Clayton Cresswell Dovey Jr. died on Nov. 5, 2008. But, he's far from gone. He lives through the immortality of his influence, which was intimate, caring and always positive.

At Dad's funeral, I can't count the number of people, of the 200-plus who attended the service of a very elderly man, the number of people who said, "If it weren't for your Dad..." My devastating grief waned, and joy filled my heart -- as I realize that Dad wouldn't live just through me or his granddaughter, but through hundreds, maybe thousands of others -- old and young.

Dad's death also renewed my firm belief that reaching out to others, caring, mentoring, teaching and passing along positive influence are the actions that not only bring the greatest joy and pride -- but yes, immortality.

I hunt because he did. Others hunt because I do. I fish because my parents did. Others fish because I do. I write because my parents encouraged me to. Others write because I do.

Life and death -- when you live understanding the power of the immortality of positive influence -- are good.

In honor of my father (and deceased brother Clayton Cresswell Dovey III -- who is another immortality story), a group of my Dad's friends (young -- and a few older like me) who attended his service and gathered afterward to remember, laugh and draw comfort from each other, launched the Clayton C. Dovey Immortality of Influence Society (CCDIIS).

The mission of the CCDIIS is to have a positive affect on others and define the organization’s and individual members’ success based upon the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Visit us online, and if you have an interest in becoming a member of the society -- click on Contact Us and send a request for information.

God bless, shoot straight, positively influence someone today!

LLD

Tags: Positive Influence Immortality Sharing Helping Giving Teaching

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