ericj 1,576 #1 Posted January 28, 2018 (edited) Just about 3 weeks ago got a call that dad had been in an accident and was in the hospital, seemed he blacked out/ had a mini stroke or something and ran off the road and hit an electric pole. He was supposed to be on oxygen but for whatever reason would not do it just like he wouldn't wear a seat belt. He broke 5 ribs and with his COPD was having a hard time breathing. seemed to be doing better Wednesday night when I got to the hospital, but Wednesday night about midnight the hospital called my brother and wanted to put him on the vent. my brother made the decision to put him on the vent. I knew with my experience with my daughter when she was born and had to be on a vent, that you can only be on it for so long. Me and my 2 brothers decide we didn't want to keep him around if he didn't have any quality of life left. So we made the decision to take him off the vent instead of doing a trake and letting him just lay there. He has really missed mom since she passed away a little over 3 years ago, they had been married for 58 years when she passed. So Friday we took him off the vent and he passed away about an hour and a half later with his boys around him peacefully in his sleep. Dad is the reason I'm into wheel horses in the first place. He bought the first 112 AUTO wheel horse in 73 and shortly there after bought the D200 that I still have. In 86 or 87 he traded the 12 AUTO in on a 417-8 with electric lift, witch I still have also. The other year I found a one owner 73 12 AUTO and added it to my collection Two years ago he gave me his prized 1993 Dodge W250 that i use to pull my trailer to the shows I will miss him very much. he was a good man. god bless you James Edward Johnson or as his family knew him ED and his work buddies knew as Jim. he is in a better place now and back with mom, probably vacationing in sunny Florida. while he liked the snow in his early years he was tired of the cold and snow as he grew older and bought a camper to go south as a snowbird in the winter. Being a professional truck driver all my life also made him tired of winter too. I want to thank @Big_Red_Fred for trying to start this thread but apparently somebody mistook me for another Eric on here. it's all good life is too short to get mad at someone over a simple mistake eric j p.s. he had turned 81 Dec 6th Edited January 28, 2018 by ericj 12 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #2 Posted January 28, 2018 So sorry for your loss... RIP Jim. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,296 #3 Posted January 28, 2018 Sorry for your loss Eric. Your Dad would be proud of your heartfelt write up and understand the difficult decisions you and your brothers had to make. As painful as it is I truly feel that you three managed to set your feelings aside and do what your Dad wanted you to do. Our prayers are with you all. 8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #4 Posted January 28, 2018 My thoughts and condolences are with you Eric. "The other Eric" 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,121 #5 Posted January 28, 2018 Very sorry to read this, he sounded like a great father. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,369 #6 Posted January 28, 2018 My condolences, Jeff. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WNYPCRepair 1,875 #7 Posted January 28, 2018 Sorry for your loss. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ztnoo 2,298 #8 Posted January 28, 2018 It's really hard to let them go, but sometimes its the most humane thing to do. My dad passed 6 1/2 years ago at the age of 91. He lived a rich and full life, and as a family physician bought many into this world and cared for them along the course of their lives. There's hardly a day that goes by that I don't wish he was still here to ask him something I don't know about or just chit chat. I was so fortunate to be his son. So sorry for your loss. I've been there myself, so I know how much it hurts. Peace be with you and your family. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,909 #9 Posted January 28, 2018 Sorry for your loss Eric. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #10 Posted January 28, 2018 I'm always a phone call away Brother, He's doing much better now, better then any of us ! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,863 #11 Posted January 28, 2018 Very sorry for yours and your brothers' loss. I am sure it was an extremely decision to make but an inevitable one. Glad that he was surrounded by all of you .May he rest in piece. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #12 Posted January 28, 2018 I am sorry for you and your family's loss. I'm sure he is happy to be with your mom again. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cable 179 #13 Posted January 28, 2018 I was saddened to hear that your dad had passed. The decision you and your brothers had to make is a tough one, a very tough one. You are blessed that all three of you felt the same way. Sometimes that isn’t the case and family can be torn apart. Sounds to me that your brothers are a pretty good bunch. Ed raised some good boys. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,775 #14 Posted January 28, 2018 Sorry to hear of your loss, you will have fond memories of your dad when driving his / 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,981 #15 Posted January 28, 2018 Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. So sorry for your loss.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #16 Posted January 28, 2018 Man, sorry to hear that . We were sort of lucky - my Dad passed in his sleep after years of several health issues - I consider him one of the lucky ones and only hope I can go the same way. Still miss him all the time - he's the one that drove my mechanical skills and taught so much about life in general - it's something you can never pay back except to live up to being the same caring person they once were. That's a tough decision for a family, but doing the right thing in the end I think is easier than the alternative, my uncle went through that and lived far too long in a bed waiting to die - that made a bad situation far worse. Prayers for your family and nice you've shared the loss with us here - we're family too as you know. Sarge 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,978 #17 Posted January 28, 2018 Sorry to hear the sad news. As you said, he is in a better place and with your mom. Our dads stay with us forever, even after they're gone. Jim 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,175 #18 Posted January 28, 2018 Godspeed... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,954 #19 Posted January 28, 2018 My best wishes for you and your family Eric. So sorry to hear this. It’s not an easy decision to make at all. Peace be with you my friend! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,062 #20 Posted January 28, 2018 Sorry for your loss , I know it was a hard decision to make. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,848 #21 Posted January 28, 2018 So sorry for your loss Eric. Wish I had some magic words to ease the pain of losing a loved one, but only time will help. Thanks for the call on Wed., You know where I am brother. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,528 #22 Posted January 29, 2018 Very sorry for your loss. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,814 #23 Posted January 29, 2018 All of the above x 2 Prayers 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,861 #24 Posted January 29, 2018 Sorry for your loss. You 3 brothers showed you greates love for him. Sound like you have great memories of him. I'm God bless each of you 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,814 #25 Posted January 30, 2018 I gottta add to my post Eric and I feel for ya in so many ways. My stubborn Dad is 86 and to see him withering away from a wise strapping big man to a withering old fool and it's not a fun thing to be a part of. Age has a way of dealing with it all and be consoled that you and your bros have done the right thing.Trust me you do not want to go thru the things my family is going thru. I pray every day that he (my dad) will go peacefully in his sleep like his (my granddad) did and hopefully I will.. Prayers again. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites