Missing man tribute

I've been finding a reason not to fish every weekend. Yesterday, i got a call from on old friend Sandy Allen of Allen's Marine/Boat service. She told me her husband Mike Allen, a fine man and superb boat motor mechanic. He loved outboard motor and putting his wife on crappie on Tuesdays when the shop was closed. Mike and Sandy treated me like an old friend. He would let me watch/help while he worked on my motor. He would teach me and tell me all the stuff to I needed to be doing to take care of my Evinrude.

Mike was a Army Veteran. He worked with his hands his whole life. Farming as a kid. His hands developed terrrible arthritis and fingers curled to where he could barely work. The V.A. didn't treat him as well as I think every veteran should be treated, but he eventually got surgery to free up his fingers on both hands. He returned to working for a while, but hands, back and lungs were bringing him down. He smoked like a chimney. I'd ask him if I should be worried as he would take carb bowls off my motor with a cig in his mouth. He would chuckle and tell me it ain't got him yet.

Like I said, my lazy butt had been wimping out every weekend and not going out. Sandy called me yesterday to tell me that Mike was under hospice care and cancer was taking him. Before we hung up, she told me to take the boat out. "Go when you can. We got old quick". So this morning, I hooked up and headed to the river. There was a search going on for a missing man from last night. Missing from Hericus park. I know the area well, so I decided to troll for a couple hours and watch my side scan. The tide had been thru 2 complete cycles since the man went under, so he could have been anywhere. I never marked anything. The Chesterfield Rescue found his body about noon. Maybe 200 yards from where he disappeared. RIP Mr. Carillo.

When I launched this morning, by myself, I did what I have done a hundred times. This is what happened.

Ranger morning oops at Dutch Gap - YouTube

Surprisingly I remained calm and it wasn't very long until some nice people came by and brought my baby back to me. After returning home, I got a text that Mike Allen had passed away this morning. I hope in my heart that it was him who popped my dock rope off the post, just to mess with me. If not, I hope he had a good laugh girl drifting away from me as I stood helpless.

I miss you Mike. Thanks for all that you taught me. Thanks for how you always treated me. Lord lay your healing hands on Sandy and the family, who are hurting today.

Dayton

RIP Mr Csrillo

Ruben Carillo: Dive teams find body of missing Chesterfield man

Here are the nice people who brought her back to me.

Attachment 405173

Always good to have help

A fine tribute and a reminder to all how quickly time passes.
And I think most of us have had the same thing happen to us at the boat ramp sometime, good that someone came by to help.

Sorry for you loss, prayers for the family and friends

everyone thinks they have all the time in the world but then reality will smack you in head. Personally had quadruple bypass last year which was a surprise for someone who is as active as I always have been. when surgeon came by next morning first thing he said was why are you still alive? with that blockage in your widowmaker you should of had massive heart attack and died. BTW you did have to be resusitated twice while under. So go fishing or on that trip with your wife when you can and don't put it off. Or spending time with your family, you never know what will happen or how much time you have.

good story and points ranger.

I also have a dear friend I lost several years ago Sneaky Pete. Still miss that man and call and check on his widow (Mrs. Barbara) quite often. Your story reminded me of my dear friend. I haven't (not yet anyway) lost my boat while launching. I have rescued people's boats for them a few times. Once with my dear friend Deacon. We were fishing Larto lake in Louisiana when we came back towards the launch and there was a boat floating out in the middle of the lake! After checking to make sure no one had fallen out of the boat, we pulled it back to the launch and tied it off there and let the lady at the marina know about it. Next time was last year with Richie Rich when we arrived a little early at the launch and decided to wait until day light to launch. Another truck FLYS into the parking lot and hurries up and launches and watches as their boat drifts across the canal with NO rope attached! Richie says "well I guess we can launch now and go get their boat for them!" Have also see people throw anchors out that did NOT have the rope attached! lol