Our parents shape us. We learn from them. They cared for us when we couldn’t care for ourselves, and we care for them when they can’t. If it’s not your blood parents, it’s someone else who fills in.
My Dad died yesterday. He was self employed as the best radio and tv repairman around. The other shops would bring him stuff they couldn’t fix. Most of all, he was a pilot and flight instructor, and taught me how to fly. That was his passion.
“Because I Fly”
I laugh more than other men, I look up and see more than they do. I know how the clouds feel and what it’s like to have the blue sky in my lap, to look down on birds, to feel freedom in a thing called flying. Who else can say their landscape is blue with beautiful light clouds? Who else can say they know where the rainbow starts and where it ends? Who else can say they know the real reason a bird sings? I envy the man that flys because he’s closest to God. I know that is where I’ll be – because I have flown.
Goodbye Dad.
Our condolences to you and your Family…..
Rick j
Very sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great man and the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Larry and family.. my dad had the greatest effect on my life in shaping it and giving me the great values I carried onto my family friend and myself.. I am sure ur dad did the same.a little poem….we feel so sad when those we love are called to live in the home above but they have gone to prepare the way and we will meet them again some happy day for god has told us that nothing can sever a life he created to live on forever so let gods promise soften our sorrow and give new strength for a brighter tomorrow.. all my best
Larry, sorry for your dads passing
Larry,
With all you have been through and you still find a way to make the most out of life with such a positive outlook. You are such an inspiration to myself and our business !! I am so proud to call you my friend ! My deepest condolences and thank you for all you do !!
Larry, sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like he was quite a man.
You have endured a lot lately…godspeed.
Larry,
Sorry for your loss. You have been through a lot lately and you still find a way to inspire others. My condoloences, my friend.
Larry,
I am so sorry to hear the news about your dad’s passing. Thanks for sharing the legacy of a great man.
I am sorry for your loss. I am heading down a dark road with my dad right now who was also a private pilot so this hits very close to home. I also wanted to say that the way you look at and respond to issues in your life is definitely helping others shape their own future responses, you’re a great leader, thank you!
I am sorry for your loss ,I suspect he would have been so very proud of you
Sorry for your families loss.
Larry
Sorry for your loss
It is obvious that your Dad was a risk taker and an adventurer in life and passed that on
Thanks to him for creating such an amazing legacy in you and the rest of the family, and thanks to you for sharing his story. Keep flying
I am so happy you had such a great time with your dad What fond memories you can bring to mind and pass on Thanks for sharing with us this morning Thinking of you and your family today
Larry & Family, so sorry for your loss. Prayers from Wisconsin.
Larry, I am so sorry for you and your families loss. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you BIG HUGS
My Condolences for your loss.
Larry you and your family have been through a lot lately just keep going and keep staying positive!
Larry,
My sympathy on the loss of your dad. Your outlook on the curveballs of life are inspiring to all.
Larry,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in these difficult times.
Rick Card
What a heartfelt memorial!!
You truly are an inspiration. Thank you for being such a great influence and making the world a better place. Our heartfelt condolences from down here in Texas.
very sorry about your loss. keep inspiring us, your readers, as I’m sure your father will continue to influence your outlook and obvious care for others. We’ve all been there and some of us still are. That’s life?
Dear Larry and Family, my heart is with you…losing a Father is so hard…you always wish he was still here sharing your family life…but I’m sure he is in heaven and will be sending you love and inspiration…just look and you will see him…
Larry and Family,
Sorry for your loss.
Sounds like he is now up where he enjoyed spending his time. Remember to celebrate his life, and not to mourn the loss!
Larry, I’m so glad you had a wonderful father that you can keep celebrating and honoring through the way the live your life. My heart and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. The way you’ve kept pouring into others lives during all of this is a bigger encouragement than you know. I just received some of the hardest news of my life–thanks for being an inspiration.
larry, Im certain that your dad is very very proud of you! Im sure he looks at you with pride on his chest! and he is smiling upon you now! your very lucky to have a wonderful father to reflect on! Stay strong! You made a profound impact on me the week I spent with you at your organization, and at your Motocross Camp! Thanks for being an Inspiration Larry!
Larry, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. You have had a lot to deal with lately already. Psalms 34:18
Larry,
We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Larry for always being there for us. Despite the obstacles you carry through and give us our daily dose of confidence.
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family right now. You have been given a lot to burden, it’s a good thing your shoulders are strong. You are an inspiration and make me gripe less about my own life. 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. What a great career your dad must have had. There are so few of his types left in the world. You weren’t kidding when you said “God doesnt give us more than we can handle.” Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Larry,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad, I’m sure, is so very proud of you. Now he will be able to watch down from the heavens and see what you do everyday. My Dad died a few years ago and it was very hard. After thinking about the fact that he now gets to spend all day and all night watching over me helped ease the pain. So keep that in mind going forward, that your Dad is now watching you all the time. Seeing you perform all the great things you do and sharing with you those moments that he may not have been able to see before. He will continue to inspire you as you have for so many of the people around you.
Larry,
Some times in life as you know, when it rains it pours. I’m quite sure heavy downpours in the past have been far more uplifting and profitable than the storms you’re having to ride through right now. I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. I feel for you brother ! I lost my Dad, my mentor and my best friend 8 years ago in the middle of almost losing my business to the drought and economy, and in the middle of my separation to teresa and ultimately the loss of my marriage.
You are a man of incredible strength , courage and a tenacity. You have not only been a great friend and mentor to me but and a great source of strength and an example by which I have followed. You have helped remind me what life is all about and how to stay or get back on the better side of ALL life has to offer. Thank you for that !!
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family through these tough times.
Thanks for being you and such a big infleunce and source of strength and guidance to me and ALL the people you touch.
Hang in there and I’ll see you in August
My condolences Larry. Today’s column is a great tribute to your Dad.
I am sorry for your loss.He has created something great. You.
Well said Larry, so what you are saying is there is another bright star in the sky, another rainbow maker, another Angel in the sky shine on us with your Dad’s name on it.
We are happy for them, and sad for us when our loved ones experience their final promotion home to be with God. My condolences to you and your family. xoxo
Larry…so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Your thoughts today were beautiful and I am sure that your Dad is quite proud of the Son, Husband and Dad that you are. I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this very sad time.
Your dad is flying over all of us. My condolences go out to you and your family. God Bless!
Dear Larry,
My prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times. I am sure you have made your father extremely proud by the way you live your life. He was obviously a great man to inspire you to be the man you are today.
Love and blessings to you always,
Roxanne
Larry and family;
Condolences to you! Love the poem and I am sure that your Dad is flying free now. Your memories will keep you long past the sorrow stage. Take care- my prayers are with you!
Larry,
So sorry to hear. Our thoughts and condolences to you and your entire family.
Jim Moon
It is always sad when a loved one passes. One of the comforts we have is our memories. Some memories seem as if he is right beside me, and I believe many times he is.
I am so grateful for an understanding and belief of everlasting life where we will be able to see and associate with our loved ones again.
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your father. This is a beautiful tribute to your father. Wishing you and your family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Dear Larry,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. I believe that we reflect, at least to some extent, our parents (or those that raised us), and from knowing you a little, I’m sorry I never had a chance to meet your father.
Flight has long been a passion of mine, though still unfulfilled, and your poem strikes a deep chord.
Hope you and your family find solace and relief from the wisdom and strength your dad shared with you.
Janik
Sorry for the loss of your dad! God Bless you my friend!
Larry…my condolences to you and your family during these very trying times. Praying for you all!
WOW! I guess things come in bunches. You and your family are due for the opposite for a while. So sorry for your loss! My dad is 84 and think about when might the last time I see him is.
My condolences on the passing of your dad. So sorry to hear but happy to know what he taught you.
God Bless
What a lovely tribute to Roger, your Dad, my brother. About a month ago, I found a wonderful picture of Roger and me- standing in front of the ocean, and I have my arms wrapped around his waist in a big bear hug. We are both facing the camera. This reminds me of our childhood, and the “mothering” I did for Roger in his younger years. Including him in play, (sometimes he had to be the dog when we played house); taking him to the store to buy candy for him; helping him with school work. His talents became evident before very long, and he was always tinkering with something mechanical, electronic, or gadget-like. Now, when I look at that picture, I imagine that my arms are still around him, wherever he is. That’s what big sisters are for.
Larry,
I am sorry for the loss of your dad.
Sounds like a great man. I am sure
that he was and is very proud of you.
God’s Peace,
Steve
My deepest condolences to you and your family during these very difficult time.
What wonderful memories he left you with.
Praying for you all!
I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss. It is never easy.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us.Your Dad raised a very fine Man.
My heart goes out to you and your family, Larry…May God bless and keep you, make His face to shine upon you…and give you Peace.
Larry you and your family have had to deal with a lot lately. Our prayer group in Orange Virginia has been praying for all of you. Our God doesn’t promise us all good times but he does promise to hold us close during those tough times.
Larry I am so sorry for your loss !! Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers !!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are all thinking of you here in WI.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during these recent trying times.
Larry, So Sorry to here the news about your Dad you and your family are going through a trying time. My family and my work family express our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Larry, I am so sorry to hear about your lost but you have the memories and the great respect to carry with you the rest of your life. I lost my Dad several years ago and he was a Mr. Fix It as well. He could even fix life as far as I was concern. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You Dad left a very good legacy through you and your talents. May God Bless.
Beautiful tribute to your Dad Larry. He was so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments. He loved you and all of his family very much. We will all meet with him again one day. Sending my love and hugs to you.
So sorry for your loss ,your dad seemed like a great dad,so sorry for all your family is going through,just know you have friends who care and we are here for you…..just let us know how we can help….
Man, Larry — two hits in a row. I’m very sorry to hear this, especially when it did. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family.
Everything I ever learned about being a father came from my father. Sorry to hear about your loss. He was obviously quite an inspiration.
I love the story about you flying your dads special plane for the first time. I would say that I am sorry for your loss if I believed that you really lost him. Our loved ones always stay with us even if they are in a different field watching over us and helping. They live through us.