For us this has been as private a week as we could have it and we tried to not commercialize my fathers passing. We put him to rest today one week later, and we wanted to give everyone a chance to be here that felt they should be. Ive been pretty quiet with the passing of my father. I have a very long piece I wrote the night after his passing, that I will put up from my perspective. You all, as well as He, deserve(s) that and we will get that on my FB and perhaps here. I only changed the 2 main page and profile pics on my personal Facebook page as he neared an end of life cycle we watched. The last picture one of he and I at the table I direct the Owners Invitational from, as I have for decades. I did that that day before he passed feeling the end closing in. The outpouring of support, love and friendship from the pictures and articles has been overwhelming and humbling.We put the obituary out the next day late and Joe (Okada) put the pics together without asking, that accompanied it. Joe wanted to do that and he did an absolutely wonderful job this week for our family. I contacted AGFC Sunday late, Bass Fan and Jerry McKinnis Monday and the rest was done without fanfare on our end. It was done by men who respected the life my father lived and the contributions made. Back many years ago we started the Bass Cat owners tournaments at Greers Ferry as a small event. We fished out of Laceys Narrows and after a couple of years we tackled the Owners Invitational that would stamp the Bass Cat “Family” for now over three decades. Each of you got an opportunity to meet my father there as he had no function at the event other than to smile and say hello. Thats the way it was, he almost always had time to chat. Thus you all are an extended part of our family because we wanted it that way. The Bass Cat “Family” we built around the Owners Invitational and it is the original owners event in fishing, not just bass fishing. It has been a lot and it meant a lot to he and us. We wanted everyone here to feel welcome. Thus we owe you this last discussion about Dad this week. We just wanted to put him to rest this week in the manner he deserved. You all were a big part of everything this week as is the AGFC, City of MH, Baxter Bulletin and others. Today we close the book on his life, though his accomplishments will be enjoyed by many long after today. And Im not talking about the brands or boats, its more about the things he did in life. Thank you or your kindness and this day will be hard, though he left the world better. He always said “you always want to just leave it better than it was when you got it.” He did that quietly in so many ways and many will enjoy it. Thank you all and there no reason to feel sad today. As Pastor Randy Ludwig said at another funeral service yesterday, he gained a lot last Sunday. It was all gain to him.God bless, Rick PierceLast edited by Rick Pierce on December 11th, 2016, 3:04 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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