A tribute to George a.k.a Flounder

Discussion in 'Announcements & Community Discussions' started by FlounderJr, Mar 15, 2015.

  1. FlounderJr

    FlounderJr New Member

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    It is with my deepest regret to inform the friends of George (flounder) here on PF that he has recently passed away. My name is Chris, I am Georges son. I know this website meant a lot to him, he often told me about his friends here and how he enjoyed speaking with so many different types of people. It makes me happy to hear from those of you who have reached out and were kind enough to tell me about his interaction with you.. I don't think I have read one with dry eyes. It amazes me how the words you all have used to describe him could not be more accurate. That even through a computer screen for a few years it was as if you had known my father his whole life. I can promise you meant just as much to him as he did to you and so I felt it right to introduce myself and tell you a little about the man behind flounder…

    George was a man interested in anything and everything, from music to the great outdoors. He had a talent for guitar and an unbelievable voice while his favorite place to be was fishing at the lake or walking 18 holes at the nearest golf course.The man was a pioneer in his industry, single handedly changing and paving the way for the insurance industry. A salesman among salesman and the never give up attitude was the combination that made him so successful. He was married to a wife he loved dearly and it was through that marriage he found his ultimate love in life...his family. Being a father was everything to him, and he showed it.

    If you knew me you knew my father, my best friend and the closest relationship a father/son could possibly have. From catch in the driveway to walking Mountaineer Field and the sand traps in between, my dad was always by my side every step of the way. He taught me life lessons, gave advice on anything and everything while at the same time always letting me do it my way. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor, father, caddy, coach, best friend and I'll take everything I've learned from that man and pass it along to my children..as I have fully understood that to be the mark of a first-class fathers job well done.

    George was a gentleman among gentleman, his love of helping and speaking to people was a rarity these days and he truly found comfort in doing so. He will be greatly missed by so many but I feel thankful to have known such a great man, and so proud to have been able to call him my father. RIP pop.
     
  2. Smartmouthwoman

    Smartmouthwoman Bless your heart Past Donor

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    I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of our friend, Flounder. He was one of the first people I met when I joined this forum and a good friend to me from day one. Always the voice of reason, his presence among us will be sorely missed.

    Deepest condolences to you and your family, Chris. As much as we'll miss him here, your family must be devastated at this unexpected loss. You've given him a loving tribute and I'm sure there's not a person on this forum who didn't respect and admire your dad. He was truly one of a kind.

    My sweet friend Flounder will be missed. :hug:

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Falena

    Falena Cherry Bomb Staff Member Past Donor

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    This community lost a very valuable member. Not just a member, but a friend to many. George was that kind of guy. Always there to help anyway he could and add a gentle touch along the way. His old school ways of being real, true, honest and loyal couldn't go unnoticed. The qualities stood out like a beacon in the fog at times. That beacon is not extinguished with Georges passing. It lives on in his family and everyone he touched.

    Ive had conversations with George about death. He believed death to be a portal. A portal to a whole new wonderful adventure. He didn't fear death. He looked upon it as the next adventure.

    George said it best.
    http://www.politicalforum.com/showthread.php?t=370245&p=1064190427#post1064190427
    For Chris and his family, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss.
    For everyone who knew George, you all also have my deepest sympathy.

    Rest In Peace, Uncle George.


    [video=youtube;pwp1CH5R-w4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwp1CH5R-w4[/video]
     
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  4. daisydotell

    daisydotell Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Condolences to you and your family Chris, your father was a great person.

    He was a go to person for many of us here, he would always give good advice. A calming effect was felt when he was around, not many have that virtue but he had it and it showed. That is why he was a good moderator, he never lost his cool. He will be missed by many.

    He was a good friend.
     
  5. Shangrila

    Shangrila staff Past Donor

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    My sincerest condolences to you and your entire family. Your Dad will be missed for sure, but I know that our loss is his gain.

