RIP Bobby McLamb

 My wife's brother, Bobby McLamb, passed away on November 23. Susan and I were both there when he passed. He had been ill for several years with lung cancer and other issues. His cancer was attributed to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Bobby said that spraying Agent Orange from a helicopter was a typical government screwup. The propwash from the rotors just sucked the spray back into the chopper. He survived his time in Vietnam (and other countries where they weren't allowed to say they had been) but he could not survive Agent Orange. He joins thousands of others killed by government stupidity.

In an apparent moment of insanity, the family tasked me with writing his obituary. So, as family members gathered the next evening to start preparing Thanksgiving dinner, I asked family members to tell me something about Bobby that they thought was important. The results are Bobby's obituary. 

Someone (Not a family member) asked me why the obituary did not mention any family members. I explained that in my world, obituaries are about the deceased, not those remaining alive. If you want your name in print, buy an ad. If you want to know about how the family is doing, pick up a phone. Try a personal visit.

So here is our obituary for Bobby.

"Tuesday, we lost our beloved brother, Bobby McLamb, after an extended struggle with Agent Orange related lung cancer. Fifty years after serving our country in Vietnam, Bobby paid the ultimate price for our nation's freedom. After eighteen years in the U.S. Army, Bobby worked several years as a contractor flying helicopters in Saudi Arabia. He came back home to work as an over the road truck driver. He worked at this until he was diagnosed with lung cancer. At a family gathering for Thanksgiving, family members shared their thoughts about Bobby. Here are some of their comments. "He was always kind to dogs." "Bobby was always smiling." Many noted "He was always wearing black." "He had great stories about travel." "He was a man who lived a thousand lives", remarked one nephew. A visitation for Bobby will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Bobby will be laid to rest in Hope Haven Garden of Memory, 604 E. Hwy 30, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737. Instead of flowers, the family asks that you honor Bobby by making donations to animal shelters or the Salvation Army. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oursofh.com for the McLamb family".

RIP Bobby