Dewey Edson Abel - Major, USAF (Retired)
Born : March 22, 1925 Loosed Earthly Bounds : April 10, 1998
Beloved Husband, Father, Friend and Father in Law.
This page is intended to memorialize Dewey for all. If you have a story, a snapshot in time or just wish to say Goodbye, Please send an e-mail to ETS@lewiselec.com for inclusion.
ET - Thank you.
I miss my dad so much. I can't imagine life without him - he was "my heart" He was always there for me - always loved me, no matter what. I feel such sorrow..... our lives will never be the same. Please take good care of my sister - I love you both.
Jane
When you and I first met, we did not see eye to eye. I was a young man chasing your eldest daughter and I'm sure that bothered you. Later on, after I had married her, we seemed to come to terms and I was always made to feel comfortable in your home and around you. I don't know who the driving force was (You or Betty) and really don't care because I love both of you.
Through the years I have grown to admire you for what you are. You are a Man that is a caring thoughtful and loving father, intelligent, resourceful, and a working person trying to make a better life for his family. In all of the things that I have admired you for, you have succeeded in all. You have even caught a Sailfish! I haven't.
Over the last 25 years I have become a part of your family because you wanted it to be. I appreciate it very much. I could not ask for a better set of in-laws.
After my Father died in 1993, I began to think of how Life is so frail and fleeting and how everyone seems to ignore death until it hits them in the forehead. We all know it is inevitable but deny it just the same. You have known Death as well as Life in the time you have spent on this earth and your whole family will be better off with your knowledge.
Senor - I have enjoyed your company, your presence and your wisdom for these many years that now feel like seconds and regret the lost time that we could have been together.
I know in my heart that You and my Dad are in Heaven and planning a fishing trip somewhere. Don't forget me, I will always feel proud to accompany you and eventually I will join you guys.
Dewey Edson Abel March 22, 1925 April 10, 1998
Orval Edward Samples March 23, 1931 October 24, 1993
To: Pa-in law and Daddy-o I Love You.
You have left a hole that will be hard to fill, but given the strength that was bequeathed by you we will do our best.
Edward Thomas Samples
Proud son of O.E. Samples and Proud Son-in-law of D.E. Abel
Children do not appreciate their parents until they are grown and have had a chance to "experience" the world for themselves. Paraphrasing Mark Twain, "When I was young, my father was pretty dumb. By the time I was 21, he had gotten a whole lot smarter." Sounds about right, doesn't it, Dad?
The past couple years since Mother had been so ill, us kids were not sure who was inhabiting dad's body. Whoever it was, sure looked like him, talked like him, but this other person was not the father that had raised us. This guy cooked, did laundry, took mom to doctors' appointments, to the hairdresser, for pete's sake. He did the grocery shopping, reading labels and cutting out coupons. We couldn't leave the house without hugging his neck and saying when we'd be back. It finally dawned on us... Dad was "just providing alittle insurance" for himself. As Bill Cosby said of his father, "this guy's just trying to make sure that he gets to heaven."
Well Dad, as in everything else you have done in your life, you did this job so well, that they came and got you before any of us were ready. You made it and you're in good company. You will always be in my heart. Keep an eye on us, will you? We still need that.
Love, Helen
P.S. Thank-you for not "beating the tar" out of me when I was 12 and "borrowed" your car.
To E.T., Thank-you! HAS
I joined this family 21 years ago when I married Tom. I didn't get to see Uncle Dewey and Aunt Betty very often...just a few miles separated us! When they came to visit Uncle Dewey always had a smile on his face and his laughter was contagious! We still miss Will and I know what an empty spot this will leave for you all. My prayers are with you as you go through these next weeks. This is a very nice memorial that Ed has set up. I have enjoyed looking at the pictures and remembering. Phyllis Kasting
You were our next door neighbor when I was in high school. Your son we called the "Big Dew", even though the title belonged to you. My dad and you used to hang out together. Ex military brothers spending far too much time drinking and fishing. I still remember the trip when your boat died and the coast guard had to tow you in, the moms were worried sick, but I suspect the empty ice chest was of the biggest concern at the moment. A man of integrity, and honor, I salute you, you were a credit to humanity. Please say hi to my mom and dad for me, I miss you all so very much. It's a shame that we have so much to say to the people we love and respect, but far too often let it slide until the right moment Kerry Tresback
Uncle Dew,
I am sure sorry you're gone. You were a pretty good guy. The only problem was that I didn't get to see you that much. Living at home with Grandma and Mom, you were still in our thoughts and we talked about you and your family regularly. I remember hearing about England, Thailand and Homestead. I remember the time when I was just a little guy and we loaded up in the car to meet you at Freeman Field in Seymour. "Come on in!" you called from inside. Well, I'd never been in a plane before and I figured you were likely to take off at any moment, so I bailed. You laughed and grinned that grin. I will miss you. I will not forget that grin, that's what I remember you looking like.
Then there was the time you got some motorboat and we went up and down White River on a sunny summer day with some of the family. I'd never been on a boat (another first), so you made sure I had the best seat in the house... right up front on the bow, holding on so tight I thought my fingers would pull out as you banked left and right at what seemed to me to be 200 mph. What an absolute gas that was! Thanks for the ride! You wound up doing some repair work on the steering while we were beached on a sand bank in the middle of the river. You even took the time to explain how the boat steered. That whole day was a hoot and we "had a ball", as the old folks would say then.
Grandma was always happy to get your case of oranges at Christmas. She'd have me carry (or drag) them into her closest where it was always cold (but never quite freezing) in the winter. That way she had oranges all winter. I can assure you, none went to waste. She sure did love you, and she was PROUD of you. And that made you a good guy in my book. Someone special.
I used to stare at this picture of a plane that hung on her wall and try to find you in it. She told me you were in there somewhere. Stop laughing.
By the way, you still owe me lunch from when my Niners whooped your Dolphins in the Superbowl... I can wait, but it'd better be a good one.
When Mom told me you were gone, well, she still calls you her baby brother. She misses you greatly. She always smiled when she talked about you. You should know that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed, thanks for the page. It's outstanding. I love the photo of Uncle Dew and Grandpa.
Helen, Jane and Carter, I'm so sad that your dad, and now your mom, are gone. Aunt Betty was always nice to me. I still have that Neil Diamond double album she gave me for graduation back in '73. I still play it every once in a great while and always think of her when I do. She told me how "valuable your education is" (which I'm sure you all have heard from her many times). I could always count on her to advance my understanding of political history. She was one of the very few people who could call me "Tommy" and get away with it. I liked her, I loved her and I'll miss her. I had never seen photographs of her back in the 40's/50's until now. I can see why your dad fell for her. Thanks Ed, that was a nice touch.
TOm G
Tom always talked so highly of you that I felt I knew you even though I never actually had the opportunity to meet you in person. I always looked forward to meeting you someday.
I would have loved to meet you in person, so that I can see the Uncle that Tom had so much admiration for. Tom always used to say, "You will really like my Uncle Dewey". You always bring a big smile in Tom's face whenever he talks about that "grin" of yours.
I know that I will meet you someday Uncle Dewey and it will be such an honor to meet you when that day arrives. You have touched so many lives and I honestly can say you even touched my life by being the "Special Uncle" in Tom's heart.
Leslie Gallagher
Dear Helen we were so sorry to hear about your parents I remember them as such nice people who always welcomed us kids into their home, and your mother was such a sweet person, always so nice to all. I didn't know your father that well it seems he was allway working at FPL so, I was unable to get to know him, but he must have been quite a person to have such a loving family. Our deepest regrets. David & Rosa Edgar
I am Curtis M. Chambers, I was assigned & flew on this kind of Baloon & Camera recovery airplane,in Kodiak, Alaska. Was Major Abel on one of these missioms? I have been trying to locate Airmen who was on this mission. This took place in 1955 & 1956,We came from Charleston A.F.B. S.C. Please contact me at ccham52086@aol.com
Date: 17 Aug 2006
Time: 17:20:06
Comments:
I am Dewey D. Patton, the third son of USAF LTC(Ret)Dewey Patton Jr., of
Williams, Indiana and who knew Dewey and Betty as did my mother, Ann. Dad and
Dewey Able were in the Reserves together and back in WWII my grandfather (yep,
Dewey Patton Sr.) had to drive them to a recruiting center during a massive
ice/snow storm (they were home on leave). Dad and Dewey were close while in the
reserves before the Korean War recall sent both men back to serve their country
and down separate paths. My dad flew
C-119s (among other types) at Greenville, S.C. and Dreux/Evereux, France after a
tour in C-46s in the Korean war. Although our family was unaware the Able's
were in Miami, we were stationed at Homestead 69-71 and I went to South
Dade High. Having just discovered this wonderful tribute to a man loved
and held so dear by family, I immediately informed my parents, who reacted
with surprise to the news and also recalled many events, some of which I've
shared here. I feel a deep sense of remorse not having met a man whom was held
in such high regard by my father and for some strange reason, that I feel a
bonding kinship towards. I certainly am enlightened and blessed to have seen
this memorial and share it with my father and mother, who have no computer in
which to access internet. God bless Dewey and Betty Able and family.
Respectfully, LTC (USA Ret)Dewey D. Patton, Murfreesboro, Tn.