    Hugs to you and yours
    Shangrila
     
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  6. AlphaOmega

    AlphaOmega Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Oh no, this is sad. My deepest condolences. I had a private conversation with your dad a while back and we got to talking about guitars and I remember thinking what a great guy. It sounds like that was the norm for everyone else as well. The sign of a good man. Especially good to hear his son speak so highly of him. No one ever truly dies as long as they live in the fond memories of the people they have touched throughout their lives.
     
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  7. Trinnity

    Trinnity Banned

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    I'm sobbing. Flounder was my friend and a member of The Quorum. I can't believe he's gone - he was a GOOD man, a kind man. This is a sad day. Chris, if such a thing is possible on internet forums, your dad was loved by a lot of people here. He will be missed and we would have been tortured if he'd just "disappeared". It was very thoughtful of you to let us know.
     
  8. JohnnyMo

    JohnnyMo Moderator Staff Member Donor

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    Chris,

    Your Dad and I shared many interesting and unique conversations, as well as our love for our kids, boats, music and more. George (Dave as I knew him) was one of a kind and will be missed greatly. I'm tearing up just trying to accept that your Dad has moved on.

    So long my friend,
     
  9. Gatewood

    Gatewood Well-Known Member

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    I knew George only in his capacity as the moderator known to us as Flounder, and his integrity and sense of fair play and humor impressed me. I am glad that in the real world he was also a wonderful man, husband, and father. Thank you for informing us of his passing.

    Best regards,

    Gatewood
     
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  10. Virgil Jones

    Virgil Jones Member Past Donor

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    [video=youtube;Qni5bIN5qmU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpag e&v=Qni5bIN5qmU[/video]
     
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  11. KSigMason

    KSigMason Banned at Members Request Past Donor

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    I'm sorry to hear your loss. I knew your father from this forum and enjoyed his company. RIP Flounder
     
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  12. Karma Mechanic

    Karma Mechanic Well-Known Member

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    I am indeed sorry for your loss. May his soul be bound in the arms of the eternal and may his memory always bring a blessing.
     
  13. Daily Bread

    Daily Bread New Member

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    Rest in peace Flounder. You were the voice of reason . A friend to many . Respected by all.
    From Montauk to Seattle
    ontherocks1.jpg
     
  14. Cubed

    Cubed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    A sad day for the PF to be sure. Flounder was a wonderful man who helped me out whenever I had questions about how to be a staff member. He has left a legacy to be lived up too.

    RIP
     
  15. PoliticalForum

    PoliticalForum Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm so sorry for your loss, Chris.

    Thanks for coming on board to share more about your father.

    I didn't know George very well personally, but I know he was a unique individual who put lots of his time and energy into PF over the years, and we appreciate what he did here on PF.

    I know he will be missed by many.
     
  16. RPA1

    RPA1 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Sorry to hear of your loss Chris. George 'Flounder' helped me when I did a short stint as moderator here. I always appreciated his kind manner and his intellect. I will miss him here. Prayers to you and your family.
     
  17. RevAnarchist

    RevAnarchist New Member Past Donor

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    Oh my! Flounder has passed? First my heart goes out to you his son. My mom and dad passed recently so I know a little bit what you are going through. Thanks so much for notifying us! God bless you Flounder Jr!

    I really respected and loved flounder and can hardly believe he is gone! I fussed good naturerdly' with him that he didn't take the side of the religious folks enough but man I sure wish I had known if he was ill. God bless you George, RIP brother, it wont be long before I see you again....

    reva

    ps George had a friend named hillbilly who was banned here. I know they were good buds but may have had a falling out before he was banned. If anyone knows how to reach hillbilly I sure wish they would get the message to him~
     
  18. Smartmouthwoman

    Smartmouthwoman Bless your heart Past Donor

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    Consider it done, my friend.
     
  19. Herkdriver

    Herkdriver New Member

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    Chris, my sincerest condolences for the loss of your father. I only knew George through this forum, but I can with confidence state that the World has lost a good man. May he rest in peace, and may God grant your family the solace in knowing your Dad is in a better place.
     
