Don is gone

[Alboy]

For those who knew Don Rinks, I just received a call from a paramedic in Trinity that they found Don dead this morning. Ms Vinnie's dimensia is not helping and they are in search of his relatives. Any one know his sisters name? I will have to get home before I can read the letter he left me for this event.

[gitano]

Words fail me.

Don was a dear friend. He is among those people from THL that opened their home to me and my family. I am deeply saddened with this news.

Paul

[Hunterbug]

I am sorry to hear about Don. He will be missed.

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Truly sad news.

[Paul Hoskins]

Well, what a bummer. Makes me feel like I cheated along the way somewhere. Seems I vaguely remember his father or close relative was a partner with one of the well known gunsmith/makers years ago. Possibly in Ackley's time. Does anyone know for sure? .....Hope the officials can locate relatives. ....Paul H

[Jorge in Oz]

So sorry Paul to hear about Don. He will be missed dearly by all of us here on the forum. Very sad.

[sakorick]

Very sad day for all of us at THL.

[Paul Hoskins]

Been sitting here somewhat dumbfounded thinking. Can't recall Don's sister. I think he had a relative, possibly an uncle, that was a gunsmith/maker. The names Charlie O'Neal & Don Hopkins keep popping up. I'm thinking one or the other was his uncle. Maybe this could give a lead on finding some of his relatives. .....Sad situation. It bothers me deeply. .....Paul H

[JaDub]

That is a shocker.  I just read about  his passing  and I just sat in a daze.   He was always a prince to me as well as being one of the `good guys` of THL.   He will be missed but not forgotten.
   I`ve lost three of my very best friends in the last four weeks.
    Life is too short...........  eat the desert first.
 
  God Speed Don.

[22hornet]

Don was a top bloke. One of THL's gentlemen. It's a pity I never had the chance to meet Don in real life. I guess I can be happy that I knew him in the internet world.
I hope they can find his sister and that Don's wife is taken care of.

[recoil junky]

Well sh:toilet:t.



:cry:

RJ

[kombi1976]

I'm very sad to hear of Don's is passing. He was a fount of knowledge in so many things shooting and a straight talker, something that is less and less common in these days of political correctness. We'll be praying for his friends and family.

[davidlt89]

I just dont have words! I never met Don but he touched my life, I will miss him dearly! His family is in my prayers. God bless.

[branxhunter]

I didn't know Don as well as many of you but he certainly seems to be a well worn part of the THL "furniture". A sad day.

I also learnt this morning that an older friend of mine here in the local town with whom I would catch up with and talk hunting, cooking and growing things passed away yesterday from a brain haemorrhage. I was thinking of him this morning as I drove to work and past his place; his favorite apples were Coxs Orange Pippens, and ours are just about ripe. I was going to give him a call and tell him to come on out.

Marcus

[Jamie.270]

Godspeed Don.

[Alboy]

Well sh:toilet:t.



:cry:

RJ

Well said RJ

[Alboy]

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1935766_1141941186239_220834_n.jpg?oh=fbe1d774d532f422c390d95b546f7cf9&oe=572B14CB

Gents and Gentlewomen

An update, I may never know all the what-fors for certain.

Adrian and I met with them and hugged Vennie today.

Immediate family has been located and are in full swing arranging for Miss Vennie a place to live with help for medicals, etc. That should be near Alvin Texas, a little south of Houston. Disposition of the estate is in progress and should be simple, Vennie is sole and uncontested heir.

Last Activity: 02-05-2016 01:09 PM - on this forum

Sometime after that Don passed.

He was found dead Monday morning by a neighbor girl (Harley). She is only 14 but got her mother involved and started getting help. She had started helping Don and Vennie with light cleaning and laundry etc. He was in his recliner where he often slept and V assumed him asleep. He had already begun decomposition enough that the chair had to be removed from the house too.

Harley's folks are also watching the place ready to call police if vultures show up scavenging.

I was contacted by EMT about noon and posted here shortly after that.

More updates as we get to them, there will be a fair amount of tools other and stuff to be sold. Includes lathes for gun-smithing, reloading equipment, possibly guns and other stuff. Some of it I will handle and will offer it here first for interested folks. We are going to start a detailed inventory this Sunday. All proceeds will go to Miss Vennie.

There will be no funeral or ceremony per Don's wishes, he is to be cremated and spread on the property/lake.

[recoil junky]

It's all I could think at the time Al.

He was and will remain a constant here at THL through his many threads and posts. He was always helping those of us with less knowledge with well written answers, timely quips and well received ribbing.

Don, when you get through the Pearly Gates, look up my Dad would you? You two will have a lot to talk about. Mom will be there too spreading her table with all manner of home cooked goodies, hope you have good appetite!!!

:angel:

RJ

[farmboy]

How kind of you to help always lots of work cleaning out a house and on top of it always really emotional. Take care I am sure he would be pleased with you looking after things for him.

[gitano]

Went to a local lumber yard to pick up some lumber for a project I'm working on and stopped by the post office on the way home. There was a letter from Don. I haven't had the heart to open it yet.

Paul

[farmboy]

Have a Kleenex ready when you do open it.

[Paul Hoskins]

I will sorely miss Don here on THL forum. I suppose all of us will. I always enjoyed the razzing I got from him. He never offended me in any way. He was the sort of fellow you had to love to the end. I won't be crying because it's over. I'll smile because it happened. It was by chance that I knew him thru THL. Super friend in my book. I don't understand why he had to leave early.  .....Paul H

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

I will sorely miss Don here on THL forum. I suppose all of us will. I always enjoyed the razzing I got from him. He never offended me in any way. He was the sort of fellow you had to love to the end. I won't be crying because it's over. I'll smile because it happened. It was by chance that I knew him thru THL. Super friend in my book. I don't understand why he had to leave early.  .....Paul H

Totally agree with that sentiment Paul. He will be missed.

[sakorick]

Good thing Alboy is there and doing a fine job!

[Brithunter]

Just when you think things cannot get any worse .......................... more bad and sad news.

Rest in Peace Don and forever in our hearts and memories.

[gitano]

So, I opened the letter this morning. Don was true to form to the last. It was three packets of tomato seeds developed specifically for 'northern climes'. We had talked about these tomatoes and gardens in general when I spoke to him last Thursday. My last words to him were, "I want you to stay alive long enough to see if these work out like they're supposed to." He said, "I'll try."

Paul

[Jorge in Oz]

Brings tears to my eyes just reading this thread and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I loved Don's banter and he was always willing to comment on any posting and share his knowledge. I will definitely miss him. Glad Alboy is close by to help Don's family out.

Paul I hope you can get those tomatoes growing nice and big and plentiful and please post some pics once they start to fruit.

Cheers
Jorge

[davidlt89]

Came on today expecting to see a few posts from Don! Looked in the cupboard yesterday and found a bag of peppers from Don. I never asked for them, I would always recieve a bag at the right time! I probably only understood 50% of his posts but I read them all. He had forgotten more than I know. I miss ya Don! God bless my friend.

[Alboy]

Started really cleaning and sorting at Don's today. Exhausted in more ways than I can verbalize right now. Will start cataloging weapons and materials for sale this week.

Ms Vinnie new address is at Six Palms Assisted Living

Phone: 832.713.PALM (7256)

Vinnie Rinks
5409 Croix Road
Manvel, TX 77578

[gitano]

Thanks, Al! That's a tough chore physically AND mentally!

Thanks again,
Paul

[Alboy]

Got a call about 8 PM from Judeth (Don's little sister/executor and care giver of Vinnie) last night.

Ms V is not doing well and was moved from assisted living to hospital last night, with hospice in the near future.

Broken heart and missing Don seems to be the main problem. Ms V has been in bad health for a long time.

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

That is sad...

[gitano]

That news is not surprising.

Paul

[Jorge in Oz]

Really sad.

For the believers, we need to be praying for Ms V and for those that don't believe you are most welcomed to try as well.

[sakorick]

My thoughts and prayers are with her.

[Alboy]

Venie is gone to be with don.
Judith Rinks

Judith Rinks, Like Don she wanted no service. We will spread their ashes on their place by the lake.

Al Smith

Al Smith Judith, thank you for all you have done. this is never easy. I will be in touch.

[gitano]

I am saddened, but not surprised.

May they both now rest in peace.

Paul

[Jorge in Oz]

Rest in Peace Don & Venie.

I felt very sad for her that she went so quick after Don.

My condolences to Judith and her family.

[22hornet]

Sorry for Don's wife to pass so quickly after his death. Very sad.

[buckshot roberts]

my thoughts and prayers....Ron