Guns & Outdoors Forum

A friend of mine who I’ve been taking care of the past few years (Not my Rancher Friend who passed last year) passed away a little over a month ago.
He was a Vietnam/Cambodia Vet with the Army and Navy. As often happens, he did some rough things and brought some Demons back with him. He’s been struggling the past few years with memories. I’ve been a sounding board, shoulder to cry on, and tough love administer as needed.
He had no family. Just a few friends. I helped him out and was a friend. He made me power of attorney and executor for his estate. This is the guy who has been giving my family his guns and other things over the past few years. Thinning out his estate and taking care of my family.
A Ruger Precision rifle, Sig LRF, Star 9mm to me. An AR to my Boy. Browning BAR in .243 to my Girl. Coins to my wife. Smith Airweight .38Spl to my mom. Etc.
Anyway, he passed away and his wish was to be buried at Ft. Sam Houston. I set it up through the VA to be buried with Honors which I think he’d appreciate and I received his Flag. It pains me that a man who gave so much for his country, only had me and my family at his beautiful funeral. But, he at least had us. And I was honored to receive the flag he so cherished his service to.

More to come…….

Being Power of Attorney and Executor for him was hard. A pain in the butt to jump through all the legal crap. It was eased in that he left everything to me and my family. But, we didn’t need it all. So, I’ve been distributing his estate to others as needed and I assume he would want.
I’m down to his few remaining firearms and deciding what to do with them. He also left me two very nice gun safes that will be put to good use. As to the firearms,
Ruger SBH in .44 Mag. This was his baby and pride and joy. I will be keeping this one. Savage 25 in .22 Hornet with a lot of ammo. Don’t know what I’ll do with this one. It has a Nikon ProStaff scope and seems nice. But, I don’t have a need for a .22 Hornet.
Remington 700 in .220 Swift w/ Burris Eliminator 3 scope. With lots of ammo as well. But, I don’t need it as I have the same rifle already. I may pirate the action for a build and keep the barrel for if I wear mine out. The scope, I’ve no interest in.
Ruger 10/22 Plain Jane and already have several. Could turn this into a build. Or leave it as is for a beater.
Built AR in .300 BO. This one has a nice Vortex Razor RDS and a Surefire SOCOM 7.62 Suppressor which I’m on the Trust for. I have absolutely no desire for a BO. So, the barrel may go to someone here and I may build the rest into something useful. The can, I will always use.
Ruger Mk IV Hunter w/Vortex Venom RDS. This is a nice pistol. I’ll probably put a pistol scope on it and move the RDS to something more suiting.
Sig P365 in 9mm. Not real interested in this gun. But, it is nice.

I have friends that want whatever I don’t want. Along with a ton of reloading equipment like Chargemasters, Prep Station, Presses, etc.
The other thought, would be to just give my Boy anything I don’t want as he is a young man now. Let him start his collection with a good head start. That is likely what I will do. When he moves out, he will have everything he really needs to hunt and defend himself.

Anyway, saddened by the loss of a generous friend. But, I’ve tried to do right by him in his funeral and helping others through his estate.

He was VERY lucky to have you and your family. May he RIP. Glad you got him the honors he deserved. Good man

You’re a good dude amigo. He knew it.

Been to one military funeral for a friend at work.

Some 15 plus years later, I still can’t even describe the feeling of it. Those who have been to one, know.

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:23 am Been to one military funeral for a friend at work.

Some 15 plus years later, I still can’t even describe the feeling of it. Those who have been to one, know.

Exactly.

My father had a military funeral and I as the oldest of my siblings got the flag. I couldn’t breathe…. Still find it hard every time I remember.

Good man, both of you.

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:37 am My father had a military funeral and I as the oldest of my siblings got the flag. I couldn’t breathe…. Still find it hard every time I remember.

It was amazing to see the precision and time put into the ceremony.

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:23 am Been to one military funeral for a friend at work.

Some 15 plus years later, I still can’t even describe the feeling of it. Those who have been to one, know.

During my time in Uniform, I was part of several Military Funerals. From pallberror, rifleman to NCOIC. That feeling grabbed me every single time. You never get used to it. It was an honor and a privilege to perform those duties and show the family and loved ones respect.

I’ve ordered a case for his flag and a frame for his Presidential Letter. They will go in my Cave above my Loading Bench.

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:56 am I’ve ordered a case for his flag and a frame for his Presidential Letter. They will go in my Cave above my Loading Bench.

That’s awesome! I’m sure he would appreciate this.

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:45 am

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:37 am My father had a military funeral and I as the oldest of my siblings got the flag. I couldn’t breathe…. Still find it hard every time I remember.

It was amazing to see the precision and time put into the ceremony.

The seriousness and intensity of the soldiers was just impressive. My daughter was part of the Base Honor Guard for a time, I have he challenge coin from this duty. She said it was the toughest and most rewarding job ever.

Good on you for doing what you could to be a friend and I'm sure what he considered family.

My FIL was buried with full honors, and it was incredibly powerful. I get what y’all are saying.

You did good taking of your friend. Sorry to here he is gone, but I’m sure glad he lived.

You did what needed to be done.
Well done!

I, also, have been to one military funeral. I was there for "work" as a school nurse because one of the Jr ROTCs required one be present, jic.
It was for a CMoH recipient with minimal family. Even staying a respectable distance away in my vehicle, it was still something I won't forget

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:22 am You’re a good dude amigo. He knew it.

Yup.

Sorry for your loss, the wifes Grandfather was buried with full honors, WW II vet, the guns will maintain the memories

You are a good man and he was lucky to have you there as a friend.
May he Rest in Peace.

Sorry for his passing. Glad that you were there to give him both help and friendship while he was alive and the respect he deserved when he passed.

Well done! Surely both of you were blessed with your friendship.

Sorry for your lose! You were his family!

Something I have learned over the years, especially now that I'm older, there is an immense joy on passing on one's treasures to folks that we know will appreciate them. I know it is a blessing when we receive gifts from friends, but unless you are on the other side of the mountain it is tough to know that the real joy is all on the person gifting.

We have all spent our lives building a life and a legacy of sorts according to our likes and capabilities. No one likes the thought of death being the final step in our journey, we all want to be remembered by those that mean something to us. These gifts are supposed to be just that, a small sense of living on and a hope that at some point, when the recipient handles on of these gifts, they will spark a memory and they will remember us even for a minute so in that way we live on in someone's heart.

You and your family provided this joy to your friend and as a guy getting older, I feel for him and am personally grateful that you did, because I KNOW how much joy it was for him to have this gift from you.

Well done my friend...damn well done..

Good on you being there.
You should try that hornet.....they are fun and useful around a ranch