As the sun sets on a great legend of
our sport I wanted to let everyone know Stacy Groscup's memorial service was
held on September 20, 2005 and a huge crowd showed up to pay their respects to
an icon, friend and hero.
The tribute was beautiful and featured
an Indian drum & flute ceremony, as well as other music and several
ministers who shared their views on Stacy's life and passing. Dr. Marvin Frame
delivered a great eulogy. Dr. Frame had known Stacy and been friends with him
for over 50 years.
There was also a slide show during the
ceremony that featured "a lifetime of memories". These were quiet reminders of
a great man's life, friendships & family.
My wife Amanda and hunting
buddy/minister/close friend Rev. Frank "TEX" Frye attended the ceremony with
me. As we left the service I realized that Stacy had been gone almost a week
and yet I still had not fully accepted his passing. As we left the Church to
drive down the road to a family gathering, I took a side trip and drove down
Stacy's driveway on his beloved "magic mountain" as he often called it.
Amanda and I had been there before but
I wanted to show Frank where this great man had lived with his loving wife and
kids. As we came down the wooded drive about 12 or 15 turkey greeting us and
scattered down the drive. I saw many things that brought back memories of my
times there, from packing for hunting trips to shooting in the front yard just
last September. I could also see the huge oak tree that he was so fond of near
the back of his home. This was a special place and there were subtle reminders
of his life every where you looked.
My eyes misted over but I felt a peace
come over me. I could feel Stacy's presence and it calmed me and I said out
loud to my wife and Frank, " I understand. I can accept this now and am ok with
it..." I finally had peace with and an understanding of what had
happened.
It was a warm feeling that Stacy would
somehow always be with me in spirit and in the various memories I'll carry with
me the rest of my days. It may be a bright star in a wide sky that twinkles
just a little brighter than the rest, the sound of a fresh mountain stream, or
the Spring gobble of a turkey... or perhaps like Ted Nugent's song, it would be
"In the Wind" or maybe in a sunset. Perhaps it would be in a bright moon like
the ones he used to share with his grand daughter Shawna... but there would
always be simple reminders of this great man. Somehow he'll always let us know his spirit is around.
I now will celebrate Stacy's life and
rejoice in the fact that he's no longer limited to his frail, worn out body
here. He is in Heaven now with papa Bear and our sport's other legends. I
suppose by now Stacy is wowing them with his gift of gab & shooting skills
and that wide smile. Sti-Ute my friend, I hope to share a stage with you
again someday.
THE GROSCUP FAMILY HAS
ASKED ME TO THANK ALL OF YOU READING THESE WORDS THAT HAVE WRITTEN TRIBUTES,
EMAILS, CARDS, LETTERS OR FLOWERS AND MADE PHONE CALLS. YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT
AND MEMORIES OF STACY HAVE HELPED THEM IN MANY WAYS. THEY APPRECIATE IT MORE
THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.
Stacy's daughter Tia, son
in law and hunting buddy Gary, and wife Marguarite all made his last days
brighter. They continue to need our thoughts & prayers in the days ahead.
My hope is that they too will find that peace that will allow them to accept
Stacy's passing and know that he is in a better place where the buffalo run and
the grass grows tall.
Websites
Stacy was very proud of his grand
daughter Shawna! She was grandpa's pride and joy, and he loved her very much.
Rarely did I talk with him via phone when he didn't tell me about his &
Shawna's latest adventures.
Shawna has put together a beautiful
memorial website at:
Steve Zimmerman with Tech Solutions
has added a Stacy Tribute page to my website: www.frankaddingtonjr.com
Another Day at the Range....
Yesterday Pop & I did some work on
my show bows and I had Sam Hughart throw a few baby aspirins for me. After a
few adjustments I nailed one and then had Sam throw a second one. I hit that
one too---which makes two in a row! I tried for a third one but the arrow
missed it.
I thought to myself---that's for you
Stacy! A huge grin came to my face. I remembered all the times Stacy & I
had shot in that indoor range. He'll always be with me and I'll always be his
protege'.
Thanks to Pop for always keeping my
gear shooting well, the gang at SKY ARCHERY and MATHEWS who keep me in bows to
shoot, and everyone else who helps make what I do a blast. My wife Amanda runs
the business side of things and she is the best. She does however make it hard
to leave for the shows.... but I am always glad to hurry home!
I'm looking forward to an upcoming
hunt we'll be filming in conjunction with "Operation Wounded Soldier" in
Texas. More on this later...
Stacy Groscup was here in the Spring
and gave me a gift that I now treasure more than ever. It is the 7th arrow he
shot when he set his world record of seven aspirin in a row in the 1980's.
That arrow is priceless to me and is signed. I often visit this collection and
can remember all those that have given me arrows--from Fred Bear to Stacy. My
latest addition is the arrow Uncle Ted (Nugent) used to harvest his bear in
Canada this Spring. I hope someday Amanda and I have a son or daughter to pass
this collection on to.
Until next time, Adios & God
Bless! Drop us an email, we love to hear from you!
