Author Topic: Now is the time for us to support our friend Douglas ... (Read 4219 times)

Cat Whisperer · « **on:** April 03, 2011, 05:02:37 PM »

The emotions are deep, words fail us, but now is the time for us to express our support for our friend Douglas - with the sudden unexpected passing of his wife and best friend in life Katherine.

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2011, 05:14:55 PM »

oh my goodness i am so sorry, be best wishes to the family what happened? my prayers are for him. douglas as in double D correct?? i just saw them and everone looked healthy. life is short, live everyday like it is your last.
my thougths and prayers are with you doug.

rick bryan

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2011, 05:27:07 PM »

Yes, Rick, Douglas as in DoubleD.

Katherine was a SUPER person. (Not just for putting up with DD as Darlene puts up with me.) But in the few times I've met her, stayed in their home, she and Douglas have been open, caring and loving - without hesitation.

The feeling of being alone I understand in part. I can only compare it to when Darlene had a stroke about 5 years ago - I knew not if she'd live or die.

gulfcoastblackpowder · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2011, 05:42:35 PM »

Wow.

There are no words that can be of comfort, but Douglas, please know that I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

irishman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:12:30 PM »

Douglas, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Michael and JB

Frank46 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:33:01 PM »

Douglas, please accept our condolences and prayers from our family. Words completely fail me at this time. Frank

RocklockI · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:42:24 PM »

Douglas ,I am very sorry to hear of Katherin .

Gary

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2011, 09:23:39 PM »

Douglas, Sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts. Please take care.

dan610324 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2011, 09:28:06 PM »

I cant find words enough now

jag beklagar sorgen Douglas , hade ju inte äran att känna henne personligen men hon verkar ju ha varit en helt otrolig kvinna .
jag kan inte ens tänka mig in i din situation nu , jag tänker på dig och alla anhöriga och vänner i denna sorgens stund .

brokenpole · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2011, 01:32:52 AM »

Douglas, please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone who visits this forum. Day in and day out you are there to keep this forum on the level and I learned that Kathrine was there with you. My wife and I feel so blessed to have gotten to meet this lovely person. Safe travels my brother.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2011, 07:42:59 AM »

Douglas, Mike here
I am very sorry to hear of your loss Katherine was very nice and will be in my thoughts and prays.
Michael Couture

KABAR2 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2011, 07:47:03 AM »

I met Douglas and Katherine twice once with Rick at Yorktown and the next day
at LBT where I work, While Douglas and my CEO were talking cannons I had a nice
talk with Katherine little did I know it would be the first and last, I spoke with Douglas
this morning by phone and he appreciates everyone who has been in contact and the
support he has been getting from our group..... though at times like these we are more
like a family..... the good thing is he has decided to continue the trip, he feels Katherine
would have wanted it that way, and on the last leg of the journey home his son will be joining him
so as he continues his treck let's keep him and Katherine in our prayers

Allen <><

NinjaToes · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2011, 11:02:08 AM »

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Very sad news

Soot · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2011, 01:28:52 PM »

Sorry to hear of your loss, Please take care.

torpedoman · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2011, 02:30:22 PM »

truly sorry to heard of your loss.

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2011, 02:38:58 PM »

My condolences Doug on the loss of Katherine. It comes as quite a shock as I don't recall seeing any posts that she was even sick. There are no proper words at such times and little someone so far away can do. My prayers are with you.

Double D · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2011, 04:32:01 PM »

Thank you everyone for your kind words, the are gratefully received and very comforting. It has been a rollar caoster day emotionally and you words and phone calls help.

I wrote this and poisted it over on British Militaria and will share it with you here,

Gentlemen, I lost my best friend yesterday. My lovely wife of 44 years, Katherine died in my arms of sudden respiratory and cardiac failure. I started CPR and kept it going until the paramedics arrived. They took her to the hospital but it was just too late. The Doctor told me that she was gone before I could start CPR.

My heart is broken. We met two weeks before I graduated from high school. The day after I graduated I went to Marine Corps boot camp. When I returned home on boot leave three months later we married. We have two wonderful children together. Anyone who knows us, knows we are a pair.

We did everything together. She was my favorite hunting partner. We have traveled together to 48 of the 50 American states The only states we have not been to are Alaska and Missouri.. We have been to Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Canada, Mexico and South Africa together.

Yesterday I was in shock and today I am grieving. We depended on and supported each other so much it is difficult to think about life without her. I will adjust but it will never be perfect without her. There is a hole in my heart. Believe me when I say this, this is message tear stained.

Right now I am in Virginia staying with our Friends Bob and Becky. Bob is known here a .303SMLE. They have been a great comfort and good friends.

