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Tribute to One of the Greatest

3469 Views 37 Replies 35 Participants Last post by  bull_head, 
C
Some of you on the board may remember my post a while back about my grandfather. Well it is with a broken heart that I have to tell you all he passed away last night. At least he went peacefully with my mother at his side. For those of you that have or have had loved ones with this terrible disease, my heart goes out to you. I would ask you to pray for my grandmother and my mother but I don't have much faith in God at this moment. I wish you could have all met him for he was one of a kind. I am still in shock as I type this so I apologize if it seems like a rant. I may not be around as much untill I get my head on straight but untill then good luck to all of you. I will still be fishing for my team as I know that is what he would have wanted. I have made many many friends here and I guess right now I just needed to try and get things off my chest. Anyway to those who didn't see it or weren't around at the time here is my original post.


Making Memories

Let me start this post by giving you a little history.My Grandfather who is in his mid 70s has lived his whole life taking care of other people when they needed anything.I couldn't begin to tell you the thousands of times he has given money, food, or a place to live to one of my family members including myself.He has worked every moment of his life up until a few months ago ,a lot of times for less than minimum wage. I have seen him give to others when he didn't have it for himself many many times. My Grandmother has been bed ridden for about ten years now and he also takes care of her and all her needs. Anyway to make a much longer story short he was diagnosed with kidney cancer early this year. By the time they operated to remove a kidney it had spread to his lungs and is inoperable and untreatable with current knowledge.In a couple weeks he goes to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa as a last form of hope.My Grandfather has always loved fishing and the outdoors even though he rarely had time or funds to go.He ran a bait shop out of his home for many many years when I was a kid to help make ends meet. It was called Rays Bait and was open 24 hours a day 7 days a week as I recall.Myself and my brothers used to go nightcrawler hunting and he would pay us for the worms to give us spending money. Sorry for the long post, anyway I took him fishing yesterday evening and we had a great trip. He caught his biggest cat ever along with some other nice ones.At one time we had on a double with one very large fish, no light, and I had already put the net away it was to say the least very exciting for the both of us! I did manage to get a few quick pictures to preserve one of the greatest moments in my life. I hope you all enjoy them and please never take anyone or anything in your life for granted. You never know what tomorrow holds.


In Loving Memory of Ray Hocq

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BIG GEORGE
I remember the post well. I am truely sorry to hear this news. Real special people are few and far between. I'll have a good thought for you and yours.
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fwmud
My heart felt sorrow goes out to you man. It's always hard to lose a loved one.Especialy when you're that close.
I pray your mother fares well and can come to terms with such a great loss.
God bless
keith
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Kutter
Chuck, I am very sorry for your loss.

This might not be the best time to say this, but you are one of the lucky ones. 3/4 my grandparents were dead by the time I was born and the one I did know was a grandmother quite old for me to get to know at that young age. My father was in his 60's when I was born and by the time I grew up enough to want to spend time with him, he had passed away.

By the look on your grandfathers face with that fish, he was really enjoying the time you two had together. I don't know what history you to had with each other, but you do have that moment, at least. You are quite right, "please never take anyone or anything in your life for granted. You never know what tomorrow holds." A death of a close person is always very hard, but inevitable for all of us. The best we can hope for is that we too, will be missed one day.
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TOPS
I know how you feel. I lost my mentor and fishing partner back in the mid-70's, I still tear up when I go to the old home place in Louisiana to fish. :sad:
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D
Sorry to hear of your Grandfathers passing. I remember your post a while back. Thanks for the reminder to not take our loved ones for granted. Great pics brother. You are in my prayers.
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TDawgNOk
Chuck,

Thank you for sharing the memories and pictures of your grandfather. From the pictures it would appear that he was very happy getting to fish with you, and very pleased with his cat. I lost my grandfather in 1995, he and I were very close due to the fact that I did all of his yard work from the time I was 10. He was VERY particular about his yard, and I was there 2-5 days a week working on it for him. After my Grandmother died, he said that he "HAD" to wait and see his last grandchild graduate highschool. I was his last Grandchild and I graduated in 1994. I watched his health begin to fail from the day I graduated, until he died, in Sept. of 1995. For a long time I felt that I was to blame for his passing. Then, one night I was looking through pictures and saw the picture of him and me at my graduation. It was the happiest that I had ever seen him. From then on, I knew that it wasn't my fault, but my privledge to let him complete his "mission" and then to move on to be with our Heavenly Father, and my grandmother.

