Gone Too Soon - Dave's Midwestern Ohio Memories

A Series of Guest Blogs by an out-of-state Fish Report reader originally from this area about fond memories of growing up in Midwestern Ohio during the 50’s & 60’s

Gone Too Soon

Last week, the sad news arrived that my childhood friend, Ken, had passed away after shoveling snow during the winter storm. While growing up, our families spent almost every 4th of July and New Years Eve together. Those were special holidays that we enjoyed celebrating with special people. Our parents were great friends and us kids matched up nicely age wise.

At those celebrations, we would play for hours in their old barn pictured here that provides a fitting backdrop for recent photos of Ken, a 2nd cousin on my father’s side, his lovely wife Monica, a 2nd cousin on my mother’s side, and their large family.

The get-togethers with our families would always end with a bang, as fireworks were set off each 4th and shotgun blasts at midnight on NYE. What a thrill!

Ken was active in many civic affairs around Ft. Loramie, including being a key member of the Redskin Field Crew recognized in this previous blogpost. He was also an honored veteran, who was commander of the local American Legion Post.

My childhood memories about Ken mostly centered around sports. He was a star athlete on our high school baseball team that won the district championship in his senior year.

Here’s what my sister Sara recalls about playing sports with Ken and his brother Tom:

"Recall visits back and forth, often New Years Eve, 4th of July etc. and atmosphere was especially light and fun filled. To me, personally, Ken and Tom accepted me into the male triangle to play all sports and cards. Needless to say I realize I was just a fourth person necessary to even up the sides but they never made me feel that way. Lots of laughter overhead from those adults, too."

Ken was a year older than me, so for sure he is “Gone Too Soon” as reflected in the lyrics of this song by Simple Plan.

No one will miss him more that his grandkids pictured below at a party on his 70th birthday. May his memory sustain them now and forever more. Rest in Peace, my friend.

~~~~~~~~

(Receive a weekly email whenever there is a new blog post. Just enter your email address in the designated spot below the blog and follow instructions to set up the notification.)