Rick was doing what he loved, he was hunting.  He was hunting with a friend Larry.  He had a massive heart attack.  Our hero Larry and the paramedics tried to save him, but the damage was too extensive.  He did not survive in spite of everyones efforts.  He passed on November 29th with a couple people at his side.  He died doing what he loved.  Our loss is unbearable, unimaginable, and he was taken too soon.  But as I sat at the funeral and listened to countless stories about our brother that we never knew, I am glad he was loved so much and that he touched so many lives.

Thank you for loving our brother and please share your stories here so we can keep his memories alive. 

We little knew that day, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death, we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone. For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide. And although we cannot see you, You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.

The Dash by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. 
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash… would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?