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Posted By: gasgunner Left The range - 03/15/23 12:05 PM
We lost me father Sunday morning after a long fight with MSA at the age of 90. Only a few here knew him, but he had a lifelong love of all things firearms, and in particular quality firearms. A cops salary and 5 kids put some limits on his hobby, but he knew and appreciated a fine gun like nobody I have ever known. I spent many a saturday morning with him traveling around Illinois headed to some small gunshow in the barn at some small county fairground searching for that one treasure. I will share just one story of him. Several years ago a friend sent me a text that he had a custom target rifle for sale and wanted to know if I was interested. At this time dad was just starting to suffer some dementia from the MSA but it had yet to be diagnosed. Dad stopped by the shop and I showed him the pictures on my phone. He immediately said "I've seen that rifle before". He left and came back about 20 minutes later carrying the 1962 gun digest which had one small picture about a custom benchrest rifle that John Amber had built for him by John Warren. Dad has every gun digest since 1944, but in that short time he was able to lay his hands on the one that had that one small picture of that rifle. He couldn't remember our names half the time, but he knew where to find that rifle.

While he would never admit it, I think he got some enjoyment out of it when I sent Michael Petrov a picture of a couple of dads rifles and Michael included them in Volume 2 of his book.

He will be sorely missed.

John Holliger
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Posted By: Stanton Hillis Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 12:20 PM
So sorry for your loss, John. Great memories. Thanks for sharing a little of your dad's life with us.

SRH
Posted By: GLS Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 12:50 PM
Sorry to hear of your loss. Hang on to those great memories...Tight groups and condolences, Gil
Posted By: eightbore Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 01:12 PM
Sorry for your loss. We are lucky that there a still a few of us left.
Posted By: Ken Nelson Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 03:36 PM
Very nice story. I pray that God give you and your family peace and comfort for your loss.
Posted By: Parabola Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 03:47 PM
Dear John,

A lovely story.

Please accept my condolences,

Parabola
Posted By: DSchrank Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 05:20 PM
John,
I am very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking with Merle when I would see him in the shop. He had a wealth of firearms knowledge and was willing to share it.
I recall him remembering a Leonard Brownell rifle that you had in the shop in a similar manner and coming back with a Gun Digest from the 1960s with it pictured.
Please pass my condolences to your family. David.
Posted By: Gary D. Re: Left The range - 03/15/23 10:24 PM
So sorry to hear this. My condolences to you and your family, John.
Posted By: Thaine Re: Left The range - 03/16/23 12:56 AM
John,
So sorry for your loss. Sounds like you have some wonderful memories to cherish. My Dad passed in 1993 and I still reminisce fondly of our time together.
Thaine
Posted By: Flygas Re: Left The range - 03/16/23 02:33 AM
I’m one of the few here that was fortunate enough to know Merle Holliger and it’s no exaggeration when I say he’s one of the finest men I’ve ever known. He didn’t talk a lot but when he did, you were smart to listen. I’ll cherish the Shelhamer .270 that was his— I’ll never sell it. I’m very sorry, John. We’ll miss him.
Shane
Posted By: DanLH Re: Left The range - 03/16/23 02:57 AM
John,

Sorry to hear the sad news.
Dan
Posted By: GGress Re: Left The range - 03/17/23 02:43 AM
So sorry John.

Greg
Posted By: Ted Schefelbein Re: Left The range - 03/19/23 02:28 PM
Sorry for your loss. It seems I write these few, insignificant words much more often these days. I have been, where you now are. You do have my deepest sympathy.

To your father, Godspeed.

Best,
Ted
Posted By: gasgunner Re: Left The range - 03/20/23 09:29 PM
Originally Posted by Ted Schefelbein
Sorry for your loss. It seems I write these few, insignificant words much more often these days. I have been, where you now are. You do have my deepest sympathy.

To your father, Godspeed.

Best,
Ted

They may seem insignificant, but they are not, they help the process, and I thank each of you for the sentiment.

As dad would say, "Hold'em and Squeeze'em"

John
Posted By: Ted Schefelbein Re: Left The range - 03/21/23 03:03 AM
My Dad, Marine Corps rifle and sniper instructor, said the exact, same thing.

Best,
Ted
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