The Cemeteries are full of indispensible men

[Spock]

I have always taken that saying as meaning that no one is indispensible (no matter if they think they are).

However, the recent death of a good friend leaves about as big a hole in the community (to say nothing of his family) as it is possible to leave. The suddenness of an accident just leaves you gasping.

http://www.echopress.com/sports/4087198 ... its-go-guy

Li'l Spock is really good(best) friends with Pat's oldest son. Pat was 4 years younger than me in school-so I knew who he was, but that was about it.

I have been thankful many times over the years (and I told his wife this on Sunday) that we had kids the same age-so that I got to know Pat and his family.

Pat lost an arm in a farm accident when he was 10, but he was a 3-sport athlete and coached and so forth over the years. A friend who worked for his family told how Pat would get mad when his dad tried to coddle him because of the arm-he definitely did not let that define him.

[BackInTex]

I'm sorry for your and your community's loss. He sounds like a good man.

[ghostjmf]

Sorry for your & his family's loss.

[Spock]

There were about 1,000 people at the evening visitation, plus the church sanctuary and secondary rooms with TV screens were absolutely packed on Friday Morning.

The crowds were fed by the normal large crowd that a 45 year old family man would get after a lifetime in a small town/rural area. Plus he had the school connection-Loved by students for many years now-plus, he was an Activity Director and Coach-so many from other towns knew him as well.