Homage to my Best Friend

[chilerelleno]

R.I.P.
Condolences

 

[Steve H]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[DRKsmoking]

That is sad news. Even if knowing it still hurts when the time comes.
Like said above, friendship is two sided. You meant the world to him also.
Remember him as he would you.

David

 

[gmc2003]

My condolences Mike. It's tough knowing he's not going to be there anymore. I experienced a similar situation back in 1990. First my father passed away a month before my daughter was born. Then a few months later my best friend died of Leukemia. Needless to say I spent a lot of time in the hospital that year. Reflect on the good times and don't dwell on the bad.

Chris

 

[mneeley490]

My condolences Mike. It's tough knowing he's not going to be there anymore. I experienced a similar situation back in 1990. First my father passed away a month before my daughter was born. Then a few months later my best friend died of Leukemia. Needless to say I spent a lot of time in the hospital that year. Reflect on the good times and don't dwell on the bad.

Chris

Small world. John contracted a form of Leukemia about 20 years ago, and beat it. We thought that was a miracle. At least it did give him another 20 years.
My daughter was also born in 1990.

 

[mneeley490]

That stinks.
John Lee sounds like a great guy, and he might surprise you when passing through the veil to the other side… his gas grilling might be heavenly, and he might shame you!

One thing he was not, was patient. Couldn't do delayed gratification at all. That's why he almost always used gas. Also why I only took him fishing once.
He couldn't hold onto a wine to let it age at all (I have a cellar for that. His wife would hand me bottles that needed more age, and I'd bring them back in a couple years.), and he could never save a good bourbon for a special occasion. He preferred to drink it right away. And in retrospect, maybe he was right to do so.

 

[daspyknows]

Sorry for your loss. Parkinsons is a nasty way to go.

 

[ronf]

That's a long time friendship. I know it has to be hard. My condolences

 

[forktender]

Met my best friend, John Lee, when we were in 2nd grade, about 55 years ago.
He passed away (too young at 62) on April 7th, of Parkinson's Disease. I was able to say my good-byes the day before.
He would have fit in here very well. He loved bourbon, cigars, and BBQ. And most of all, people. We visited Louisville twice, doing the Bourbon Trail, and had many adventures together.

View attachment 695180
Of course I gave him the business for using a gas grill.

Damn, that really sucks, although I'm glad you had each other's friendship.

Tough to lose a friend at any age, harder when they are as young as he was.
Parkinson's is brutal, sorry bud.

 

[mneeley490]

His memorial is today. I have a short speech prepared, but I doubt I'll be able to get through it without choking up. Fortunately, as a backup, another friend (who is more tech adept than me) agreed to put together a slide-show of pics with this song playing in the background.

 

[Fueling Around]

Good song.
Long live the memory of John Lee among your circle. Leave the empty chair.