[exnailpounder]

My HS welding and metal shop teacher passed away today. We were drinking buddies up til today. As a teacher, he always tried to make you believe in yourself and never hesitated to demonstrate a weld for you right in your booth and show you how you could do the same weld he did. He never acted better than his students and he was a lot of fun to drink with after he retired. His remaining family are assholes. Goodbye Mel.

[MosquitoMoto]

Sorry to hear.

The world has too few remaining craftsmen with big hearts who are willing to share their knowledge and help encourage the love of craft in others.



Kym

[LtBadd]

Remember the good times, drink one for him.

Condolences...

[ldbtx]

I'm sorry for your loss of your mentor and friend. My condolences.

[RamboBaby]

For Mel

[exnailpounder]

I appreciate the sentiment from you guys. He was part of my history and we were good friends. His daughter acts like I am trying to horn in on his will because I asked her to send me details of the arrangements. We dont have a SMH emoticon or I would us it.I feel old today.

[exnailpounder]

For Mel

Thank you Ray..it helps

[DLewis0289]

The best way to honor the old guys that taught you something, keep their name alive and give them credit when you teach someone else......Like you did today.

[exnailpounder]

The best way to honor the old guys that taught you something, keep their name alive and give them credit when you teach someone else......Like you did today.

Its just a downer when someone you have known so long passes on. I came from a effed up home and Mel and some of the other shop teachers kinda took me under their wing because I was getting into trouble all the time and they kept me on the right path. I saw my HS principle last night, the one who had the Marines come to the school and ASVAB test me He told me he was proud of me because he thought I was never gonna make it to old age the way I was going. I told him thanks for being a strict disciplinarian and giving me what I deserved. I am still friends with my Jr.HS principle too. They came from better times and I appreciate their wisdom. Thanks for letting me grieve a little here.

[RamboBaby]

I know the feeling brother. My brother was axe murdered by a serial killer four years ago. I saw the aftermath of it and it gave me nightmares for over a year. Just take comfort in the fact of what Mel left behind. That's how I look at my brother's death. With his dying breath he made sure that that man would never walk among innocent populations to prey upon the unsuspecting again.
R.I.P. Lee
Don't put too much stock in the news story. I saw my brother's body and he put up one helluva fight. They didn't want to get into the graphic details but my brother stopped this man after he had already been stabbed in the chest three times. He was one helluva tough hombre:

http://www.kxnet.com/story/20199144/joh ... axe-murder

[exnailpounder]

OMG Sorry to hear about that.That was terrible. Thats why I carry concealed. Too bad your brother didn't put one between his eyes and save us taxpayers a bunch of cash. You can just see the evil in that bastard.

[RamboBaby]

My brother was a convicted felon. No concealed carry for him. Besides, it was a sneak attack and he had steel in his chest before he ever knew what was happening. A gun would have been useless. He bench pressed that knife out of his chest with a 230 pound man on top of him. He was tough. Started working the oil rigs at 39 years old. No one thought he would make it when they found out how old he was. But he never had any trouble with it. A guy like me would have just vanished without a trace because I am not that tough. I think God put him in that demon's path to stop him from killing ever again. Lee did good on his way out.
Mel did good all his life.
Here's to Mel!
Remember the good times brother. That's what I do.