This past Saturday (March 7th) I was at the bedside of my Dad and held his hand as He went home to be with The Lord; he was 81 years old, a very STRONG Christian man who Loved & served God faithfully; he instilled the love of the outdoors in me and taught me that serving the Lord was the most important thing to do in this life! He loved to hunt & Fish but the Spring Turkey Hunts was always his favorite as he so enjoyed the warmer weather and loved watching nature at its best; he fished on a regular basis; He was married to my Mom for 60 years! loved his family & enjoyed his Grandkids & Great Grandkids to the max!
I had the Honor of preaching his funeral in which was the HARDEST thing I have ever done; a HUGE crowd gathered to pay their respect as he ran his own hardware store for over 52 years in the same spot! the Lives that he touched are way too many to mention & he shared God's Love everyday with the customers that came in.
I am 54 yrs old, love everything outdoors but as I prepared the message for His funeral, I realized just how Blessed I was to have a Dad that was my best friend until the day I married 34 years ago, then Dad became my 2nd best friend; I hope that all who read will see just how important Family is; sharing the Outdoors with them is the most important thing anyone can do
This Spring when your Turkey season comes in, NEVER take for granted those Hunts you share with Dad, Son, Daughter, Grandchildren, or Friends; one never knows when Death will come; I will miss Dad this season in a way I cannot explain but know He will be with me and smile as big as Heaven itself when that 1st Gobble breaks the morning silence.
Thank you all for reading, God Bless and have the BEST Spring season that you could ever have!
Barry James
So sorry for your loss
:cross2: My prayers to you and your family. Thank you for sharing. You're absolutely right in that we should take nothing for granted.
As you stated, your father will be smiling down on you when that first gobble comes this spring. Praying for you and your family during this time of hurt.
im sorry to hear that. its tough losing someone that is close. prayers sent to you and yours.
Sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great man!
Sounds like a life that was worth living. You are blessed to have had such a father.
Sorry for your loss. The bible tells us it's appointed unto man to die. Thankfully your father was a Christian man and he's gone to his reward. Grieving is tough but be mindful he's no longer in this sick world. Go kill a big ol' tom in his name and cherish the memories you had with him.
My condolences to you and your family and I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless.... :cross2: :bible:
Sorry for your loss. It sounds like your dad was a good man. My dad passed away in 2001 and very few days go by that I don't think about him. Time helps heal the pain and you'll be left with good memories. :jesus-cross:
Sorry to hear about your loss, sounds like your dad was an amazing man.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure he will be watching over you this season. Hold on to the memories.
I am so sorry for your loss.
That you had the opportunity to preach at your Fathers funeral is absolutely tremendous.
You where very fortunate to have not only a believing father but a best friend as well.
very sorry for your loss
Sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep you and your family in prayer.
Wonderful testimony regarding your Dad. I know you and your family feel fortunate and grateful for having a father that was a shining example to you all and his community. Barry, we are sorry for your loss. Strutter.
So sorry for your loss. I'm the same age as you, lost my Dad 3 months ago after a long bout with cancer. Wish I could say it gets easier, but it hasn't for me yet. My prayers are with you and your family.
Yes thank you for sharing that. So much truth in what you said. Prayers with you and you're family, an may god bless you all.
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Quote from: Drthorn on March 10, 2015, 02:05:01 PM
Sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great man!
+1 praying for comfort for you & your family...
BGD
You and your family are in our prayers
sorry for your loss
Sorry for your loss
prayers sent to your family from mine in Ms.
Prayers for you brother. I can't imagine what it's like.
I'm sorry for your loss.
well said! I will have a prayer going your way!
So sorry to hear this Barry. Prayers from Batesville to you and your family.
Hi Barry,
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks for the great message you are sending and I wish you the very best this spring. You'll have a special partner with you for sure.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. :mycross:
Sorry to hear it however you have a great perspective. Keep strong.
I've also experienced the loss of my father. I know your pain, but also your joy knowing you'll see him again. God will indeed comfort you in your pain. God bless
His grace is always sufficient as you know and He will sustain you and your family through this. What a comfort in knowing your dad was right with the Lord and now you are looking forward to that great reunion day. Prayers from Mississippi.
My condolences. What a blessing to have had such a man in your life and double blessing that he was your father and best friend.
Sorry for your loss. Dying is part of living and its something we'll all face eventually. Your father was fortunate to have been loved by people who cared and respected him a great deal. I'm happy to hear he helped guide you and others along the path of enjoying & respecting the outdoors. Cherish your father's memory and live each day you get to the fullest, they're not guaranteed.
Jim
Very sorry,prayers sent
Sorry for your loss .
Sorry for your loss. Prayers will be sent for you and your family.
Sorry to hear that you lost your Father :cross2:.
My condolences. Losing a family member hurts and my thoughts will be with you this spring. The turkey woods makes friendships that much better and I know you'll carry his presence with you to the woods. When I was younger, I used to get aggravated at my dad. I knew it all ya know. We would leave too late. He'd call too much/not enough etc... Now I just enjoy having him with me out there. Time moves too fast.
