Back in March, I started a thread entitled ' What will be come of your stuff when you pass?'. After much careful thought and consideration of the matter, I have chosen an heir to leave most of my stuff to.
My brother has two daughters. The younger is married to a man that I have a great deal of respect for. From growing up with nothing, he worked his way through college, got his PhD and now is the Assistant Dean at the Citadel Military College in Charleston, SC.
Bob and Cary have a son, now 4 yrs. old, named Connor. Bob, especially, displays the values, standards and morals that my father taught me. Bob is an avid caster, handloader and shooter and a strong advocate of the second amendment. Both he and Cary are strong Christians and are raising Connor to be such a man. I have chosen Connor as my heir.
I had a good, long conversation yesterday with Bob and explained to him my plans and why I chose Connor as my heir. He thanked my for choosing Connor, but I told him he and Cary are responsible for this as I knew they would raise their son to be the man I would be proud to have my stuff.
Connor is only 4 right now, about to turn 5 in December. He's not ready for anything at this time, but it won't be long before he'll be ready for his first 22 rifle. I asked Bob for the priveledge of having 'dibs' on giving Connor his first rifle. He said "Absolutely!" A boy's first rifle usually comes from Dad, so being given that priveledge is kinda' cool for ol' 'Pappy'!
I explained to Bob that I would be giving Connor firearms as he grows into them. I have no intention of sitting on this stuff until I'm buried. I'm going to give him this stuff as he grows into it so I can watch him enjoy it. I wanna' be a part of this while I'm alive to see it.
A lot of you know that I have a son, grandson and granddaughter in SC. Some would ask why I'm not leaving my stuff to them. With all due respect, I will simply say I have my reasons and leave it at that.
I know that Connor will be taught to appreciate the firearms, casting and loading equipment I have for him. I also know he will cherish my great uncle's old LeFever Nitro Special double 12 as much as I do.
This was a difficult decision to make and it was not made in haste. But I know that I will never wonder if I made a mistake.