8^th, 2009 at 7:09am It truly is a blessing when we are afforded the opportunity to say goodbye. All of Larry's family and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers.
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Lefty CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 759 Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #10 - Jul 8^th, 2009 at 7:41am Jerry it's comforting that you got to talk to your friend for 15 mins. will definitely keep his wife Virginia in our prayers. Lefty..
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midwestbeth CH.com Sponsor Offline Posts: 1123 Edwardsville, IL Gender:	Re: Saying goodbye to a friend Reply #11 - Jul 8^th, 2009 at 10:03am So sorry to hear about your friend Jerry. I will keep Virginia in my prayers.
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