What’s Up in Odenville
The past couple of weeks have been difficult ones as I have been mourning the loss of my best guy friend Lynn Brasher. Lynn and I went to school together and our families became very close these past few years. He was diagnosed in December with esophageal cancer and began treatments soon after. His cancer was aggressive and even though the treatments were also aggressive, he was unable to recover after a collapsed lung put him in SICU on July 4. On July 12, 8 days after being admitted, Lynn lost his battle. His family lost a husband, father, son and brother. I lost my best friend.
I was asked to speak at his celebration of life service. While honored, I was also worried that I may not be able to get through it without falling apart or that my words would not adequately convey what he meant to so many people. Somehow I did it, and I’d like to share my words with you, the readers.
My Friend Lynn
We are all here today to celebrate the life of Lynn Brasher. Through our broken hearts and tears, there is still a joy that fills all of us because we were blessed to have Lynn in our lives. To say it was an adventure would be an understatement, but one you were happy to be on. Just look around this room today.
Lynn was my friend. He was YOUR friend. He was a son, a brother, a husband and a daddy. Each one of us had a relationship with Lynn that was different, special. And different. I read a post on FB where someone had said he was a lot of things to a lot of people. That is so true. For me personally he was the big brother I always wanted. He was the pick on you and torture you in that big brother fashion (even though he was only older by 5 months) and he did so every chance he got.
He was hilarious, fun loving (it wasn’t a party unless Lynn showed up) and he was generous. He would give you the shirt off his back even if it was the last one he had. There’s no telling what was on it, but he’d give it to you. He was a hot mess, his antics could try the patience of a Saint but at the end of the day that was part of what made us all love him. He lived hard, like there was no tomorrow and he loved even harder. But there was more to Lynn that what met the eye. What you saw was what you got, but he was so much more than that. He was REAL. And there will never be anyone else like him.
Lynn had cancer. Stage 4 esophageal cancer and while I know he was scared, he was determined that he was “going to beat this thing”. He would go for dr visits and treatments, and post hilarious inappropriate comments like “here I am for ‘Tequlia Tuesday” while hooked up to his treatment lines. This past week while he was in the hospital he was still making jokes. Here he is with tubes and wires and an oxygen mask and he is giving me a hard time about my driving skills (or lack thereof) He lifts up his mask and says “we all know Trese is a bad driver. I can’t tell you how many times I came by his shop and asked him “can you fix this”?
Jessica [his wife] told me a story that is in true Lynn fashion. They were driving somewhere and he looks at her and says “So when are we gonna get married?” She if course is taken by surprise and asks why did they need to get married and he said “because it would save us a lot of money on insurance.”
I am so grateful for the time I had with him. I’m going to miss my friend more than I can ever express But in true Erwin High School Class of 87 spirit, I will Never Say Goodbye, I will simply say I love you and until I see you again my friend.
Barry Lynn Brasher June 25, 1968 – July 12, 2017
Happenings Around Town
Look out because rocks are HOT! The rock craze has hit Odenville and there is no telling where you might find one. This a wonderful indoor/outdoor activity you can do with your kids, or for adults who want to get in touch with their inner child. If you find a rock, snap a pic and post to St. Clair County Rocks on Facebook and then re-hide for others to find. You can also paint rocks and hide them and post hints so that other people can search and hide. Let’s see how far your rocks will travel.
Central Supply Company is set to have their Grand Opening for their new location on Hwy 174 next to the Odenville Utilities shop Tuesday August 15th, 18 years to the day from when they opened their location on Hwy 411 in 1999. More information as it becomes available. We look forward to having them back in the community.
OYAA News
The Odenville Saints 12U AllStar team made a trip to the Dizzy Dean World Series in South Haven Mississippi this past weekend but were unable to bring home the championship. They are the defending World Series champions from 2016 and was hoping to make it two in a row. The Saints came out swinging with a 5-3 win over Germantown but fell short in the next two games. The boys and coaches represented our community well and we are very proud of their accomplishments. Congrats guys!
OYAA is still signing up for the 10,11,12 year old Saints football team. Park President Marlon Mashburn says “We have a clean slate of coaches committed to the kids at OYAA and are looking forward to a great season.” If your child is interested in playing football call Football Commissioner Chris Culverhouse at 205-616-7524.
Local Events
The Chance Isbell Memorial Fishing Tournament will be held Friday September 2nd on the Henry Neely at Greensport. Chance passed away in a tragic car accident July 1, 2017.
Entry fee is $75 per person with a $1000 guaranteed payout. Registration will be held that morning starting at 4 a.m., with Blast off at safe light and weigh in at 3 p.m. Breakfast will be provided and lunch will be available for purchase from Charlie’s BBQ. For more information, contact Nathan George at (205) 352-5855.
That’s all for this week. Send your Odenville news to odenvillenews@gmail.com.