KA9MOT's brother, Mike is SK

[KA9MOT]

We buried Mike... well, he's in a box....and it's a small box. I'm not really sure what they've done with him. We really didn't bury him, unless his wife placed him in a closet or something. The memorial service was Wednesday. It went well.

I decided to take the weekend off and my son and I explored 60 plus miles of the Mississippi River, much of it in 4X4 along the river bank or as close as we could get, yesterday. Today, I kicked back and got my head right. I'm still trying very hard to stop telling bad jokes. That is something I do when I am sad.

Next weekend is going to be TONS of fun. I get to clean out Mike's Shack, take down his antennas, and start putting his radio stuff up for sale. Not something I am going to enjoy, but I promised him I would and his family will need the money. I'll be buying some of it and insisted I be allowed to keep Mike's old homebrew tuner he made back when he was a Novice and held the call KA9MOT (1982 or so).

[N7YA]

Steve, keep telling bad jokes...you always have an audience for bad jokes here. Keep us posted. You may be able to offload some of the gear here. Just know our thoughts are with you, this sucks.

[K7SGJ]

Hang in there Steve. In time, it usually gets a little easier to cope.

Just remember your worst jokes are still an improvement over some of our best jokes. (Puns not included)

[KA9MOT]

Thanks guys. I don't know what I will have for sale just yet. I am seriously thinking of buying his Yaesu FT-950. He has a lifetime collection.
His wife has already sold his boat, truck and the house for pennies on the dollar to "friends" and neighbors. I want to say something so badly, but what can ya' say. It is clear that when somebody passes, the vultures swoop in.

To be fair, the house needed to be sold. Mike was one of those guys who burned wood for heat, and there is no way she could keep firewood and there is no way she can afford to put a furnace in. She wanted to move closer to work anyway.

The kicker was she sold his 1999 18 foot Ranger Bass boat with a 1999 100 HP motor and 2008 Trailer for $1200. It's money out of her pocket. My dad almost cried. He offered her $7000 for it after she sold it. Makes me wonder if Mike told her how much he really paid for it.