Katherine and I are on a two month vacation traveling the country seeing the sights and visiting family and friends. Our first vacation trip since I retired. We are about 4 weeks into that trip. My inclination is, after I pick up her ashes, put them the front seat and finish the trip. I know her, and I know that is what she would want me to do. Next week we were supposed to go to the Statue of Liberty, she had always wanted to see it. My daughter and granddaughter are going meet me there and we are going to carry out my loves wishes. Right now I do not know about going to the Easton shoot. I think she would want me too. She would be in my heart when we fire the volley in honor Queen Victoria and in memory of those have gone before us.

I will travel from there to my Daughters home in Illinois and spend a few weeks with her as was our plans. Then head home to Montana. My son will join me for that leg of the trip home. On the trip home we had planned on swing down to go through Missouri and we are going to do just that. She will be with us

I have some major adjusting to do and I hope you guys will bear with me.

Here is a picture of her with a deer she took. This a favorite of mine and hers and it was her most favorite hunting story.

Go with my god love, go with God.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2011, 04:45:18 PM »

Thanks, Douglas. We are proud/honored to be part of your (pl) lives.

BoomLover · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2011, 05:32:42 PM »

Douglas, we were on a short vacation, and just got home about an hour ago...I'm shocked and saddened by this news! I KNOW all the guys here on the forum are grieving with you, and you and Katherine are in our prayers. My sincere condolences to you and your children...take your time, we will still be here. Jim

BillinOregon · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2011, 06:33:38 AM »

Douglas, my friend, my heart truly breaks for you.
Bill, all choked up in the Wagner Creek Valley of your youth

Graybeard · « **Reply #20 on:** April 05, 2011, 02:20:33 PM »

Doug, when you are ready we have a forum in the Help and Announcements section called Gone but Not Forgotten. It's a place for members to post about the passing of friends or loved ones.

Since there aren't so many threads there as here it doesn't tend to get lost many pages down like on busy discussion forums.

Please post there when you feel the time is right.

plastikosmd · « **Reply #21 on:** April 05, 2011, 03:33:19 PM »

So sorry to hear of your loss. Your post really hit me. I need to pay more attention to those I love

Articifer Tom · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2011, 04:41:41 PM »

Sorry for your loss . I relished reading some of your heart warming stories . You where wise and blessed to have traveled and enjoyed so much.
Tom

Double D · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2011, 02:14:08 AM »

Thank you everyone for your kind words and warm wishes, and your prayers. They have meaning and are gratefully received.

Inquiries have been made about services and sending flowers. There will not be a service. At a later date I will take her ashes to Oregon where they will be interred with her Grandfather who died the day she was born. We will have a very private, sons, daughter and I, interment with a Pastor to offer a prayer. Simple quiet and private as the type of person she was.

If you wish, you can make a donation to the National Rifle Associations Woman's Programs in her name---Katherine L Dickens

I have her ashes with me now and will resume our vacation trip on Monday as scheduled. It is what she would have wanted. I will be putting on a Victorian Rifleman Provincial Shoot in Easton, PA for the British Militaria Board and IMA Saturday the 16th of April. I will probably have to have some one else call the Memorial volley. I had asked Katherine to shoot in the event. She didn't say No, so that meant she would have done it.

I have ask my Granddaughter to shot with me. I did not ask her to take Grandma's place because Granddaughter would have broke down at that. I have asked her to shoot with me. I hope she does.

I must get on with life or this will eat me up. I will always cherish my memories of her and will carry her in my heart forever.

I love you Katherine!

KABAR2 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 08, 2011, 08:06:10 AM »

DD,

You had a special Lady, not every husband can share his love of shooting & hunting with their wives,
I was lucky that way too, My Carol liked guns and even had her concealed carry license.

Double D · « **Reply #25 on:** April 15, 2011, 06:20:04 PM »

A promise kept...

oltom · « **Reply #26 on:** April 16, 2011, 02:23:56 AM »

my condolances....i have been married for 21 yrs, and i cannot imagine going on with my better half!...hang in there, and rely on the good lord above to re-unite you two someday again! in the mean time, make her proud of you each and every day.
marc

Double D · « **Reply #27 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:13:53 PM »

We are in Missouri today...another promise kept.

dittles · « **Reply #28 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:50:18 PM »

I am sorry for your loss of a loved one.

Double D · « **Reply #29 on:** August 25, 2011, 07:40:10 PM »

Katherine and I had one last dream...that I return to college this fall. This afternoon, I hooked up the travel trailer and pulled it to Havre, MT where I will start classes Monday at Montana State University, Northern. She rode beside me on the trip--I could feel her in my heart.