In October my Uncle Rusty came to visit, like he always does. We were visiting up at the farm and the girls were getting over the "Swine Flu"! We got to visit with him a little bit, but not very much. He ran around for a couple of weeks and then headed back to Michigan. Less than a month later he passed away. 
This is the last time we saw him.
My Uncle Rusty was #10 out of 11 children, my Dad being the baby. Here they are with Uncle Rusty strangling my Dad! Brotherly Love at it's Finest!
Uncle Rusty served in the Army
He then headed to Michigan where he worked and retired from General Motors.
Uncle Rusty LOVED, LOVED, LOVED music! Especially Bluegrass! If it had strings, he was going to play it! Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro, anything he could get his hands on. He wrote and had memorized hundreds of songs. He had groups and associations that he would play with often.
(Grandma Bassham, Me and Uncle Rusty)
This is the last time we saw him.My Uncle Rusty was #10 out of 11 children, my Dad being the baby. Here they are with Uncle Rusty strangling my Dad! Brotherly Love at it's Finest!Uncle Rusty served in the ArmyHe then headed to Michigan where he worked and retired from General Motors.Uncle Rusty LOVED, LOVED, LOVED music! Especially Bluegrass! If it had strings, he was going to play it! Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro, anything he could get his hands on. He wrote and had memorized hundreds of songs. He had groups and associations that he would play with often.(Grandma Bassham, Me and Uncle Rusty)Uncle Rusty never married and didn't have any kids. I really benefited from that!
Whenever the Circus or Fair was in town he would get tickets and take me! He would also buy me "different" kinds of gifts for my birthday and Christmas. Usually he and my Dad would play with them more than I did.
He would come over at least once a week when we lived in Michigan. He would always bring me a "Poke". A Poke is a brown paper sack with surprises inside. Sometimes it would be candy, toys, and treats! Other times it would be a half used roll of duct tape, a door knob and a piece of rope! You just never knew! But it was always a surprise and I always looked forward to them as a little girl. 
Uncle Rusty was quite a character. He was not a shy, quiet fellow by any means. He came up with crazy ideas and liked to aggravate people just for fun! He had an unbelievable amount of trivia memorized! He could tell you every king that ever reigned and when they reigned and when they died. He could tell you every County seat in the entire country and distances between different cities! It was amazing how much stuff he knew like that!
(Summer and Uncle Rusty)
Whenever the Circus or Fair was in town he would get tickets and take me! He would also buy me "different" kinds of gifts for my birthday and Christmas. Usually he and my Dad would play with them more than I did.He would come over at least once a week when we lived in Michigan. He would always bring me a "Poke". A Poke is a brown paper sack with surprises inside. Sometimes it would be candy, toys, and treats! Other times it would be a half used roll of duct tape, a door knob and a piece of rope! You just never knew! But it was always a surprise and I always looked forward to them as a little girl. Uncle Rusty was quite a character. He was not a shy, quiet fellow by any means. He came up with crazy ideas and liked to aggravate people just for fun! He had an unbelievable amount of trivia memorized! He could tell you every king that ever reigned and when they reigned and when they died. He could tell you every County seat in the entire country and distances between different cities! It was amazing how much stuff he knew like that!(Summer and Uncle Rusty)He enjoyed coming to visit and seeing how big my kids were getting.
When I called him before his last trip down here, I was asking him when he was coming, so I could make sure I cleared my schedule to see him. He said "Well, 95% of the reason I come down there is to see your girls".
I'm glad that my girls got to meet and know and play with Uncle Rusty. He was a good Uncle! I'm glad they will have those memories of him!
He was buried down here, in the same cemetery as all the rest of our family. He had a nice funeral-short and sweet. John and I both spoke and the girls sang 'I Am a Child of God'! He had many of his friends, family and music fans in attendance.
Whenever Uncle Rusty would come over, he always brought "House Shoes". He would take off his shoes on the porch and put on his house shoes before he came in. So then when it was time to go he would change his shoes again. Then he would wave to everyone and NOT say Goodbye, he would say "So Long For Now"! Since I know that I will see him again someday, that's what I will say back to him...
When I called him before his last trip down here, I was asking him when he was coming, so I could make sure I cleared my schedule to see him. He said "Well, 95% of the reason I come down there is to see your girls".
I'm glad that my girls got to meet and know and play with Uncle Rusty. He was a good Uncle! I'm glad they will have those memories of him! He was buried down here, in the same cemetery as all the rest of our family. He had a nice funeral-short and sweet. John and I both spoke and the girls sang 'I Am a Child of God'! He had many of his friends, family and music fans in attendance.
Whenever Uncle Rusty would come over, he always brought "House Shoes". He would take off his shoes on the porch and put on his house shoes before he came in. So then when it was time to go he would change his shoes again. Then he would wave to everyone and NOT say Goodbye, he would say "So Long For Now"! Since I know that I will see him again someday, that's what I will say back to him...So Long for Now Uncle Rusty. We Love and Miss You!
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