when we first started the whole farm project we had a neighbor named Paul Ray. He helped us more than words can describe. He knew everybody, and exactly who to contact for help we needed it. I really miss him, He meant so much more to us than he ever knew. Sorry about Charlie.
you are describing Charlie to a "T". I can't tell you how upset my brother and I were when his wife called and said Charlie had died suddenly actually on his way out to our property a week ago Sunday.
He was more than a ranch hand/jack of all trades...he had a become a family friend. We only bought the property in Feb/March 2012 so we havent known him long, but it felt like we had known him for 25 years. Like your guy, he knew somebody that could help us no matter what we needed...electrical, plumbing, fencing, cattle guards, running water pipes....hell he knew everybody. He was a hard working guy and he loved work.
It was pretty emotional last Wed at the funeral meeting his wife and daughter for the first time. One thing I am happy about is I always let Charlie know how important he was to us and how much we loved what he did for us. I just wished I would have been able to say goodbye...but sometimes we don't get to.
I used to like just listening to him with that southern drawl...check it out I recorded only 3 weeks ago:
Charlie Video: RIP ps: Al sorry you lost Paul Ray.
