After eating he would say 'That was good'

Recently two readers of my personal columns asked me about my columns. I just flat-out haven't gotten them written.

This column is somewhat different than most of the columns I have written. I have never dedicated any of my columns in the past, but I am dedicating this one to the late Del Potter.

He lived most of his life in Fort Scott. He passed away most likely on Saturday, Feb. 2. His body was found in his home on Tuesday, Feb. 5. While he lived in Fort Scott and had a business in Fort Scott, he had an impact on many people in Vernon County and several were familiar with him. There were Vernon County residents included in the people that through his counseling were able to get out of debt.

Others from Vernon County knew him well, including Marion Shrimplin. Del, Marion and two others sang together for a period of time, performing at a number of places including Bushwhacker Days. He often talked about that group and how Marion added to the fun. After retiring, the Rev. Lester Thornton served the church for a period of time where Del was the leader of music.

I was not able to attend the services in honor of Del, which were held Sunday. We went to Conway, Ark., where I attended the Beast Feed Saturday night sponsored by Second Baptist Church. I went with my son Greg and grandson Brenton. There were 2,450 men and boys in attendance. That is a possible story for another column.

Don Doherty gave a eulogy at the service and I was honored by Don asking me to write some things that I remembered about Del. He read what I had written at the service. He said that he did not use the sentence where I mentioned Don's name.

I merely added some more to the things I remembered about Del to write this column. The following is what I had written.

It is difficult to say only a few words about remembering Del Potter. He has been a special person in my life and for many other people. I will miss him and the good relationship I had with him.

I had heard about Del and his ability to help people with their finances. I have also had the good fortune to work with Don Doherty for a number of years. When Del and Don shared offices, I became acquainted with Del. During the years I have had many opportunities to talk with Del.

He was a person with many interests. The most meaningful to him was his family. Those who were important to him included his brother and his family, his sister-in-law and his nephews and nieces. He often talked about his parents and his late brother.

Del often talked about a number of subjects. His special interest was music, where he had many experiences, including singing in a quartet. He was involved with the music at his church for a number of years.

One of his plans for the future was to continue his involvement in music. He often talked about his cats, laughing at the things his cats did. He enjoyed his garden and often talked about it. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially basketball.

Del took pride in being involved with remodeling of a home and how he enjoyed it. He often talked about his career as a bill collector. As a finance counselor, he enjoyed helping people and was disappointed when he was not able to help his clients.

He sometimes talked about his experiences when he was a student and growing up. He was well informed on the Mid-East and other places and people in the news.

Del was a person that was good to give courage and praise to others. An example is the encouragement he gave to me when he read my personal columns that were published in the paper. I made copies of the columns and gave them to him. As an English major, he could have shown me my many errors and how I could have improved the columns. He did not do that, instead he took a red pencil and underlined the points he liked in the columns and would make positive notes. He indicated that he liked my columns, my style and what I had to say. He looked forward to reading each column and encouraged me to write the columns.

Not only did I visit with him many times at the office. He and I often had lunch together. I made a point when going to Fort Scott to be available for lunch if our schedules allowed us to have lunch together. Many of our conversations were at lunch. Nearly always when we had finished eating he would say, "That was good" or something similar.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to have known Del in this life experience. He did many things that make our society better. His struggles that he had in this life are now over and he is at peace. Death as we know it is not the end of the road, but a curve in the road.

My deepest sympathy is extended to his family and friends. Del, until we meet again, good-bye.