Vake's Last Plumbing Job

Jon recalls:  Sometime after Johnnie's wife Betty died in l996, Dad (Johnnie) arranged to try to have his ailing back fixed one more time (he had ruptured a disc [to the inside] during the sawmill business in the 40's).  The surgery occurred in North Bend, and after release from the hospital, he was to go to a 'recovery unit' in a continuing care facility overlooking Coos River for a few days.  The young lady during the admission process asked "what are his hobbies/interests."  I responded that 'well, he'd probably like to meet some eligible women who might be around.'  That kind of stopped the interview, with her muttering something about 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' (But why not? He was only 84.)

 

MEANWHILE, Uncle Vake & I made periodic visits to see Dad......and also to undertake the (possibly) last plumbing job.  Back at his house, Dad's second bathroom had a shower which had always just dribbled, so Vake & I decided to fix it.  The process involved tearing out a sheet of paneling in the guest bedroom, and changing the plumbing from there.  I went to (where else?) West Lane Plumbing, and bought a high quality shower valve.  Vake & I met at Dad's place, and he showed me how to properly install that piece of equipment.  (he polished the copper pipe until it shown like our belt buckles in airborne school.  Then we soldered the joints, replaced the paneling, etc., and left Dad a note wishing him a happy holiday. It was likely Vake's last plumbing job; this was 1996 and  he died in January 1997, three months short of his 83rd birthday.