The only thing I'll post about Gary Austin

[Hal B]

Thank you Brad; that had to be tough to write. My condolences on the loss of your friend.

[marine air]

THank you Brad for helping us to understand. Thanks also for sharing your parents and your mom's home cooking with Gary. He was certainly worth it and he surely appreciated that act of kindness beyond measure.
He's not suffering anymore.

[Shae]

I think it would have been harder on you not to write this, but sharing it with us shows us not only who Gary was through your eyes, but who you were to him. Thank you for both of those things.

I didn't know him as well as you did, but the time I did spend with him left me changed for the better. I would have thought of him just as often if he were still with us. That's how neat of I guy he was. He just had that way about him.

[Roger Cain]

Hi Brad, nothing I can add that hasn't been said already, sorry for your family's loss.

[Jeff Funk]

Brad,

Thank you for your post. It is everything that most of us ever need to know and it was presented beautifully.

It was especially good to know that Gary had close friends like you that did everything they could to help him. Gary was lucky to have you in his life. As time passes, I hope you can focus on your good fortune to be one of his close friends. That he touched so many of us who never had the opportunity to ever shake his hand, is a mark of his greatness.

You are in my prayers also,

Jeff

[Scott Rose]

Thank you very much for sharing your relationship and insights into Gary. None of us knew him as well as you did but he had a tremendous impact in the lives of all who met him. He will live on in our hearts and our memories.

[bluehawk15]

Vince Gill was a good friend of Payne Stewart. When he suddenly passed away in the jet incident, Vince wrote a beautiful song for him. I had it played at my father's memorial service, and it comes to mind as I think of Gary.

HEY GOD!

Hey God I just lost a dear old friend
Hey God I hope he's in your angel band
Hey God you know he believed in you
Just help us understand why you do the things you do

He God send me down some comfort please
Hey God I'll be down here on my knees
Hey God will we ever comprehend
The forgiveness and grace that lies waiting in the end

Oh there's anger and tears
For all of the years that your children won't have you to hold
Oh my heart has been broken
The angels have spoken still I wish I could watch you grow old

Hey God I know he didn't die alone
Hey God tell my old friend welcome home
Hey God please hear me when I pray
Pray for a little peace 'til we meet again someday
Pray for a little peace 'til we meet again someday

[fotobass]

I'm not sure where, or when, or who it will be...but at some point, someone's going to start another 'Gary's not gonna like this' thread...they've got to.

And when they do, no matter what time it is, I'm gonna pour a drink and lift it.

[snj-5]

My condolances go out to any and all who knew Gary personally. I only
communicated with him via PM and e-mail, but he struck me as being one
of the "good guys" (the kind of guy you instantly like & you just know
you'd get along with in person).

Bela P. Havasreti

[rpellicciotti]

Brad, Thanks for writing this. You certainly captured the essence of the man. I really enjoyed meeting you and chatting with you at Airsho. I know that you know how special Gary was to those of us here in Memphis. I really appreciate you putting into words how I feel about him but could not find the words myself.

[sgt hawk]

Very kind of you Brad, and no doubt it was not easy. You have restored my belief that people with similar likes seek each other. For those of us who never met Gary, his passion for these old airplanes could be felt in his posts'. His ability to repair and reproduce parts connected with his ability to explain it, so we could all understand it, was a gift. Again, thanks for sharing Brad, it's just so tough to understand. Gonna miss him!

[slinky]

Well, upon hearing the sad news I have spent several hours reading all the posts, the strings of different subjects, and especially Gary's Reno subjects. I did not know him personally but dearly wish I had.
Brad, thanks for starting this thread with your thoughts. And thanks to everyone else on all the different threads that posted their thoughts and experiences for all of us to share. He was quite a guy and had an infectious smile!
Gods Speed Gary.....

Where the Pilots Go
Someday we will know, where the pilots go,
when their work on earth is through.
Where the air is clean, and the engines gleam,
And the skies are always blue.
They have flown alone, with the engine's moan,
As they sweat the great beyond,
And they take delight, at the awesome sight
of the world spread far and yon.
Yet not alone, for above the moan,
when the earth is out of sight,
As they make their stand, He takes their hand,
and guides them through the night.
How near to God are these men of sod,
Who step near death's last door?
Oh, these men are real, not made of steel,
But He knows who goes before,
And how they live, and love and are beloved,
But their love is most for air.
And with death about, they will still fly out,
And leave their troubles there.
He knows these things, of men with wings,
And He knows they are surely true.
And He will give a hand, to such a man
'Cause He's a pilot too.
— unknown

[Lynn Allen]

Thank you Brad for sharing that. I will always remember him as a person who greeted you with a smile and a firm handshake and meant it....

Lynn

[smokeyjoe]

Thankyou Brad !! I wish i had met Him !!

[Bug_racer]

man , Im lost for words . Ive seen many of his posts and he was like a real hands on guy that loved warbirds . A real shame . Condolences to all friends and family .