The Loss Of My Good Friend Doug Baltrip

vinniebabarooch

vinniebabarooch

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I have been wanting to express my feelings about my friendship with Doug all day today, but have been lost for words.

I know there are other threads about Doug's passing but I feel that I owe it to him to say a few things.

I met Doug about four years ago through our passion for collecting pool cues. The first couple of years we only talked when we had any interesting cue deals in the making. As time went by, our friendship began to grow. I realized that we had a lot of common interests. Soon we were talking every day about anything and everything. We talked countless hours about pool, watches, cases, our families, hobbies, motorcycles, jobs, etc. What started as a casual encounter, turned into a friendship that I won't forget.

Last year I remember arriving at SBE. Doug and I where on the phone as usual as we were trying to find each other. When we did, it was like seeing your best friend for the first time in ten years. It was a very memorable trip with him and Brandi that I will never forget.

For those who knew Doug well, know that he was a very generous person with a huge heart! The type of guy that would do anything for you. I think of him as a man's man on the outside, but a caring, loving, generous person on the inside. He was the type of guy that would say it like it was and stand tall doing it.

I am going to truly miss his 5-10 phone calls a day. The questions that he would ask me daily; What are you buying today? when I answered the phone and all the names that we used to call each other. (Even though he was well educated, I taught him some of my unique sayings and phrases, lol). I am going to miss Brandi and him coming over for the weekend and just hanging out. All the late phone calls, the early phone calls, the email links for the watch deals he found the night before, and just plain ole shooting the shit.

I will never forget the 4am call that came from Brandi this morning. The sadness that I have for her and the kids is numbing. I will never forget him and the friendship that we had. He will be missed by all.

Brandi you know Laurie and I are thinking and praying for you and the kids and are here for anything you need.....

Doug,
may God bless you as I know you are in a better place.
Someday buddy we'll meet again.
Your friend,
Troy
 
Nice remembrance, copy it to the Hall of Fame. Doug will surely be missed, but not forgotten.
 
wow troy

This thread really put a lump in my throat. I could really see how close you became with Doug. I never knew Doug but was always exited to see his threads on here he would post. Because i knew i was going to see a verry nice cue or a sick case that he had picked up. He had a great love for cues & cases and you could see it in his post. Brandi i know you will chairish the great moments you have spent with Doug just as his freands on az billiards have spent with him. Troy you was a true freand to Doug & i am sorry for your loss :sorry:
 
My feeling are right up there with yours Troy, he was much beloved, honest beyond compare

Thanks for sharing
 
A true friend is something rare these days. I am sad your friend passed, but happy that you two enjoyed your friendship.
 
Your post is an outstanding way to symbolize your friendship with Doug, and I am sorry for your loss.
My condolences to Doug's family as well as his large family of friends.

God bless DWBOD
 
Sorry

I'm sorry for your loss. Your post makes it clear that it is indeed the loss of a friend that can't be replaced. May the memories of your times together give you comfort and last forever.
 
Lossof good friend Doug Baltrip

Troy, very very well said. did you ever consider a career in writing? your loss is understood, & it is true, very few have true frienships in life, so i feel sorrow for your loss of a dear friend, though i consider you always a friend, & Doug also, [ which will express in.... confused, Tony [ Guerra Cues ] cont. i asked him 3 times for spelling, sounded like Brandi, but spelled to me Bradi } so, Brandi, i hope i'm choosing this spelling } i will express my feelings on your post. Troy, im back. never got to any thing much about Doug. but at shows, my health ailing, diabetic & more, because of lack of sleep, eating @ irregular hrs, long hours stuck in a booth, some times feeling miserable, get ornery, even w/ dear friends. For 3 or 4 years, people would say Doug Baltrip spends a ton. but 1st time found out who Doug was [ thought another man was him ] we had talked many times. said to myself [ handsome man, face full of teeth! ] but always felt better, business or just jesting. Doug was radiant, fun, passion for collecting, warm & when leaving, made my joy return. took a while to realize it was his warmth & that million dollar smile. i'm not ashamed to say i loved him, but never got a chance to tell him. not sure if he would've understood. but regret not saying it. he missed his calling also. he was a natural born DENTIST, w/ his radiance, warmth, but the SMILE, ill always miss, but remember. Troy, i'll close by saying, get back to counting your MONEY!!! which i guess, you're pretty good @ that also. love, don
 
great post troy....i am very sadden by it and most for his family and close friends...mickey
 
vinniebabarooch said:
I have been wanting to express my feelings about my friendship with Doug all day today, but have been lost for words.

