I was informed this morning that mranderson’s father has passed away. He was in ill health, however, any time a loved one passes away, it is still a shock. I spoke to mranderson this morning, and he is in a little shock and feeling very numb. Mr. Anderson has been a vital part of OKCTalk for the last two years, and is a big part of the OKCTalk family. Let’s show him our support.

I realize that some of you may not agree with mranderson on many issues, and that he gets under your skin at times, however, let’s put those issues aside and remember mranderson and his family in your prayers.

His father will be at Vondel L. Smith’s, on S. Western, if any of you would like to go by and pay your respects. The funeral is pending, and as soon as I find something out, I will let you know.

If you would like to send a sympathy message to mranderson, you may do so by sending him a PM.

All of the moderator's, and Todd, send our deepest sympathies out to mranderson and his family.

I'm so very sorry to hear about this loss. mranderson, you have a PM in your box.

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, mranderson.

My sympathy goes out to you mranderson. I know you guys were incredibly close, and you have my support all the way.

I am sorry to hear about that, Mr. Anderson.

Rob, I'm so sorry to hear about your father's passing. Please accept my deepest condolences. My thoughts are with you in the days ahead.

Here is a poem that you might find comforting.

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room

I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used

Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,

Just around the corner.
All is well.

By Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)

My sympathy to you mranderson.

I want to thank all of you for your kindness, especially letting our differences aside during this traumatic time in my life. Many have replied via PM, and some by post.

Just an update.

Mr. Anderson's fathers' funeral will be this Friday, at 10:00 AM., at Vondel L Smith Mortuary on S. Western. Burial will be next Monday in Ponca City.

Mr. Anderson's fathers' body will be available for viewing after 10 AM. Wednesday.

Rob...you, I, and Patrick, have been friends for a long time. I know how close you were to your dad, and how big of a void it will be in your life. Our prayers are with you.

I want to thank all of you for your kindness, especially letting our differences aside during this traumatic time in my life. Many have replied via PM, and some by post.
I'm sorry for your loss, mranderson. I know that your dad is in a better place. God bless.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I know what you are going through. I lost my father 3 months ago today after he was sick for some time.

Rob, our thoughts are with you today as you attend the services of your father.

(((( HUGS ))))

In Remembrance of Andy Anderson

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Funeral_001.jpg

I want to share with you a joke my dad would have appreciated. Then, on another post, I will have some serious comments.

We, The People Of The United States...



While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the man.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder."I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.
What happened?"
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...today you voted."

My dad meant nearly everything to me. Many of you know that. he was my inspiration, my mentor, my teacher, my guide, my political leader, and most of all... My idol.

It was Alzheimers that took my dad. In a way, that is a fitting end because my other mentor, my favorite President of all time, the man who personally honored my dad for his experience as a Ranger in Normandy, Ronald Reagan, was taken the same way.

Alzheimers is not the real cause. It is not fatal. The symptoms are. Dad's kidneys slowly failed, and his throat was paralyzed.

My mom told me he held out his arms as if he was reaching for the sky, and uttered the words "yes, yes, ok." Then two or three hours later, he died. He had a very peaceful and respectful last breath, while holding the hand of "maw." his pet name for my mother.

As a lasting tribute to this remarkable man, I would like to ask every one of you if you desire, to make contributions in memory of C.M. "Andy" Anderson to the Alzheimers association. With your help, then just maybe, we can cure this awful illness and educate the public on early detection. Had we detected it early, my dad would still be alive today, in his full glory, advising those he loved on the vertues, the patriotism, the business savy, and the political knowledge he so dearly loved as a passion.

I say a final good-bye today as I listen to a 21 gun salute and taps as he is lowered to his rest.

May my dad have the peace and rest he so much deserves. And, on behalf of my family, I thank you all for your compassion and your thoughts.

Daddy, this one is for you.:tiphat: