Monday, August 8, 2016
Guerry was a great friend to me for a long time. We had lots of adventures together over the decades. He was a bright caring individual who stood up for himself and those he cared for. He had a lot of insight into human behavior, and could 'read' people well. He would do anything for those he cared for.
He could tell stories better than most folks. I once met someone that worked at the brickyard on 55 with him. He told me he used to skip lunch to just sit and listen to Guerry spin tales.
He knew a great deal about the area in which he grew up. He took me the horse and mule graveyard that was in the woods a few miles from his house. Very few folks knew it existed. He once took Susan and I to see a vulture nest complete with two babies that was in an old barn on his property. Quite a sight.
He could drive anything. We car camped in the woods together a few times, and Guerry always had to drive our car in and out of the muddy camping area. He was also a good shot. We used to go to the woods at Christmas to find a tree and also carried a rifle to shoot down some mistletoe. He never missed.
When he used to farm, he once owned 'the largest American made John Deere' that existed. He had a 60 acre field rented on Page road on the other side of the interstate, thus it was a bit of a drive to get there with the tractor. He would relay tales of 'frustrated' drivers behind him, with a grin. It seems rush hour was the only time he had available to do the task.
Once when passing a bicyclist in his dump truck, the cyclist flipped him the bird. Guerry stopped to discuss that with the cyclist. I arrived at his house not long after that. A deputy called (apparently the cyclist had phoned the sheriff) to discuss the incident. Guerry was in the right and did not back down. The deputy kept coming at him. The conversation ended with the deputy hanging up abruptly after Guerry said "That is what you do when someone gives you the finger. You just drive right on by, right?"
I always admired his intellect, compassion, coordination, and mechanical ability. His long steady decent slowly took that ability from him, and it was sad to witness. There are many other tales, but perhaps best saved for private discussions.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
We love you Marie.
