Uncle Hub

A couple months ago, my grandpa's brother Jim died. He and their other brother, Hub(ert) had both been sick for quite some time and we didn't know who would go first.

Today I got an email from Grandpa saying that Uncle Hub had finally passed on. I didn't know him well and I don't grieve for myself but for my Grandpa, who loved his brother. I saw him just a few times in my life and while my memories of him are pleasant, they are very few. In his email this morning, Grandpa remembered his brother and I asked him if I could share his words because they were so sweet. Their relationship is what I hope my own boys will experience one day ~ a closeness and understanding that only comes when you grow up together.

In Grandpa's words:

The last time that I talked to him was a few weeks ago. I went down to visit him, walked into his house, saw him sitting in his favorite chair reading. On second look, I saw that he was reading his Bible and nonchalantly, I asked him what he was doing.
His reply was, "Just sitting here studying for my final test!" Enough said....
Hub would have been 81 this coming March 3rd and has had a pretty good life, seen a lot of things, been to a lot of places, met a lot of people, and he knew his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They have walked together many, many times over these last few years, getting him ready for his "Big Journey" which he is now traveling.
He was a great brother, a wonderful adviser, and a guy who never asked for anything in return. He would do anything for any body at any time without question. He was a person that would qualify as being anybody's "roll-model", and was a person of the highest integrity.
Last, but certainly not least.... he was the world's greatest guitarist. I can't remember when he didn't play some type of musical instrument. The violin, drums, piano, trumpet, lead and/or rhythm guitar.... they all came to him naturally and he knew many of the so called "greats" in Nashville as well as people in places where the "hot" music was played. He loved the big band sounds, the country style, jazz arrangements, and the bluegrass music. He accompanied many of the big name people upon many occasions over the years, yet never made much notoriety out of it.
Hub will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends, relatives, and anyone whose "path of life" crossed his. He has now crossed over the RIVER and into that place where all of us strive to be. He will now abide his time and effort to play in that Heavenly Band where only the musicians saved by the Grace of God will be allowed to enter.
Good bye, dear brother....

I just didn't think I could say it any better... Good bye, Uncle Hub. And if you happen to run into Great Grandma Margaret... please give her a hug from me.