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Dad was Not a sign man, but he is definitely the fountain from which much of my creativity flows.
In his working days, he was the known as the best auto-body man in this area. Despite the summers of wet sanding(man I hated that as a teen), it was being around him that generated my first love for paint.
He was a true craftsman, and in his later years he would tell stories of working to please himself, not the customer. "It ain't leaving here til I am satisfied with it." was his standard motto, and his reputation reflected that.
When I jumped into the airbrushing thing as a kid, he bought me my first BADGER, and helped me start--using LACQUER! (haha man what a fiasco. AUTO lacquer on T-SHIRTS!) he helped me paint my first paying sign gig when I was sixteen, and encouraged me all the way.
He gave me a kick in the rear after I got married with the rough, sometimes resented advice of; " I KNOW YA CAN DO IT, BUT WILL YA?", with regards to my starting my sign shop.
Now ten years later, we are still here, and moderately sucessful. Daddy got to see that. He was always slow to bail me out, instead expecting me to make my own way, as he did. There were times I didn't understand that, times I was more than a little frustrated by it, but today, I am only thankful for it.
In the end, he saw I DID do IT, and I believe he was proud of me.
Doyle Glen Branscum was 70. He was a good husband, a loving father, and a great grandad.
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HI Barry, my heart goes out to you. You will always carry him with you, that is evident in your words, he will remain part of your life.
You are a major part of his legacy, I see it in the description of how he prepared you for it.
When my Dad died I walked around with a heavy blanket of pain all over me, but slowly it lifted, and instead of mourning him, I came to celebrate him. It takes time.
I'm thinking about you
Myra
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm sorry for your loss Tas. A creative supportive father is such a blessing as you grow. My dad didn't buy me my first airbrush but he did come up with a monster compressor at a rummage sale and put up with motocycle parts hanging from the garage rafters for a long time. I still miss the smell of laquer too!
It sounds like you'll have some sweet memories as the hurt heals over the years. My dad too, lived long enough to see my business become a "success", and that's a blessing that's so special.
May God's peace be upon you and your family.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1357 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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Barry, What a wonderful example and legacy your father left you to carry on. It is always difficult to lose a parent, a friend, a mentor such as your father was. You are in my prayers, as I know how I felt when I lost my mom, who had much the same spirit and will as your dad. We can only aspire to do as well by our own kids. Sheila Ferrell/ Signs (0neshot on chat)Selma,Al.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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Great tribute Tas. My dad passed about6 weeks earlier last year. When he gave up the wreck room (& a large share of the peace & quiet)in the house for me, my drum set, and my endless stream of long-haired musician friends, he told me my music was a great hobby, "but try to find a career for your artistic talent"
I was fortunant to have my father witness that achievement he suggested.
I know you are also thankful for that fact, & he will be with you as your talents & your business continue to make him proud.
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Barry, So sorry for your loss. Reminds me of my start in this biz. My dad was an auto body man for over 20 years and he pushed me to pick up a striping brush. I too, started in high school in his body shop and probably wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't grown up around cars and custom paint. Sounds like you have lots of great memories of your Dad.
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Barry....you will keep missing your Dad forever. He sounds like he was a great guy. Hold on to those happy memories.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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sorry to hear of your loss...losing your dad is never an easy time..i know it left a huge void in my life and it takes a long time to get back to yourself again...hang in there and remember all the great times you shared...i don't know how spiritual you are but i believe the spirit is a powerful energy...i know when my dad is around me and it's pretty cool...i don't believe in "organized religion" but i do believe in spiritual energy and i've found it to be quite comforting...i don't look at death as "the end", but instead, just another path to a different dimension...we all cross over at some point so i try to put my "here on earth pain" when someone passes on, in perspective and grieve like anyone else, but i totally believe our individual spirits live on.
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father Barry. Going by your responses and participation on this board, Id say he done a fine job as your father and you as his son.God bless you and your family.
Whos that. Whos that fella looking down at me saying "Look, I've got a son!" Thats my dad. Whos that fella helping me walk for the first time. Thats my dad. Whos that fella holding up my bicycle while I try and learn to ride. Thats my dad. Whos that fella telling me right from wrong and what not to do. Thats my dad. Whos that fella hitting a baseball to me so that even I can catch it. Thats my dad. Whos that fella learning me to drive with all the patience one can ask for. Thats my dad. Whos that fella crying at my high school graduation. Thats my dad. Whos that fella beaming at my wedding. Thats my dad. Whos that fella looking down at my newborn child and saying, "Look at my new grandbaby!" Thats my dad. Whos that fella that looks at me with watery eyes and tells me he is proud of who I am. Thats my dad. And whos that fella whose memory I will never forget and whose care and teaching will stay with me forever. Thats my dad.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Sorry to hear of your loss! I know haow you feel about the lessons ans skills passed on from your dad.
Hang on to those positive memories. And I hope every time you remember him it causes you to smile.
I'm sure you will do him proud.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Barry, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You will catch yourself thinking of asking for his advice in the years ahead, but then you will realize you can't, then you start thinking of all the times he was there for you and the memories of those times will just get better as time passes. I lost my dad in 1988 and I still miss him daily. He was my hero, I just didn't realize it until it was too late to tell him. God Bless
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Barry, all my life I have been a self sufficient person. I have climbed moutains, surfed in hurricanes, and ridden broncy horses. It's at times like these I always feel so inadequate! What can you say to someone who has just lost their Father, friend, and mentor? My thoughts are with you and yours and, just maybe, silence speaks louder than words.
I am sorry for your loss. My dad is one of my greatest fans too. May your memories help you bear your loss. May the peace of God excell all thought and guard your heart.
[ March 25, 2003, 09:00 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3486 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hi Tas... Sorry for your loss man. I lost my Dad just over a month ago. I was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. All I can say is that it sounds like we both had great examples to follow and that's what they expected.......for us to follow them. Even though my Dad was never a sign man he could swing a brush like he was born swinging it. I'm sure your Dad was the same when it came to body work, etc. They will be sorely missed. See ya, R.T.
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. Just think that if more people thought like him what a near perfect world this could be. The loss of a parent is never easy.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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How ironic.... I lost my dad on March 27th, 1983 to cancer and it seems like last week.... I can not tell you how bad I miss him !!! We were looking forward to when I retired from the Navy so we could have more time to just pal around and do stuff. I share your sorrow. Time heals all wounds, but does not ease the pain. There will be times in 15 years from now that you will just break down and cry from your loss. Take care.
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 817 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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Sorry to hear about your loss. Your tribute to him is wonderful.
I lost my dad the 10th of last month. I had to leave the sign shop here in upper Michigan at a moments notice to fly down to Atlanta. I got to spend 45 minutes with him before he died.
When I ws growing up, after all the things he'd do that I wouldn't agree with, I'd say to myself that I'm not going to be that way when I grow up. Well guess what, I'm just like my dad and I'm proud that I am.
God bless him and my dad too.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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