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Captain Karl Fanning
Eulogy
The Last Dispatch from the Captains Quarters
The eulogy for a blue water sailor was referred
to by seafarers in the 19th century as the “last dispatch from
the captain’s quarters” We have come together to
remember why Captain Karl Fanning was so special to all of us.
Karl Fanning was a husband to
Judy, father to Leslie, Travis, Trevor and Toni. He was a Seafaring Gentleman, a
scholar, educator, rancher, chef, philanthropist, sportsman, and loved by all
that were touched by his life.
It could be that you are
thinking how sad it is that a man of such talent, of such kindness, of such
unusual intellect, a man with such admirable single-mindedness, should now so
suddenly be spirited away at the age of sixty-three. Well before he’d
experienced the joy of witnessing the conclusion of many of the events of life
or fully had others show their appreciation for his gifts of service, his
unparalleled capabilities, and well before he’d filled enough coolers with
speckled trout….
Sadness has never been a part
of Karl that any of us could witness and our remorse should only be for the
emptiness that his death brings to our daily lives. I am sure that Karl would
agree with Tenyson’s verse…..
Sunset and evening star.
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of
the bar
When I put out to sea.
For Karl now celebrates with
the other seafaring saints in heaven and has a place at the same table with many
great captains, sailors, explorers, adventurers and story tellers who knew God
and shared God’s love with everyone. While he sits at that great table in the
presence of his Pilot, Karl will be able to look down on all those he has
touched and inspired to be the best they can be, to make the best impact they
know how, and to serve others as only Karl Fanning could do.
I will always be a student of
Karl’s wisdom and wit and hopefully be able to serve a little like he has done
as a teacher to those that follow in his steps in the tradition of the sea.
Karl epitomized the old seafarer in John Masefield’s “Sea Fever”….
a poem written at the dawn of the 20th century when the navies
of the world were switching from sail to steam.
I
must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sails shaking,
And a gray mist on the seas face, and a gray dawn breaking.
I
must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied:
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I
must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gulls way, and the whales way, where the winds like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long tricks over.
The flag flies at half mast
today on the TEXAS CLIPPER, in remembrance of one who did so much, for so many.
We are never truly gone when there is a life that we have touched still living.
Those who remember the man will honor his life by treating others the way Karl
treated them. Many will hold strong to his memory, legacy, and sense of humor
will be passed down for generations to come. Keep in mind that “We are
not remembered for what we gathered, but for what we have scattered”….
My friend you have rung up
F.W.E. (Finished With Engines) and we wish you a “quiet sleep and a sweet
dream now the long tricks over”, and to the Fanning Family, we thank you
for all you have done for us, and may you have fair winds, and following
seas……..
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