I just received a call from Kelly Crawford's daughter, Katherine. Many of you may remember Kelly by his screen name in this group: "The Old Sarge". ( His other moniker and Email address was "Xswords") Sadly, Kelly passed away this past Monday at the age of 62.
Kelly was one of a kind. Although we never met in real time, we had an internet friendship that began on this group back about 1996. Although he has been described as being crusty and confrontational - that was just a persona he enjoyed using - the real guy was one heckuvva modeler, intellectual, and above all a complete and thorough Irishman!
(BTW - Kelly passed away peacefully on St Patrick's day.........)
For years we looked forward to our Sunday morning long distance chat. Then Kelly sort of disappeared for a couple of years til we finally got back in touch just a couple months ago. I wish I had called this past weekend.....but isn't that the way things happen?
Anyway, since Kelly was a self professed "Irish Buddhist", I'm sure that I will cross paths with him again. Perhaps at the corner hobbyshop or at a show somewhere in the hereafter?
Have a smooth flight, pardner. You will be missed!!
Rick Fluke Montana