He was a Helluva guy

[silverhead]

This past Friday, John Primus passed away at age 90, as a very young man he was stationed aboard the Battleship California at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attack happened, He was deep inside the ship when it was bombed and was able to make his way to the deck and had to dive into the burning oil and swim under the flames, raising up as needed to splash the flames aside and get a breath to continue his escape, he made it ashore and did shore duty for awhile until getting reassigned and continued to fight to the end of the war.

Within a week of the attack, his parents received a black edged telegram from the war department with the message that John was missing in action, 2 weeks later, when they were preparing a memorial service for him at their church, they received a post card from him saying he was OK, and working "on the beach" (we still have that telegram)

After the War, he returned to Wisconsin and became a truck driver delivering new cars to their dealers, and pursuing his passion of fast pitch softball as a pitcher, one would always know when John was pitching a game, because the crowd that came to the games when he did so was much larger than normal. only on a rare occasion did he lose a game.

He then met a single Mother with 2 boys and 3 girls and took on a complete family and never looked back, he never had to hand out discipline, one never wanted to do anything that would disappoint him it seemed, His praise was often and you just knew it was real. He taught all the kids to drive and everyone of them has an exemplary driving record.

He was the 24/7/365 caregiver to his wife in her final years, with never a complaint. He never failed to send out holiday and birthday cards (always with nice notes inside) to those kids and their children. He was always available on the phone if you just needed to talk through a problem or just say hi.

Although he might not have been my biological father, no man could have done better than you did, I'm going to miss you Dad

[Meinuk]

What an amazing testimony to your father.  Thank you for sharing it, it really touched my soul.

I am so sorry for your loss, but I am so happy that you had him in your life. And now I see the example that helped to make you such an amazing carer for the woman you love. The world needs more people like John Primus, and you.

Love,

Anna

[looneytunes]

I'm sorry for your loss and I know you'll miss him so much.  Your tribute to him was very touching and I appreciate your sharing it.  It's easy to see where you came by your nature after reading this.  Rest in peace, John Primus.

[Rerun]

What a wonderful life he had.  Thank you for sharing it with us.  I hope he gets a pair of gold wings.

                     

[paris]

I am wiping tears from my face.  What a beautiful tribute. And how wonderful for you that this incredible man was in your life.  Thank you for sharing his life story.  I am sorry for your heartache and loss. 

[galvo]

Another gallant old sailor gone to rejoin his crewmates. May he rest in peace!

[Jean]

That was a beautiful tribute. God Bless Him and RIP.

[okarol]

That's a beautiful expression of love, your sharing him with us.
He did a good job, raising you.
Deepest sympathy on your loss.

[Mimi]

Oh my what a good man and great golden memories of him.  These
kind of men don't come along often.  How lucky for you to have him in your life.  Condolences, it is not easy to lose them.

Love, Mimi

[Sunny]

he sounds like a wonderful man. you were so fortunate to have such a man for your father.

[monrein]

Thank you so much for your moving tribute to your Dad.  Biology certainly doesn't necessarily make a man a father and yet some men just have great fatherhood lurking in them waiting for the opportunity to present itself.  Your Dad sounds solid on many levels and you are lucky to have had him in your life.  May he rest in peace.

[Darthvadar]

Silver, I'm so sorry for your loss... May your dad rest in peace!...

You mention that he wasn't your biological father.... We have a saying in Ireland... It's "Any old thing with an ounce of fertility can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a Daddy"...

Love...

Darth...