I know there are other threads about Doug's passing but I feel that I owe it to him to say a few things.

I met Doug about four years ago through our passion for collecting pool cues. The first couple of years we only talked when we had any interesting cue deals in the making. As time went by, our friendship began to grow. I realized that we had a lot of common interests. Soon we were talking every day about anything and everything. We talked countless hours about pool, watches, cases, our families, hobbies, motorcycles, jobs, etc. What started as a casual encounter, turned into a friendship that I won't forget.

Last year I remember arriving at SBE. Doug and I where on the phone as usual as we were trying to find each other. When we did, it was like seeing your best friend for the first time in ten years. It was a very memorable trip with him and Brandi that I will never forget.

For those who knew Doug well, know that he was a very generous person with a huge heart! The type of guy that would do anything for you. I think of him as a man's man on the outside, but a caring, loving, generous person on the inside. He was the type of guy that would say it like it was and stand tall doing it.

I am going to truly miss his 5-10 phone calls a day. The questions that he would ask me daily; What are you buying today? when I answered the phone and all the names that we used to call each other. (Even though he was well educated, I taught him some of my unique sayings and phrases, lol). I am going to miss Brandi and him coming over for the weekend and just hanging out. All the late phone calls, the early phone calls, the email links for the watch deals he found the night before, and just plain ole shooting the shit.

I will never forget the 4am call that came from Brandi this morning. The sadness that I have for her and the kids is numbing. I will never forget him and the friendship that we had. He will be missed by all.

Brandi you know Laurie and I are thinking and praying for you and the kids and are here for anything you need.....

Doug,
may God bless you as I know you are in a better place.
Someday buddy we'll meet again.
Your friend,
Troy
Click to expand...



Troy, I too feel exactly like you. When I received the news from you yesterday morning, I was and still am at a complete loss for words. I am devastated and shocked as I am sure his whole family is. Doug is a friend that cannot be replaced or forgotten. We also became the best of friends and spoke to each other every single day, usually multiple times. I was closer to Doug than anyone else in this world. I cannot count the number of times he has helped me out when I needed it. I think he would've given me the shirt off his back if I asked. What started off as a mutual interest in pool, developed into a friendship I never expected. Although Doug and I only met face to face one time (at VF), I felt as if I had known him my whole life. I will miss our conversations more than I can imagine. After speaking to Brandi yesterday morning, I had to leave work as I felt a huge part of my life just died. I did not feel able to function too well as I was unable to hold back the swell of emotions that came over me. My heart goes out to Brandi, the kids and his whole family and friends whose lives he touched. He will be missed forever and I wish my buddy Doug was here to talk to.
My prayers are with you Brandi, your family and all the other friends whose lives have been touched with Doug in it. Rest in peace my friend, I will miss you forever. Your friend, Vinny
 
Troy,

Very well said! Knowing you as I do for the past 6 years, you wear your heart on your sleeve! Your the first to help out and the last to give up. I'm truly sorry for your loss. I know of all the calls between you and Doug, as I was in the backround chiming in for some!! :) He most recently advised me in deciding on a cue at Windy City, always willing to help. He helped me with past watch and cue deals, always looking to make it "right" for everyone! If anything, Doug showed us how dealings should be in this community, straight forward with respect for all.

My most sincere respects and condolences to Brandi and family. Know that Doug was all that we should strive to be.

God bless, Todd
 
Troy

Troy ,remember when god closes one door he opens another.Doug will be missed but never forgotten .Rich aka the skunk.
 
Troy,
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
Doug sounds like he was a great guy!
 
Troy,

That's a beautiful remembrance of your friend, Doug. I happened to call Lil' Kenny Wednesday and he told me about Doug's accident. I couldn't believe it was the guy I shared a meal with just the week before- gave me chills. I'm so thankful to have hung out with you, Doug, Kenny (and others) after the Chicago cue show. Doug struck me as a good guy, quick with a smile and helpful advice. There just aren't enough guys like Doug around.

Take care, Troy- and thanks for sharing.

~Beau
 
It is never easy to see a friend laid to rest. We just left Doug's wake he truly looked at peace. I am so thankful that we got to spend so much time together at the chicogo show. There are truly a few people that brings class and dignity to this small community of cue collectors and enthusiasts, and I can truly say
that Doug was at the top of the list. I am proud to have called him a friend, and will truly miss him. I ask everyone to throw a prayer out for Brandi and Doug's family they are suffering right now
 
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Glad you got a chance to go and pay respects. Its hard to see a friend laid to rest, esp such a great guy like him.
 
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