This is topic Bruce Kennedy RIP 11-06-2007 in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.huntmastersbbs.com/cgi-bin/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001754
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on October 25, 2007, 05:14 PM:
A few months ago, a lot of you said a lot of prayers for me ( Thank you very much! ) While I may have given up on Organized Religion a number of years ago, I have never given up on God or the power of prayer, and I know that those prayers helped me to get back on my feet.
But if I can, I'd like to ask those of you so inclined, to say a prayer for a friend of mine. As many here know, Bruce Kennedy has been fighting stomach cancer for several months. I got a note from his wife today, and things aren't going well. The Chemo isn't working, and recent tests show growths in the liver and Lymph nodes. He will be starting a new regime next Monday.
He and his wife could both use a lot of God's help right now, and I believe that the more who ask for help, the more help he will get.
Thanks,
Tim
[ November 07, 2007, 01:05 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on October 25, 2007, 05:30 PM:
...and I think you're right Tim. My prayers will include Bruce and his wife.
I am very sorry to hear about him, its very sad... ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 25, 2007, 05:36 PM:
I'm sorry to hear the news, Tim. I will keep him in my thoughts. Is he home? Maybe I can call him. Hmm? Just looked, don't have his number? Can you email me his #, Tim?
Good huting. LB
Bruce created The Shade Tree, finest Predator Hunting Board on the 'net, never equaled. He has many friends, myself included.
edit: Thanks, Tim
[ October 25, 2007, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on October 25, 2007, 06:25 PM:
I'm sorry to hear that Bruce is not doing well. I hope the doctors can find a treatment that will help him.
Posted by CindyTraps (Member # 1893) on October 26, 2007, 08:13 AM:
Real sorry to hear about Bruce, Tim, he will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thats a bad deal.
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on October 26, 2007, 09:06 AM:
I stumbled on to Bruce at the Shade Tree and ordered some stuff from his predator calling business. From my opinion he is a class guy.
I sure hope he can get through this rough stretch. I'll be pulling for him.
Posted by Crow Woman (Member # 157) on October 26, 2007, 09:07 AM:
Thank You for the update Tim, I was just thinking of sending him another email today because I haven't heard from him in a couple of weeks. He's got all the prayers that I can muster up! He's a good man and his wife is a peach!
On the Wings of Crow...
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on October 26, 2007, 12:32 PM:
Tim, thanks for the update on Bruce. The other day I was reading one of your posts and was wondering how you were getting along - that also reminded me that Bruce had posted indicating some health concerns.
My thoughts are certainly with Bruce.
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on October 26, 2007, 12:49 PM:
Bruce will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers...
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on October 26, 2007, 03:00 PM:
Thanks for the update on Bruce, Tim. I will continue to talk to the MAN upstairs about his situation.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 26, 2007, 07:13 PM:
I just talked to Bruce. He has been reading this thread and is most appreciative, although a little weak, these days. Says Chemo is not fun and not working very well.
Keep the thoughts and prayers coming. LB
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on October 26, 2007, 08:53 PM:
Hello Bruce!!!
I don't mean it lightly when I say I'll be praying. I already have and will continue. My wifey and I will hold hands before sleeping and pray for peace, comfort, and healing for you. And your chick will be in our prayers too! I know you love her. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I remember at the Houndsmen and Predator callers Hall of Fame, mama fell or bumped her eye or some such deal and got a bit of a shiner. I remember you dropping the mike and running out to kill the S.O.B. that had just hurt mama, even though said bad guy didn't even exist! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
[ October 26, 2007, 08:58 PM: Message edited by: Locohead ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 26, 2007, 09:20 PM:
Yeah, I remember that. I bet she deleted those pics!
Posted by albert (Member # 98) on October 27, 2007, 06:25 AM:
Best wishes and Prayers for you; Bruce. I talked to you on the phone a couple of times when I first started predator calling. Always polite. Even shipped calls to Saskatchewan! The most interesting site I ever discovered on the internet was the Shade Tree. Opened up a whole new world for me.
I have missed your conversations.
Posted by Norm (Member # 240) on October 27, 2007, 07:13 AM:
Tim, thank you for the update.
I will never forget Bruce and Cyclops at one of our hunts...
Bruce is a class guy, never asks for much help, but always willing to lend a hand...
He and Chris continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Father, hear our prayers for Bruce and may the Dr's thoughts and actions be driven by your power.
Through Him all things are possible.
Posted by BigO (Member # 1062) on October 27, 2007, 04:06 PM:
You got it Tim. He is in my prayers. I've lost a few friends to cancer in the last year or two. I feel your pain. I will also say a prayer for you.
Posted by Curt2u (Member # 74) on October 28, 2007, 03:32 PM:
Tim, you got them coming from here. I talked to Bruce on the phone a few years back. He seemed like one heck of a nice guy. I really hope things turn around for him.
Take care, Curt
Posted by tlbradford (Member # 1232) on October 28, 2007, 04:10 PM:
We will include Bruce and his family in our prayers.
Posted by The Outdoor Tripp (Member # 619) on October 28, 2007, 06:30 PM:
Prayers on the way.
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on October 28, 2007, 07:52 PM:
Bruce
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on October 29, 2007, 12:42 AM:
Hey Bruce;
Two kids were in the hospital outside of the operating room laying on stretchers & waiting to be the first surgeries of the day.
The first kid asks the other what he's having done.
The second kid says he's having his tonsil removed & he's a little nervous.
The first kid says that he had that done when he was four. They put you to sleep & when you wake up, you get all of the Jello and ice cream you want. It's easy.
The second kid says that makes him feel a lot better and asks the other what he's here for.
"Circumcision"
The second kid says "Whoa.... Good luck. They did that to me when I was born & I couldn't walk for a year."
HANG IN THERE & GET BETTER SOON!!!
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on October 29, 2007, 07:24 AM:
Hey Bruce. My supplier has been going through treatment for this for about a year now. He told me last Wed. that he is now cancer free. You're a lot tougher than he is.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on October 29, 2007, 09:58 AM:
Bruce, I've kept you in my thoughts and prayers since you first told us about your condition. In fact, I was watching your lion video last week with some friends. Get well buddy, we're all pulling for you.
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on October 31, 2007, 08:44 AM:
Thanks
......to all for your kind words, prayers, and well wishes. This past Monday, I got the latest results of my CT scan. After 4 months of treatment with 4 different kinds of Chemo, absolutely 0% reduction in any of the tumors - especially the liver.
I was told to go home and get my things in order, which I have done. I now have less than 8 weeks to live, if that long.
Now, if I can con Chris into buying me a bottle of Jack Daniels "Single Barrel", so I can have a nip with my cigar, I shall go out in a "Blaze of Glory" with a big grin on my face.
Take care,
Bruce
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 31, 2007, 09:31 AM:
I don't quite know how to respond to that, Bruce? Don't quit, Buddy.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on October 31, 2007, 10:47 AM:
Bruce, you sound like you've already got your "stuff" in order. You're a brave man. I wish I could join you for a few shots of Single Barrel, and drink a toast to a real "Man's Man". I will always remember you.
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on October 31, 2007, 11:21 AM:
Bruce,
I, like Leonard, have not a clue how to respond. I can tell you though the 2 things that happened when I read your post. First, I read "8 weeks" and my chest got all tight and I immediately felt claustorphobic. Then I read the next part of your post and I (like NASA) was overwhelmed by your bravery and good humor. I admire the hell out of you Bruce!
I give you my word, I am going to pray continually for you and Cris. Lots and lots!
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on October 31, 2007, 11:37 AM:
Damn...
I sure hate to hear that Bruce, but I have to admire the way your handling this. I remember talking to you one time on the phone years ago, and it became quite apparent to me that you were the Real Deal.
I also want to say THANKS. Because of you, I have had the chance to get to know some fine people even though I have never met most of them face to face and learn one hell of a lot along the way.
Hang in there.
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on October 31, 2007, 12:03 PM:
Bruce, I do not know what to say other than I wish you the best and I admire your great strength and courage at this time.
I will say that I went through a similar situation with my mom less than a year ago. The little old gal never weighed more than 105 lbs. in her life but the courage, strength, wisdom, understanding, and humor displayed by that lady was awe inspiring. Mom chose the home hospice route and fortunately I had siblings who were able to provide a certain level of semi-skilled care that allowed us to honor her wishes and mom a great deal of peace and comfort.
