As I am busy recovering my vision in my eye with a strict regimen of drops and ointment, I receive an email from a former customer and continued friend. Her email is very cut and dried and forward from the consultant to the customer who I have worked with in the past.
Dennis, the former IT director, has passed away in a tragic accident.
I am stunned and saddened. This big man, large as life, dedicated to his family and his job, who believed that the people who worked for him had amazing potential and worked with them to realize it, died in a tragic car accident.
The accident was so bad that the consultant, a long time friend of Dennis', had to bring dental records to identify him.
He was young too, in his 50's.
He had grown children, a wife, and grandchildren who meant the world to him.
Something is wrong. It shouldn't have been his time.
It doesn't matter that he no longer worked for the same customer (neither do I), or that I left before he did ( Which I did). What matters is that while we were on the same assignment he was a generous, intelligent and patient man to work with. I enjoyed those meetings with him tremendously and while there are some decisions that he made that I do not agree with, and I am sure the same thing applied to me, there was mutual respect.
I am truly saddened to hear this news and I spent a lot of time with my friend on the phone letting her talk it out and vent. She can't travel to the funeral ( which is today in Georgia) as the company is sending a delegation from NY.
He wasn't a salesman - he was a brilliant communications guy. Either way, his death is a tragedy that truly hit me when I least expected it.
Dennis - my prayers are with you. I hope that you went quickly and without pain. I know that you love your family without question.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
The 23rd Psalm of David~
Rest In Peace Dennis Southern.
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