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Big Al

His passing has been bothering me all day. He was awesome.

A brief eulogy if I may. My apologies as I've never in my live done one before.

I've known Big Al for a long time. His real name is Allen Hutson and his wife is Karen.

We all know his online antics, rants, raves and such but here's some things that I think of when I think about him.

We all love his Dr. Rum stories but in real life, Allen didn't drink. Those stories are for us. I'll remember them dearly but (damn, my eyes are all watery now) those are just great thoughts out of an open mind.

Many of us know he had a place in Panama. Did you know that where his house is down there, there was no school? In 2005-2006, Allen created/developed a school down there for the kids. He mentioned it on this forum and like taking care of our vets, the forum community came through and helped him get this place up and running. All the kids in that area have been receiving an education since.

Speaking of the island, he also did an informal work teaching program and taught the adults of the area specific trades like carpentry which has helped the entire community immensely.

I've also had personal business with Allen. Years ago, he was looking for some heat strips for his barn roof. I had some so we made a trade. We traded his wife's bow for the heat strips. I hope she knows about it... To this day, his wife's bow (a left-handed Hoyt) is my bow of choice. In the package, he slid in a vintage Case pocket knife for my son. What a gift. To be honest, although my son knows about it, I don't let him have it because he has a tendency of losing knives.

Poobah (as I've called him for years) also took care of my son. Hang on, more tears coming out here... From Allen, I have a nice, old, reliable Daisy BB gun. The first gun for my boy and it came from BigAl. Damn, more tears.

Maybe more later but this is hurting too much right now.

Karen - Oh, how I feel sad for you as you've lost a good man. We all know about the camper (and it's shed/building) and your plans for travel. I am so sorry about those anticipated memories you're going to miss. Keep him in your mind and soul and you'll share them as he looks on from high above.

Brian
 
My condolences to his family. Al was a larger than life personality and he will be missed greatly.

I wish I had the time to meet him but our paths never crossed.

All the best Al! I hope they have endless Rum and Dr. Pepper where ever you end up.
 
Snow trac nome called me about this around lunch time...

Had some time to think and to pray for those he left here... And those he cared for for his life.

Never had the chance to meet him, but we did talk on the phone a time or two. Always wished for a chance to ride in his Kirsti, and have him show me the features they have...

Dang life is short. We all need a lesson on that. Don't put off today, what you should have done. Live life as if each day is your last. It may be...

RIP Allen.

Kirk out
 
Dargo asked me to post this for him.


The absolute truth is that I feel as if I've had the wind knocked out of me. Al was much more than he let on. In one conversation with him he was not only very passionate about helping others who were down, but he truly wanted to teach others how to make their lives by leading them through example. After natural disasters, donating his hard earned money wasn't enough. He passionately wanted to travel to affected areas and lead rebuilding people's lives through example. He not only wanted to supply the materials, but he wanted to impart his lifetime learned abilities to help himself. It was his gift to others. If anyone reading this is even somewhat religious, I believe they would agree that God has called home one of the very good ones. Al touched the lives of many, and his training of how to build will touch others for generations. Rest in peace my good friend. You will be missed.
 
Leni said:
Dargo asked me to post this for him.


The absolute truth is that I feel as if I've had the wind knocked out of me. Al was much more than he let on. In one conversation with him he was not only very passionate about helping others who were down, but he truly wanted to teach others how to make their lives by leading them through example. After natural disasters, donating his hard earned money wasn't enough. He passionately wanted to travel to affected areas and lead rebuilding people's lives through example. He not only wanted to supply the materials, but he wanted to impart his lifetime learned abilities to help himself. It was his gift to others. If anyone reading this is even somewhat religious, I believe they would agree that God has called home one of the very good ones. Al touched the lives of many, and his training of how to build will touch others for generations. Rest in peace my good friend. You will be missed.
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One of the many great things I will remember about Al is how after the earthquake in Haiti, He was hell bent and determined he was going to go over and spend a year or so helping to rebuild. The man was truly selfless and always there for those who needed him. I never had the pleasure of meeting him face to face but having chatted with and poked fun at for the past 7 years, I know what kind of a man he is. His legacy will be felt by many for years to come. I will remember him in my prayers. Godspeed:flowers:

May you ride that Krusti through endless trails of happiness for eternity. We will miss you. Tearing up here:sad:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8XJcf-K2k"]Kristi KT3 - YouTube[/ame]
 
May the elk be plentiful my friend. Your compassion for others was an example we all need to follow. RIP old buddy!
 
I had trouble sleeping last night,this is not unusual,but i had Big Al in my mind and i was just trying to think of something that summed up the man that he was, i had so many things in my mind but could not come up with the correct way to say it,it is hard to try in fit in to words what a great man Allen was.

Then it come to me, i once described the actions of a forum member and their posts as being a way of painting a self portrait, with every post you do it is like a brush stroke and in time all that read your posts see a true picture of who you are.

Well Allen's posts were always non-offensive,warm,caring,direct to the point,a little poking at times but with never a glimpse of malice,mostly fun and more than willing to play the fool to draw in much welcome humor.

In doing his posts he slowly but surly crafted himself a portrait to be proud to which any fine gallery around the world would happily hang on their wall,Allen was like his faithful Kristi on the outside a little rough around the edges but inside he was a priceless diamond to which i know will be greatly missed but forever will be remembered with fond memories.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his Family, friends and all that knew and loved him.
 
Unbelievable ................ I'm sure he's already building something for the big guy. God bless the family. There aren't too many times I walk out to my garagemahall that I don't think of Allen, he designed it.

Rest easy bro ................
 
There was a truly good man.

I remember him as a rock and a bottle of glue. A rock solid person that was absolutely dependable and reliable and the glue that held many things together. Among them this site. He will definitely be missed.
 
I’m shocked but somehow I knew something wasn’t right. Hadn’t seen a post from him in awhile and that’s unusual. So sad a day. I just hope he’s in charge of the gate when my time comes.

RIP Al
 
What's really left to say... Hopefully He's found peace on his mountain.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jXrmAKBBTU"]Go Rest High On That Mountain [/ame]
 
I didn't know Al except from reading his post but he was the type of guy I would want for a neighbor and friend. The world will be a sadder place without him but they are rejoicing in heaven. RIP Al
 
Snowtrac Nome said:
I don't know If changing the rant forum would be the way to go but starting a new forum to in memory of him by that name would work as posted earlier it does have a nice ring to it and kind of sounds like the way he really talked in person.
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Was just sitting here thinking back and remembered that Al was a big proponent of the Happy place forum. He was always trying to be happy and even his rants had a humorous tone to them. I was just reading back on a few of his threads about toilets being too small in airplanes and the height of toilets in public restrooms. He was always good for a chuckle and the mood always lightened after he posted. Heaven is a better place now. Maybe we could rename the Happy place forum in honor of Al. I think it would be very fitting.
 
NorthernRedneck said:
Was just sitting here thinking back and remembered that Al was a big proponent of the Happy place forum. He was always trying to be happy and even his rants had a humorous tone to them. I was just reading back on a few of his threads about toilets being too small in airplanes and the height of toilets in public restrooms. He was always good for a chuckle and the mood always lightened after he posted. Heaven is a better place now. Maybe we could rename the Happy place forum in honor of Al. I think it would be very fitting.
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That's a great idea and I second that emotion. Doc, are you listening?
 
On hearing that Al passed PG asked me to post this for her.
"If you want to, you can say that PG heard the news and is heartbroken at the news of Al's passing.
That I remember him most for his teasing, great humour, Dr. Rum,the Krusty, love of garlic shrimp and that dappled Dachshund that I hope he
finally got and his love for Elton John tunes.":flowers:
 
Whoa! I loved Big Al, sure wanted to meet him. Some believe we still can some day. Will there be any in heaven? Lord I want to know before I go... I guess we know :) since it's fairly unanimos where he is. Prayers for those hurting. Hope to see you up the road a spill Al. I'll look forward to pee off your new back porch.
 
muleman said:
On hearing that Al passed PG asked me to post this for her.
"If you want to, you can say that PG heard the news and is heartbroken at the news of Al's passing.
That I remember him most for his teasing, great humour, Dr. Rum,the Krusty, love of garlic shrimp and that dappled Dachshund that I hope he
finally got and his love for Elton John tunes.":flowers:
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You can pass on that I miss her to I kind of liked her woman's touch she brought to the forums.
 
I've made the decision snow trac #2 is not for sale. it will be restored in memory of Big Al as he had always talked about getting one ,if he had ever finished up his kristies
 
To day I pased through a little town called Stover Mo....and sitting there beside the high way was a restored chevy cab over short wheelbased pickup!!! and of course thought of Al wanting one....Now Im sure there were a lot of them made in the late 40s but that was only the 4th one I had ever seen in my lifetime.......dad bought 3 --5ton cab over grain trucks and a long wheel base cab over pickup and two of his brothers each bought a cab over pickup...and until today I have never seen another one.....stoped and looked at it..the guy came out and said ..before I ask ,...it wasnt for sale!!!!!
It was his dads and he just finished it up....he had just rubed out the paint ..

Sure brought back memorys of sitting way up there with Dad....but I have to admit ..it didnt look near as big as it did when I was 5 or 6 years old!!!
sure wish I could of told Al about it!!!
 
Stevie Ray wrote this about the loss of a close friend. He even named one of his guitars after his friend Charlie(he plays it in this video).

In the middle of the song, Stevie says "All We have, ever, is the need to give each other our love, if we forget that, we lose everything we got. Lets remember that and get out of this place alive ok? You better pass around all the love you can in your lifetime."

Al was a really good guy from all I saw him post her over the years, and what some have said about him.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAv5ZuuSxSI"]Stevie Ray Vaughan - Life Without You - YouTube[/ame]
 
EastTexFrank said:
That sums it up!!! Personally I'm still in shock over this news. Perhaps it's because it came on the heels of Jim Inman's passing but it has affected me deeply.

I've lost 'way too many friends this year.
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Remember when we were younger it seemed like every month or so there was a wedding to attend. Now it's funerals. Part of the aging process for sure but it sure doesn't get any easier. I've always believed the the old adage that the good die young.

Sayonara Al.
 
It has been a pleasure and comforting to read such thoughtful comments, thank you all so much for taking the time to reflect so fondly of our dear Big Al.
 
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