This was a tough decision that not all family members agreed upon, but it was not our decision to make. Mom made the call and we honored it.
My e-mail in this profile is valid, please feel free for you or your family to contact me if you'd care to share some of my personal experiences.
Posted by yuccabush (Member # 582) on October 31, 2007, 05:29 PM:
I will be deer hunting this weekend. Friday night while around the campfire I will think about you and send a prayer up.
Make the best of your time left. Tell your loved ones how much you love them.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on October 31, 2007, 07:24 PM:
quote:
Now, if I can con Chris into buying me a bottle of Jack Daniels "Single Barrel", so I can have a nip with my cigar, I shall go out in a "Blaze of Glory" with a big grin on my face.
LOL. I do believe you will too, Bruce.
I know that a lot of your friends at Huntmasters would like to contribute toward that big grin, so I would like to send you a bottle of "Single Barrel", courtesy of all of us here. I'll get your address from Tim.
Ed Parker, father of American Kenpo, told us that
"EVERYBODY looks good until they get hit, then you learn what they have made of themselves."
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on October 31, 2007, 07:52 PM:
Damn buddy, I don't know what to say. This isn't what I was expecting when I walked in the door a couple of minutes ago.
After reading your post, I poured myself a glass of Single Barrel, and lit a cigar. Here is a toast to you my friend.
For those who don't know him, Bruce can be considered a true pioneer of the World Wide Web. While many of us were arguing on Usenet, he saw the future that the WWW held, and Created The Shade Tree. One of the First, and finest predator calling boards ever online. My wife bought me several Birthday and Anniversary gifts from him, as he also had one of the first online Predator calling stores.
When the Shade Tree Closed, it inspired Will Craig to create PredatorMasters, and then Leonard to Create this site. During this Time, Bruce Created the Coyotegods board for John-Henry, and was the Administrator behind the scenes there for a number of years.
Bruce's hard work, has been an inspiration to countless Predator hunters over the years. He has done more to unite the Predator calling community that anyone else known to me.
Some of his other feats, were to unite the various hound hunters to a Board where they could get together and share tips, tricks and methods.
Have you ever seen Cyclops? That's the name of his BBQ smoker. It's so big, that it is it's own trailer. You don't move it by hand, it takes a truck. Did I mention, that he is also the founder of the Arizona BBQ society?
Until I met him, I could barely cook burgers and steaks on a grill. But under his tutelage, I now have a four foot smoker that produces some of the most wonderful meals that my family has ever had.
Here's another toast to you my friend. Stand strong and keep your fork, cause better things are coming.
God loves you and so do I.
See you soon,
Tim
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on November 03, 2007, 10:46 PM:
I got the chance to sit down and visit with Bruce and his wife this afternoon. For those who have been thinking of giving him a call, I might suggest that you do it in the next couple of days.
There will be a memorial service for him in a few weeks, I'll post the information here when it is time.
He told me that he knows that his time is up, and he isn't going to drag it out. He expects to pass in the next few weeks.
Tim
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on November 06, 2007, 09:04 PM:
Bruce passed at around 8:30 this morning. I don't have service information just yet.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 06, 2007, 09:16 PM:
Sad news, Tim. Man, cancer is evil stuff. Bruce didn't deserve it, nobody does. He was a good guy and will be missed. A pity.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on November 07, 2007, 12:57 AM:
Damn; I never know what to say at these times without sounding lame, but a Red Skelton quote comes to mind. "Good night & may God bless".
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on November 07, 2007, 03:52 AM:
I never had the chance to meet Bruce, but I know a lot of you guys who did, and any friend of yours, is a friend of mine. Sadly, I've lost enough people I care about to cancer, and seen enough more suffer its ravages, that I kind of feel like I do know what to say. At least, I know what has found me some comfort in times like these.
As much as it hurts to have lost such a good friend, take a moment and realize how merciful He was to have made Bruce's suffering last such a relatively short time. Cancer can show us that there are, in fact, worse things than dying.
And, as you grieve his passing, remind yourself that Bruce was a good man who enjoyed his life and treated people, I don't doubt, in a manner befitting a true Christian. Today, as the sun rises, it rises on a world where Bruce no longer suffers the pain of his sickness, or the wonder of what happens next. Today, Bruce's spirit rests in a place each of us has spent our mortal lives working for - at the feet of God.
