My Uncle Oliver passed this past weekend. He was my step-dad's grandfather's brother. (does that make him my great or great-great uncle?)
Official version:
Oliver Reagan was famous in Perry since the 40's for his ferocious devotion to Jehovah. Went to prison during World War II instead of compromise his personal beliefs of neutrality. Remained single for all of his 90+ years (still haven't found out exactly how old he was) in hopes of a young virgin in the New System.
Unofficial and more personal version:
"Unk" (what we called him, short for "Uncle") was truly a dying breed. I can truly tell you that I have never met a more cantankerous, ornery, aggravating person in my young life. But the man lived to be damn near a hundred, may even have hit 3 digits considering record keeping "back then", so he had to be doing something right. I loved the man and I love the man so I feel free to call him cantankerous, ornery, and aggravating. He'd probably laugh and agree with me right before going off on some tangent of his own if he were here right now.
Unk was a good Witness. One of the generation of Witnesses that this world is losing way too fast. See, he knew about the real deal when it came to persecution and just being a Witness in general. History of the Witnesses? That man lived it and made it happen. Went to prison in WW2, like I said. He was knocking on doors before our parents were even born. He was out there hopping trains in the 30's to go witness in different towns.
Then he saw his generation die.
But Unk never lost his faith.
For that I give him respect and for that I give the Witnesses of his generation respect.
I love you Unk. And I'll miss you.
I'll stop because I'm crying. I'll have more to share about Uncle Oliver later on. I just can't right now.
Mike.