  20. Dark Star

    Dark Star Senior Admin Staff Member Donor

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    RevAnarchist,

    That's a terrific idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I think I may be able to figure out how to reach him. There are a couple of things I can try. If anyone else can think of any other friends of his who are no longer active here, but should be notified of this, please let me know. I'll be happy to try to reach them.

    I didn't know George as well as I would have liked to have known him, but I always assumed that as time passed I'd have the opportunity to get to know him better. The irony of that assumption probably requires no elaboration. Others who knew him longer than I, and knew him better than I, can speak more eloquently and more accurately of all the unique things that made George George, but as I wondered over the last few days about the most appropriate thing for me to say, I keep going back to the central theme of the eulogy I wrote for my father several years ago. And the more I think about that particular sentiment, the more strongly I feel that it applies to George, as well.

    George and I never spoke much about our religious or spiritual beliefs, but we didn't have much in common on that subject. But you don't have to believe in a heaven, or for that matter any sort of afterlife at all, in order to believe that for most of us, the essence of who we are never really dies. As we live our lives, and share them with others... as our paths cross the paths that others are following on their personal journeys... we share with those people some of who we are, some of what makes each of us uniquely "us." The best parts of us - the aspects of our selves that others respect, and find admirable, and want to emulate - become examples to those who respect us and admire us, and they take those characteristics onboard and incorporate those aspects of who we are into their own personalities. And long after we're gone from this life, the good of who we are - the best of who we are - lives on in the way those people treat the people whose lives they touch, just as George touched all of ours.

    And in his capacity as a moderator, and later administrator, of Political Forum, George was in a position to touch a great many lives. The board as a whole, and many of the members of the site, will forever be somewhat different - and somewhat better - for having taken on some of the best of who George was. The best of who George was will live on in this site, and every member of this site, many years after he is gone. And for that, I will always be grateful and appreciative of the man.

    Thank you, George.
     
  21. cenydd

    cenydd Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    My deepest condolences to you and your family, and to everyone who knew George. We who only met him through this virtual world can scarcely imagine your loss, of course.

    In many ways, Flounder and I could hardly have been more different - different continents and countries, different backgrounds and cultures, different opinions and tastes, and often very different political ideas. Throughout my time here though, as both a member and a fellow moderator, we had many fascinating discussion on all kinds of subjects (often from very different points of view), and especially about music (though there were many differences between us on that, too!). He was so obviously a man of great intelligence, wisdom, grace and humour, and that shone through both in his debates and as a member of staff here - on every subject, his was an opinion always well worth listening to. Though we never met, it was both a pleasure and an honour to debate and work with him here, and to call him a friend even if one only ever known through the computer screen.

    I know how much he will be missed around this place - few people here will have been so widely liked and respected among peers and 'opponents' alike. I know that is nothing compared with his loss in the real world, but please know that he has left his mark in this virtual place in the most positive way possible, and that he will be remembered.
     
  22. tecoyah

    tecoyah Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It seems you already know this Chris, but I feel the need to say it anyway. You father was a good man, intellectual powerhouse, funny in debate and discussion, and a general respect magnet. He will be missed here as I am sure he is there....I have tears in my eyes right now, seriously.
     
  23. Trinnity

    Trinnity Banned

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    You guys are making me cry. Again.

    RIP, George. Godspeed.
     
  24. Durandal

    Durandal Well-Known Member Donor

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    I had the pleasure of interacting with Flounder in his function as moderator. He certainly seemed a good fellow and I he will be missed.
     
  25. justonemorevoice

    justonemorevoice Well-Known Member

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    Wow. Im truly sad by this. One thing i can say for sure about your dad is this: he had a wonderful sense of humor. He could make any situation into something funny. He bragged about his family and the great love yall shared. He was immensely proud of yall. I know he will be sorely missed.

    I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

    May he rest in peace and have a speedy journey into his home up above.....he will be watching over your family from God's house.
     
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