Grief, though necessary for each of us to deal with and cope with this loss, is a purely selfish emotion as we try to cope with what we have lost. But, in that darkness, try to take a moment to celebrate what Bruce has attained.
You've spent a lifetime, from Sunday school to church on Sundays preparing yourself for times like these. Let your faith guide you and know that you'll see him again.
I just hope he leaves a few coyotes for the rest of us when we get there. I plan on sending as many coyotes his way as I can so he has something to hunt.
Posted by CindyTraps (Member # 1893) on November 07, 2007, 05:17 AM:
I don't either Leonard.
Thats a real sad deal.
Here I haven't been around in a while then to hear news like this.
The good lord takes those that are special first.
We will all meet again and understand this.
You are a blaze of glory Bruce!
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on November 07, 2007, 06:00 AM:
I asked Bruce for permission to post after his passing. I'd like to thank everyone for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. It's at time like this we all think of our own mortality. Just remember to live life to the fullest and show your loved ones on a daily basis how much you care.
Though Bruce is no longer physically with us his spirit will remain forever. Please remember my beloved as the fun loving prankster, kind and gentle soul that he was. Bruce believed in and lived by the Golden Rule. He was a true beleiver in the Native American's way of life and death.
So, smoke a cigar and raise your glass to the sky. When you see that shooting star know that it's Bruce.
Chris
[ November 07, 2007, 06:05 AM: Message edited by: bucksnort ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 07, 2007, 11:11 AM:
Chris, you know I understand what you are going through, at this time. I went from feeling sorry for myself, to understanding that I was very fortunate for the time Nancy and I had together, and grateful for a wonderful life that some people may never experience. I count my blessings and I have my memories. LB
Posted by The Outdoor Tripp (Member # 619) on November 07, 2007, 06:13 PM:
I never met Bruce, but have heard his name mentioned now and then, and always in an extremely positive light.
To Bruce, a fallen brother who is gazing down upon us now, and to all the loved ones and friends he left behind, you are in my thoughts - I wish you peace and strength.
Posted by Cowboyvon (Member # 854) on November 08, 2007, 10:31 AM:
I had the opportunity to sit and talk to Bruce one afternoon a few years ago. We drank some beer talked dogs, lions, horses mules and calling coyotes.
I have to say that the shade tree and those videos changed my life. And I'm sure I'm only one of many.. to me he was a special man that helped me find a way of life that I'm throughly enjoying now. I just regret that I never got to tell him or thank him.
But tonight I'm going to let some dogs out break open the Jack and have me a couple of shots to Bruce.
So heres to you Bruce... Thanks
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on November 09, 2007, 07:33 PM:
Sorry for the delay in posting.
A memorial Service for Bruce will be held at 9:00 AM on Monday at Adair Avalon Chapel, in Tucson.
They do ask that In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the American Cancer Society.
Edit:
Obituary: http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000097552139X
Guestbook: http://www.legacy.com/Tucson/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=97552139&PageNo=1
[ November 10, 2007, 04:23 PM: Message edited by: Tim Behle ]
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on November 15, 2007, 05:16 AM:
To all of you who have posted on the Guest Book . . . Thank you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers they have helped me through this difficult time.
Tim, Joyce, Victor, Dorothee and Leonard thank you for helping celebrate Bruce's life. In years, at 64, his life was cut short but, in celebrating his life this past Monday, one realized what a full life he led. Bruce was certainly multi-faceted -- he was my diamond in the rough.
Chris Kennedy
[ November 15, 2007, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: bucksnort ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 15, 2007, 08:13 AM:
That's true, Chris. And, you know what? As we were driving back to Vic's from dinner, I saw a bright shooting star, and remarked on it because it was especially intense, and it had a sharp angle, instead of arcing across the whole horizon.
And, then Vic said; well I guess that's Bruce. Me, being a little slow, didn't understand what he was talking about? Then, with a little explanation, he reminded me of what you had said, shortly before we left the house.....
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Curt2u (Member # 74) on November 17, 2007, 01:24 PM:
My visits to the boards are infrequent anymore. To say I was shocked to learn today of Bruce's passing is an understatement. Chris, I wish you the best.
UBB.classicTM
6.3.0