Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The Best Obit. Ever.

Yes, there can be a funny obituary. Here's the funniest I've ever seen. It's real, too. Here's the link.

Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark, who had tired of reading obituaries noting other's courageous battles with this or that disease, wanted it known that he lost his battle as a result of an automobile accident on June 18, 2006. True to Fred's personal style, his final hours were spent joking with medical personnel while he whimpered, cussed, begged for narcotics and bargained with God to look over his wife and kids. He loved his family. His heart beat faster when his wife of 37 years Alice Rennie Clark entered the room and saddened a little when she left. His legacy was the good works performed by his sons, Frederic Arthur Clark III and Andrew Douglas Clark MD, PhD., along with Andy's wife, Sara Morgan Clark. Fred's back straightened and chest puffed out when he heard the Star Spangled Banner and his eyes teared when he heard Amazing Grace. He wouldn't abide self important tight *censored*. Always an interested observer of politics, particularly what the process does to its participants, he was amused by politician's outrage when we lie to them and amazed at what the voters would tolerate. His final wishes were "throw the bums out and don't elect lawyers" (though it seems to make little difference). During his life he excelled at mediocrity. He loved to hear and tell jokes, especially short ones due to his limited attention span. He had a life long love affair with bacon, butter, cigars and bourbon. You always knew what Fred was thinking much to the dismay of his friend and family. His sons said of Fred, "he was often wrong, but never in doubt". When his family was asked what they remembered about Fred, they fondly recalled how Fred never peed in the shower - on purpose. He died at MCV Hospital and sadly was deprived of his final wish which was to be run over by a beer truck on the way to the liquor store to buy booze for a double date to include his wife, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter to crash an ACLU cocktail party. In lieu of flowers, Fred asks that you make a sizable purchase at your local ABC store or Virginia winery (please, nothing French - the *censored*) and get rip roaring drunk at home with someone you love or hope to make love to. Word of caution though, don't go out in public to drink because of the alcohol related laws our elected officials have passed due to their inexplicable terror at the sight of a MADD lobbyist and overwhelming compulsion to meddle in our lives. No funeral or service is planned. However, a party will be held to celebrate Fred's life. It will be held in Midlothian, Va. Email fredsmemory@yahoo.com for more information. Fred's ashes will be fired from his favorite cannon at a private party on the Great Wicomico River where he had a home for 25 years. Additionally, all of Fred's friend (sic) will be asked to gather in a phone booth, to be designated in the future, to have a drink and wonder, "Fred who?"
Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on 7/9/2006

3 comments:

Randy Seaver said...

Hi Victoria,

I heard your program today on KOGO and laughed at the Fred Clark obituary. I do genealogy and had blogged about it the other day at http://randysmusings.blogspot.com/

Another funny one, from yesteryear, is at http://randysmusings.blogspot.com/2006/05/best-obituary-ever.html

Keep up the good work -- Randy Seaver

jeanlafittepirate said...

fred the red. red fred. amazing
revelations of a secret life as
neighborhood watch coordinator.
defended his neighborhood to
the death. a log was found detailing events of rival neighborhoods invading his. the
shields went up and his was saved.
a double life near washington,d.c.
also found, as 007 and 008. full
of intrigue and passion, rivalling
the secret life of walter mitty.
james thurber chronicled walter.
fred saved the world even better
than fred flintstone. yay fred.
you are dead rather than red.
yay fred.

iknowhowtospell said...

That's pretty funny. My favorite part is where Mothers Against Drunk Driving is taken to task for "meddling" with people's lives. Hooray for alcohol!