The Greatest Man 12/16/1917-4/21/2006

[Troutinator]

I wanted to introduce to you all one of the greatest men I know. This was my father, who now works with Jesus. As I come upon the first anniversary of his passing to be with the lord, I can't stop thinking of what this picture meant to me. This was the first time that my father ever took me fishing, on Canton Lake in Illinois. I do this post in honor of him, who always took the time to be there for me. You see he was the father that didn't have to be, he was a father that wanted to be. As I look upon my life, and know how his influence was and still is with me, and I thank him for the morals he gave to me. He instilled in me a love of fishing, of catching that first bluegill, and of catching those I do today. I wanted you all to meet that man who passed a year ago April 21. As April 20th was the last time I spoke to him letting him know that the love of my life and I had set the date. That night I knew how much he was relieved to know that his son was going to be taken care of.
A year and a half prior he rededicated his life to Christ and was re-baptized. The last night I spoke to him he had so much trouble getting to the phone, that after I hung up I prayed this prayer:
"Lord you always told us that you would not give us or put us through anything we could not handle, Lord Dad is suffering, Please don't make him bear anymore than he can handle. If it is his time to be with you then please free him from his suffering."
And so the Lord took him to heaven that night.
As I sit here thinking of the lives lost in Virginia, all I hope and pray for is that they had a father who was there for them, and that they know him as their Lord and Savior.
thanks for reading and God Bless all of you and those who are lost.
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[Jumptrout51]

Troutinator. A good testimonial.

[mjsigns]

Great testimony of a Great Father

WTG JR

[dolphinatic]

Thanks for taking the time to put a few things into perspective. Some of my fondest memories with my dad also have to do with fishing. You really dont learn to appreciate those "little" things till later in life when it has come time for you to switch places and now be the dad. I was fortunate to also have a grandma (dad's mom) that did the same things with us boys. She would help dig for worms, bait the hooks and help us drag the washtub full of fish back to the house . I'm also glad my boys got to experience the same thing with "G.G" while she could still do it. We lost her last January, but thank God, dad is still here and the memories can continue to be made.....along with the famous stories

Sounds like your dad was a great man and that you have done him proud

[fishful_thinkin]

Sounds like your dad did a fine job raising you
very good read.

[dawghouse1]

Troutinator it sounds like your dad was truely a great man. If everyone had a dad like yours and mine we wouldn't have all of this BS going on in world today. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me I need to take my dad fishing.

[GoneFishin]

great ride Trout and I wish more people had dads like ours, sounds like you had a dang good one....I couldnt agree with you more Dawghouse.

[FUTCHCAIRO]

HEY TROUTINATOR, THAT IS GREAT THAT YOU HONOR YOUR FATHER LIKE THAT, I JUST HOPE THAT MY CHILDREN REMEMBER ME IN THE SAME WAY.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

[SHOWBOAT]

Helps put the recent opportunity I had to fish the Keaton tournament with my old man in perspective. Doesn't happen all that much since we live a thousand miles apart now.

Great testimonial to a great man Troutinator.

[rocket]

sounds like a great man for sure