Author Topic: 1776/OzKansas (Read 2293 times)

Toad · « **on:** December 26, 2003, 06:56:12 PM »

Gentlemen,

1776 or OzKansas as he's been since the name change, is just about at the end of his time.

About 2 years ago, in November of 2001 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has endured numerous series of chemo, a lot of pain and a steady erosion in the quality of his life.

Through it all, he remained unfailingly cheerful, optimistic and always willing to help others. In everyday life he refused to let the cancer, what he called "my little friend", rob him of his great attitude. He suffered in silence, without complaint. When his health allowed, he participated in the laughter and fun of AH with our squad. He maintained a great sense of humor and we enjoyed his company at our KC lunches.

Now, however, the candle is burning low. His nurse tells us that it is a matter of days, if not hours. He is pretty heavily sedated but does manage some conversation when we visit. I'm not sure he can read the board anymore, but may be able to do so for a short while longer.

Rude and I spent some time with his 86 year old mother today, just talking. She asked about this game and his fascination with it. We explained as best we could the game and his participation. One of my memories of Oz is his willingness to spend time with the new guys, helping them get the hang of the game's various aspects. She took a bit of comfort from that.

Anyway, for those of you so inclined, please share a few memories of 1776/Oz with her in this thread. She's interested and we said we'd print it out for her.

Oz beat the doctor's "best guess" by over a year. He lived an amazingly long time for someone with advanced pancreatic cancer. I think his cheerful attitude had a lot to do with that.

He was a good man; honest, honorable and always willing to lend a helping hand. I feel lucky to have known him and, on my darker days when I'm down, he is an inspiration to me. I hope that when my time comes, I can emulate his amazing courage and cheerful attitude.

I shall miss him.

*********************************************************************

A Parable of Immortality

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes!'

Gone where? Gone from my sight ... that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, 'There she goes!' there are other eyes watching her coming and their voices ready to take up the glad shouts 'Here she comes!'"

~ by Henry Van Dyke ~

Furball · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2003, 07:03:37 PM »

I recognise the name, but i am unfamiliar with him personally. Your tribute to him is beautiful however.

Its such a shame to get bad news like this, my thoughts are with him and his family.

Maniac · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2003, 07:18:41 PM »

I remember him, both by his 1776 handle and by Oz....

Cancer is shedding to many lives latly

My boss died two weeks ago from brain cancer.

If you are reading this Oz, ím praying that we maybe meet in the afterlife.

Maverick · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2003, 07:59:33 PM »

Toad, Thanks for the notice.

Oz. You are being taken way too soon from the squad and group of friends that are the heart of it. This group transends just a computer game and has bonded to form tight friendships. I wish that you could stay and remain a part of it here and now. If you would buddy, please keep some space set aside for us to meet again so we can continue what God has granted us to start in this life.

May you always bask in His glory. Please know we will not forget. My prayers for you will continue.

~~OZ, SIR!~~

Mini D · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2003, 08:18:34 PM »

I was just wondering about him the other day. I'm sorry to hear things took a turn for the worse.

1776

MiniD

Stringer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:13:57 PM »

I met Oz at our KC lunches.

If you didn't know about his situation, you could never guess at what he was going through. He was always upbeat and quick to laugh at those lunches.

He has demonstrated courage and is a tremendous fighter.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:14:54 PM »

Curval · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:22:11 PM »

Really wanted to meet you Oz.

midnight Target · « **Reply #8 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:33:21 PM »

Tell OZ's Mom that he put this California liberal in his place on many occasions with his intelligence and wit. I salute him for his courage and I'm glad he has friends like Toad and Rude that can share this aspect of his life with his family.

Eagler · « **Reply #9 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:40:38 PM »

1776

I always appreciated your posts as they echoed my own thoughts the majority of the time

~~and Godspeed sir~~

Tarmac · « **Reply #10 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:44:33 PM »

OZ.

In our prayers.

sax · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:45:26 PM »

In the time i've known him never once heard him complain about his condition.
He always made an effort to come out Squad nites to visit--not for his self , but for his squaddies , his friends. He knew how important it was to us that he be there.

My best memory is of the Squad Duel and the nite we won it all.
Oz is by his own addmission the least skilled player in the 13th.
On that nite he got multiple kills in all 3 rounds and was instrumental in our win.
To hear the pride and delight in his voice was and is the best moment I've ever had in AH.

Oz is and always will be my personal standard for what life is really all about.

Oz, I luv ya buddy

To Oz's Mother
Your Son has impacted so many lifes with his strength and caring and I am proud to call him my friend

Yeager · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:54:03 PM »

I havenet had the pleasure of meeting Oz in person but we have played the game together in the 13thTAS for several years.

I know Oz only through his voice but its been a blessing to me to know him and the other guys in the 13th. Ive known of his situation and have always been touched by how happy he is to be online in the game with his friends. I can recall times where Oz would fly a sortie, really get into it and make some damned fine moves -get a victory or three, and then take the next sortie off to do a dot join with one of us and just watch because he had been exhausted from the excitement and thrill of the fight.

Oz is one of those people in life that makes you happy you got the chance to meet them and to play together. I can still hear his voice.

I am thinking of you Oz, your family, and my friends in the 13th.

So long for now.

Your right Sax, that was awesome. Old Oz really came through for us, didnt he.

Hawklore · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2003, 10:24:40 PM »

I didn't know him, but most of us that play AH are brothers no matter what.

jigsaw · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2003, 10:30:57 PM »

and condolences to the family. Lost my dad to cancer when I was 17 and watching my mother battle breast cancer currently. Can definitely relate, but there's really no way to help other than reaching out and praying.