Folks, I got the news today that a true friend has passed.

We grew up together. We both had the love for the outdoors. We hunted and fished with each other often. Back when we were 16 we were fishing in his v hull aluminum boat and it was getting dark. He told me to crank the motor while he made one last cast. As soon as I pulled the handle the motor took off. We sunk that boat. I thought his dad was going to kill us.

I remember once he had been bow hunting for weeks as hard as anyone has ever hunted but he could never seal the deal. He took me to his club and 45 minutes later I had killed a very nice 6 point. He was pissed. To say he was competitive would be an understatement of the year.

The only time I've been in real trouble was with him. We were drinking under age at a bar in college when a cop saw us and arrested us. I'll never forget him flexing like hulk hogan in his mugshot. He was the life of that jail cell that 12 hours we had to stay... It's a night that I'll always hope my children will never hear of.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the first time he had been to jail. In fact he had a real problem. He wasn't the type that could drink a beer at supper. I'm convinced he was born an alcoholic. He had 3 DUI last I heard. It was his drinking that I had to seperate myself from him.

I last saw him the Christmas of 2011. He told me of his legal troubles then. He was likely going to be sentenced to prison although he said he wasn't going to go.

I hadn't talked to him since. I assumed he was in prison. I changed jobs and phones and lost his number. I was afraid to call his parents because it may upset them to say he was in prison. I've searched the phone book several times for him, looked on Facebook, even browsed court records but never found word of him. Today I found out that he took his life on January 27th, 2012. His parents didn't know how to contact me.

Im beyond embarrassed that it has been over 2 and a half years since he died and I didn't even know it, although deep down I realized it was a possibility. I'm mad at myself for not calling him more and following up with him. I knew he was in trouble. Ultimately, I don't know I could have done anything for him. He probably needed more help than I could have given him but I'm very upset that I wasn't there in his biggest time of need. He struggled greatly with alcohol, but deep down he was extremely smart, caring, and true friend.

Folks, pick up the phone and call your old friends. Schedule a hunt with them this year. You will never know when it will be your last chance.

Good read Reb....sorry to hear about your friend...

I'm very, very saddened to hear of the loss of your friend.

Prayers for peace for you and your friend's family.

Hate to hear that Brad. Praying for you and his family.

Sorry about that

May our Heavenly Father provide you with that perfect peace that passes all understanding. Prayers going up for you and I am sorry for your loss.

Definitely puts things in perspective and makes clear what's really important.

Sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry that you lost your friend and I know how bad it hurts. I have a similar story but the pain from cancer was what forced my friend to pull the trigger January the 2nd of this year. I hadn't talked to him in a long time. We used to fish together a lot. Rode old backroads until the wee hours just drinking and talking. Last year just before Christmas he was on my mind and I didn't call. Then on New Year's day he was on my mind and I didn't call. The next day he was dead. I didn't even know he was sick. I damn sure hurts to know I missed all those chances to have the one conversation that might have made a difference. RIP Mark Harris.

Praying for the Lord to comfort you and give you understanding in some way. God Bless.

Prayers for you reb and Wiley. Reminds me of a song I used to listen to all the time. Y'all should look it up. The Call by Matt Kennon

Hate to hear that. There are probably a lot of us that have a story something like this that we are not proud of. I know I have one, but I know I took the right path years ago as you did with the distancing. Its not your fault, hold your head up and just know that some folks are just wired different.

Good post, Brad. I'm sorry about your friend.

I am so sorry for your loss! I am sure We all have a situation that we wish we could go back and hopefully change the outcome but we have to have faith in God's plan. Cherish the good times and learn from the bad times!

I agree Yek. Good post Reb. I have a similiar story with a different ending. Same type of best friend with that alcohol gene. He was one of my 2 best freinds that I would have stepped out in front of a truck for. He screwed me out of a lot of money and I hadnt talked to him in over 10yrs. 2 weeks ago I heard his dad had died. I felt a tugging to go so I changed some plans and went. Of course he's the first person I see. He's aged drastically due to time in jail and drugs. Part of me forgave him that day as I had written off the money years ago. But it was good to see him and not be mad at him. We will never be near as close as before but if I can give him some motivation when he's about to step in the wrong direction, I will gladly take that phone call or drive.

Prayers for comfort lifted.

Prayers lifted for all.

What a great reminder reb. I have some people I should reach out too. I am sorry for your loss.

Great post. Very sorry about your friend.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend Brad. Prayers sent for his friends and family.

Sorry for your loss.

sometimes a simple phone call can make a difference.

I have a friend that I grew up with, couple years younger, but hunted and fished with me and my brothers all the time. I lost contact with him in college, and over the next ten years. One day his mother called me....said he was in prison for drugs. Asked if he could use his phone privileges to call me. None of our old friends wanted to talk to him, him in prison and all. I said sure, no problem.

Over the next year or so he called half dozen times. We just talked about old times and guy stuff. Really couldn't tell if it helped or not. I talked with him a few times after he got out of prison. I moved back to Jefferson Co in 1992, ran into him in 1994 when he moved into an apartment across the street from me. He had changed...a LOT. VERY intense. Not much talking. VERY muscled up, spent a lot of time in prison working out. My wife said he scared her, just the way he acted.

Several months later he whipped a guys ass for bad mouthing me in a sporting goods store near us. Never said anything but " Troy is a friend of mine and you won't talk about him like that in front of me". Never mentioned it to me.....

I guess the half dozen phone talks while in prison that seemed to be not so much to me meant a whole lot more to him.