Today was my best friend's funeral in Georgia. It was amazing.

[DemoTex]

He dropped dead at the gym last Friday, age 65. Marathon runner. Super fit.

He was a right-winger with certain left-wing characteristics, and a left-winger with certain right-wing characteristics. He was a skeptical born-again Christian. He was the smartest man I have ever met, and - perhaps - the best writer. He was funnier than any stand-up comic, in the vain of George Carlin or Lenny Bruce. Did I say smart? Jeebus Christo!

He received a Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross in Viet Nam. He was in the Delta, while I covered the DMZ. We flew for the same airline, although we knew each other before our airline days. We both wrote for the same, then different aviation magazines. I was, for a while, his editor-in-chief; then we swapped hats. I never edited a word of his submitted copy, nor he mine.

He went to Baghdad late last year on a civilian flight safety gig. It did not work out well. He was working for KBR, but the USAF was the client. He was far too honest for the USAF (and he knew the USAF WELL!). He crossed with a "twice passed-over, booger-eating USAF major" (my friend's words), and - alas - was fired. But he did not cover it up or slink home ashamed. In fact, he sent out an email that said: "I failed. I was fired." Then he described the circumstances in such eloquent words that you - I - the reader knew: It was not the first failure in his long stellar career, it was the last success and victory.

We talked last week. He was so looking forward to a week or two or three in the wilderness lookout tower with me this summer. We were talking about finding the darkest night weeks (moon-wise) for some star-gazing. We talked about reading Kerouac, and drinking strong coffee while I scanned for fires. We talked about telling the Viet Nam war stories that we both trusted each other on. And drinking three-buck-chuck at night.

So I went to the funeral today in Atlanta. I left Greenville, SC, at 5:30 AM. I left the funeral home at 12:30 pm, and headed to Dallas to have my ticker checked by my ticker-guru. I'm in Meridian, Mississippi, now - sipping some Merlot for my ticker, but mostly for my friend John.

I am reminded of the first line of Ford Madox Ford's The Good Soldier: "This is the saddest story I have ever heard."

John, the book is on the Osborne fire-finder at the lookout. Check it out. I'll talk to you this summer, dear friend.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. What a wonderful tribute to your friend, DemoTex...

My sincere condolences. :hug:

Godspeed to John....

[handmade34]

2. so bittersweet

it is good to love

[babylonsister]

3. What a wonderful tribute to your friend. Thank you for sharing him

with us, and I'm sorry for your loss. :hug:

[hlthe2b]

4. Eloquent...

and fitting eulogy to your friend. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[LibDemAlways]

5. A lovely tribute to your friend, DemoTex.

Sincere condolences on your loss.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. One of the nicest eulogies I've ever read

God bless you.

[Arctic Dave]

7. Sounds like a great guy. You do him well.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear DemoTex...

Ah, your poignant words have brought the sting of tears to my eyes...

Even though I didn't know your friend, I feel as though I did.

Your writing is so eloquent, and your love and respect for him comes through so clearly...

Safe passage to him...

Remember, he will always be part of you, as you will be of him...

:hug:

[DemoTex]

16. This is a tough one, Peg

This guy was so damn good. As an airline captain, he would announce takeoff over the P/A by saying: "Tempus Fugit. Time flies. And so shall we. Flight attendants, please take your seats."

[babydollhead]

9. I wish you both peace

I hope you feel his presence and when you do, enjoy the company. heart strings hurt! That's how we know it's real.

[knowbody0]

10. man oh man

tears and cheers, comrade.

[pinboy3niner]

11. I'm sorry you lost him, Mac

John sounds like a hell of a guy, and you do him justice with your eloquent tribute.

R.I.P. :patriot:

[Useless in FL]

12. Beautiful

That was beautiful Demotex. My age, my generation/

[emilyg]

13. Safe journey for your friend. Hug to you.

[Smarmie Doofus]

14. Rec. n/t

[KT2000]

15. I am so sorry you lost

such a good and special friend.
Please accept my condolences.

[Brickbat]

17. Having read this, I wish I knew him; having read this, I feel like I know him.

You're in my thoughts. May your memories be a comfort.

[stevedeshazer]

18. +1

[DemoTex]

19. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "news" obit from today (not family placed)

http://www.ajc.com/news/john-roy-wiley-iii-857447.html


Wiley was a frequent on-camera personality at CNN, as an aviation expert

[barbtries]

20. my condolences

this is a lovely tribute. i'm sorry you lost your friend so unexpectedly.