Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend

   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #61  
I'm not fond of funerals, but I have to say I'm very glad to have attended. Mike has a loving family.

It was good seeing the TBN crew. You guys and gals are great people. Really, really good people.
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #62  
I'm posting some photos of the trip from the funeral home to the cemetery.

In one you will see oncoming traffic pulled over for this long line of cars escorting Mike's body to its final resting place. That's common here in Texas, it's like it was when I was a kid in Arizona, something you just did.

Then we got onto a major two lane each way oncoming didn't pull over but those going our way didn't pass us either. The graveyard is right on the highway.

When the services were over we retired to a Mexican restaurant a couple of miles back down the road. The sheriff escort blocked traffic both directions while we moved from the graveyard to the crossover and then headed back the other direction.

It was humbling and very impressive.
 

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   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #63  
The first photo I would like you to look at is the State of Texas Historical Marker for the cemetery. The next ones are of the graveyard itself, please note all of the simple stone markers, once again very humbling.

Mike was a Veteran and the local honor guard was awesome.

And yes, someone in the family wanted to make sure TBN was included in the ceremony, again humbling and appreciated.

I probably shouldn't have done it but it is something Mike would have appreciated I'm sure. Mike was a New Holland/Ford man.
 

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   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #64  
I'm 67 years old. I've been to a lot of funerals in those years. Mikes ranks right up there in the top two or three. It was very emotional listening to the kids and grandkids tell stories about their dad/grandpa.

But when we got to the restaurant it was a true celebration of a life lived loud and proud. I know some of you might find it hard to believe, but, Mike, well, Mike put all of the letters in capitals when it came to being a CHARACTER. I'm sitting here with a smile on my face recalling some of those stories. I'm one of those weirdos that believe that when we're gone all that is left is the memories and man oh man, Mike left them some of the best.
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #65  
I rotated the historical marker photo. Thanks for posting the pictures.

marker1.jpg
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #66  
Lots of good people on TBN and this is what makes it a special place...
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #67  
Harv,
Thanks for posting the photos. You caught my RED dually pulling up in the 2nd photo of post #62. I was really taken by the beautiful, large cedars at the cemetery. Mike picked a good place to rest. The hay field, across the highway, with rolled bales ready to get out of the field was impressive also.
hugs, Brandi
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #68  
Harv, thanks for posting pictures of the service. Sure wish we could have been there to give our last respects.
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend
  • Thread Starter
#69  
Yes, I'm also sorry we couldn't be there.
 
   / Tractorbynet Lost a Member and Many of Us Lost a Good Friend #70  
At the Dinner, after the funeral, Bernice asked the guest to introduce themselves. Each did telling how they met Mike and a little about Mike. The room had 4 separate groups that were connected to Mike: Family, Neighbors, Work (NOAH), and TBN. Through all the stories everyone could relate "Yep, that's exactly Mike."

When Mike's ex-boss talked I knew exactly what he was talking about when he said "Mike did not need supervision, just tell him what needed to be done and stand back."

Mike's family loving laughed about the life lessons they all learned, about working hard and helping people. Mike made a lasting impression on many people that will be passed on and make the world a better place to live.

We had a close tight group there from TBN: Harvey, Glenda, Kyle, Kathy, Scott, Brandi, Karen and myself. Bernice put Mikes's TBN tractor rock, that Harvey made for our get-together bridge project at the grave site. (see Harvey's pic above).
Here's a pic of the rocks in my FEL before we passed them out many years ago.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/projects/30770d1102291964-bridge-atv-541617-memston-jpg

Harvey, Bernice's gate is fixed. :thumbsup:
 
 
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