You mentioned that you don't have much faith in God right now. I will admit, I don't know you that well, and I didn't know your Grandfather. However, from the memories of him that you shared with us, it sounds as if he had a kind soul, and a loving heart. From that, I am sure that your Grandfather has gone home to his Heavenly Father. For whatever reason, this was the time that God had for him to "come home". Don't let the passing of your Grandfather harden your heart, or rock your faith in God. Just take some time to remember your Grandfather, and rejoice that he had a good and loving life. Take time to Thank God that you had time to spend and get to know your Grandfather, and that you were able to take him fishing, that one last time. That your mother was able to be with him at the end, and that he was a happy man. Take those memories of your Grandfather and let them help to guide you through your pain. To come out on the "other side" as the man that your Grandfather will be proud of.

You always have a home here with your Brothers from the BOC. If you need a shoulder to cry on, feel free to send me a PM. I'm here for you Brother.
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E
Chuck, thank you for sharing the wonderful memories of your grandfather. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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dafin
Sorry to hear of the loss of your grandfather. my thoughts and prays for you and yours
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RamRod
Sorry to hear of your loss chuck and thanks for sharing the memories.
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dreamcatcher
Chuck,

Many of us have lost loved ones, but your situation is unique in that it was your grandfather, the person who helped create special memories for you to cherish. Personally, I never experienced the joy of having a grandparent of any kind, as the last of mine left this world when I was barely three. I say this to highlight the fact that I can never tell anyone what it was like to have a grandparent. It's a void that can never be filled, no memories to bring a smile to my face. Some days I wonder what it would of been like to have someone like that in my life, but I'll never know. Though it is difficult now, someday you will look at the times you shared with your grandfather and you'll smile, because you were able to share a quality lifetime together. As for faith, hold fast to yours because it is in times like these that we need it the most. Stay strong, and don't forget about God, because he hasn't forgotten you...Take care brother, and if you ever need someone to chat with I'll always be willing to listen...

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
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D
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Thanks for sharing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. B.G. is right, " Real special people are few and far between.
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loanwizard
I am sorry for your loss Chuck. It is a very hard thing to deal with. Hold on to your faith in God for he is there. As a matter of fact, your Grandpa is there with God right now with no pain, no problems. Right now, although you may not see it, you are in the Fathers arms, one set of footprints in the sand, as he carries you. Let that comfort you in your time of need. Think very hard about what your granfather would want you to do and how he would tell you to respond to this very personal crisis. Let him give you the strength. We are all here but a very short time before we rejoin those that have gone before and rejoice. You and your family are in my prayers.
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Salty
I am very sorry for your loss. I lost a grandfather to cancer when I was 18 and know that it hurts. I pray that in time you will fondly remember the times you were able to share with him.
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canepole
Chuck, Your Grandpaw may have moved on But a big part of him will alway's be with you, You will be doing something and your G/paw may have done it the same way, and you will reflect a old time you all had together
and nobody can take those memories away.

I will keep you and your family in our prayer's,
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T
Sorry to hear the news Chuck. My thoughts are with you and yours at this time.
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safetybass
Chuck, our prayers are with you and your family. I lost my uncle 3 weeks ago to the exact same thing. He had been a surrogate father to me since my father (his brother) passed fifteen years ago. Helped me many times. We will miss them, but we can carry on their ways. I know my uncle wants me to, and I'll bet your grandfather would be pleased knowing you learned from him.
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G
Real special people are few and far between and I do remember the post. I am very sadden to hear of your lost. You and your whole family will be in our hearts and prayers.
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Dreadnaught
I am truely sorry for your loss brother!!!

I too, remember that post on the old board and I have to say He was a one of a kind in your life. I know you will miss him. Just do what I do, Remember the good times you had together with him, and he will always be there with you, just as mine are with me.
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G
Chuck,
My friend words alone cannot express enough what I feel. Your loss cannot be measured on any scale. With that said I'll say I'm sorry for you and yours. Seems inefficient somehow, just know you are in my prayers Buddy! Take care and God Bless
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