Friday, February 20, 2009

Bobby Carraway Passed Away

A friend of mine passed away this past Wednesday after trying unsuccessfully to overcome massive injuries he sustained in a work related accident. Last month Bobby was helping one of his neighbors while working on a piece of heavy machinery when a tree limb knocked him down and into the machinery.

Emergency folks had him air lifted to the hospital where teams of doctors and nurses did their best to prolong Bobby’s life; however it wasn’t to be. His funeral is set for this coming Saturday.

It’s been quite a while since I watched the movie, To Kill a Mockingbird. I remember a courtroom scene where the entire gallery on the second floor stood up in silent recognition for the efforts of Atticus Finch as he exited the building. His young son was there and didn’t understand until an elderly Black gentleman explained it to him. “A great man is leaving the room.” The line may have been slightly different; but the meaning remains unchanged.

Bobby Carraway’s name wasn’t listed in the Chronicle, not even in the obituary section; perhaps because he lived up near Magnolia so far out of the Houston area. I don’t suppose his name will show up in the Church News since he wasn’t a prominent leader of the Church.

I got to work with Bobby each Wednesday evening at the Houston Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Often times he’d be sore from driving a tractor while helping one of the sisters in his area get a field leveled, from pulling up tree stumps or any number of service oriented jobs for which the only pay he received was a hand shake and a smile of gratitude. Bobby Carraway lived and understood, “that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

So, as we say goodbye to my friend, Bobby Carraway; take off your hat and quietly stand, a great man is leaving the room.

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