So very sorry for your loss. :cross2: :jesus-cross:
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I lost my Dad 3 years ago on March 19th, the final day of winter. We talked on the phone damn near every day. I still miss him.
My business partner and his father don't seem to have a close relationship. It's not bad, mind you, but they don't seem close. How I wish I could get through to him that you can't get time back. When he's gone, he's gone. Make memories with him now.
I'd give about anything for one more talk with my Dad.
Best of luck,
Greg
Sorry for your loss!!
So sorry for your loss :bible:
Very Sorry!! Prayers for you and your family!
God Bless
Sorry for your loss
Prayers are sent to you & your family Barry.
I am sorry for your loss. I lost my dad as well unexpectedly two years ago on Christmas at only 68 yrs old . I loved and respected him. He as well instilled in me the love for the outdoors. Having gone through the ruckus of life from college to kids and career, hunting got lost in me. When he passed, that fire was lit again in me brighter than ever and it's the time spent alone in the woods when I remember him now the most vividly. . Thank you for sharing with this post and God bless.
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So sorry for your loss
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It's my prayer that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart during this time.
Lifting prayers up to you and your family during this time of grief!
Prayers to your family.
And when God calls you to rejoin with your father, you shall both chase 30 Lb 14" long beards.
Sorry to hear...prayers sent
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So sorry for your loss Barry.
I truly hope the 1st gobble of the year makes you smile and fondly reflect.
Sent from Gobblers Knob, NC
My condolences to you and your family.
I am so sorry sir. I thank God for your dad....that he was a follower of Christ foremost....that he was a Godly husband who took his marriage covenants seriously....that he was a Godly father who took his responsibility given by God to teach, model, and impact his children in ways that are God-honoring....that he was friend to whoever crossed his path. It is said that the measure of a man is not often known while they are alive, but it is rather unmistakeable when they are no longer with us. Your dad was a man of legacy as his life will continue to make an impact. My prayers are with you and your family, especially your mom during the coming days that God will use the memories of your dad to minister to your hearts.
I hate to read of the loss of your Dad. A strong father/son relationship is a bond like no other. But to have been raised by a man that taught you to love God and the outdoors is probably the greatest gift a son could ever ask for, at least for me it has been. My prayers are with yall and I'm sure you'll continue his work well.
2 Corinthians 5:8
Praying for you and your family. Sounds like you were blessed to have a great dad and friend.
I am sorry for your loss...
I hope to outlive my parents, and I pray that my children long outlive me... My father still hunts and fishes with me, and I cannot imagine losing my best hunting partner. I know it will happen, but I still cannot imagine it...
I hope your faith and family help you through these tough times.
I'm sorry for your loss. He will be right there with you this spring.
Barry, I am very sorry to hear of this. I lost my father two and a half years ago, so I know what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. :jesus-cross:
My prayers and sympathy for your loss. I lost my father last year and it has been hard but like you, impressed upon me the importance of living each day fully and loving those still here. Amen. Good hunting!
Sorry for your loss.
Praying for you and your family :mycross: :cross2: :bible:
Thanks for sharing. Your father has earned his reward and congratulations to him because we know that those who live in Christ also die in Christ. He has his reward now in his new home.
You were very lucky to have your father for many years, I was not that fortunate but the few years I had were precious and I learned a great deal.
Peace be with you.
Prayers sent for you and your family during these difficult times.
So sorry for your loss! My dad passed in 2009, he taught me to love and respect the outdoors! It's such a blessing to have had a wonderful father to make so many memories with! Our prayers are with you and your family! God is so good, all the time!
So sorry for your loss! Prayers sent to you and your family.
So sorry to hear about your dad. May God Almighty grant him peace in his eternal life and may He give the patience to you and rest of the family to bear this great loss.
Prayers out to you and all your family.
Sorry to hear of your family's loss....God bless..prayers sent..
God's peace and comfort to you and your family, Barry.
Just now getting the time to be here on OG! there is NO way to say Thank You enough for all your prayers & Condolences; one can own/buy a lot of things in this world, BUT when a group of Men who love & share the same passion for Turkey Hunting, get together and pray for one that is facing difficult times, then there is simply no amount of money that can buy that kind of compassion; as I read through these post, I was reminded how Dad taught me that being concerned for others who are hurting was of up most importance; Dad spent his entire life caring for others and his knees were literally worn out b/c he spent so much time on them praying on behalf of those who were in need.
Thank you everyone again for your concern & prayers; to have my name lifted up in prayer to Almighty God is something that I do not take for granted; it is my hope & prayers that in some way I can return the favor for all here; Dad wouldn't want me to grieve too long as he told me many times in the past that this day would come; he was ready to meet God and I know beyond any doubt that he is having the best time of his life right now and he would definitely tell me if he could that there would be NO WAY he would want to come back.
I will miss him more than I could ever put in words but now it will be necessary for me to continue to live for God to the best of my ability; to continue to tell the good news of God's Amazing Grace through His Son Jesus until the day I cross over; AND when that Time comes for me, it will be only through that Grace that I will be rejoined with Dad where I can probably guess he is getting ready to go on a fishing trip that where the Crappie are spawning through out all eternity!............. :wave:..... :happy0064: