Editorial by Bill Thomas
Some say if you have three good friends in your life, you’re a lucky man. I must say that my luck has been abundant. When my family and I moved to Madisonville just a bit over eight years ago, we went through the normal new-in-town steps of finding a physician, dentist, hair dresser, barber, and other necessary people for living. I make friends pretty quickly, guess it comes with the territory of ministry. Not long after our arrival, someone at church told me, “You need to meet Don Clayton and that bunch of guys in the train club.” You see, I included my fascination of trains in my bio that went out to my church – why not?
That was the beginning of what is still a wonderful relationship I have with those of you in our chapter. Outside the chapter meetings we gathered at the Clayton home and while Wally smoked up the basement with lamp oil, several of us sat around the table, on the fireplace hearth, and floor to ramble about railroading, women, taxes, and several other topics. Dennis Carnal was always in the seat on the north side of the room or at least it seemed that way. With his bowl of peanut M&Ms he’d munch away, sharing his colorful treats with me and Liam, who was then only 4 or 5.
Liam is now 12! He and I were both fortunate enough to see Dennis at our house the Saturday before he passed. He had a way of popping in and carrying on a conversation with you while you continued to whatever odd job you may be in the middle of. This was the case on that Saturday afternoon. I’m in the pool (74 degree water) painting the deck and Dennis is sitting at the patio table. We talked about everything under the sun.
That was the beauty of my friendship with Dennis. We could talk about anything, while doing anything, and enjoy it. Dennis could appear a little rough around the edges at times, but he had a soft spot for my kids. A few Christmases ago he dropped by with a nice stuffed Santa for them and even that Saturday around the pool, he gave Joe a dollar because the cheap-o tooth fairy only left him a quarter the night before.
I admired the way he cared for his mother in her last days. I was privileged to officiate the grave-side burial service for her. I know Dennis had a love for his dogs. Not so much for cats, but deep down I think he took to mine ok.
As Ricky as already stated in his column, Dennis had a remarkable gift for recalling railroad information, especially when it came to locomotives on the L&N.
He always told me I wasn’t a normal minister and I usually questioned him about that statement. As I grew to know and love Dennis as a friend, I guess I figured I kind of knew what he meant in a positive way. I look forward to seeing him again some day and if your theology allows you to believe that, I’m glad. Feel free to join us!
If I can find a free Thursday evening in the near future, I’d like to have Dennis’ friends over to the back yard just to give the Old Goat a roast in memoriam. I’ll be in touch. I think it would do us all good.