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One of the best friends and most influential men I had in my life was Mr. Ned Duhe of Garyville. He passed away 11 years ago, and I still miss him. I think of him and talk about him often.

Ned honorably served our country in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War. He worked in a grocery store all his life, and when his son Gene decided to go into business in the Garyville Food Store, he assisted him.

He and his wife Dolores, age 93, raised four children. He was active in his community and served on the St. John Parish Council.

The reason he was so special to me is because he was real. I would see him often and always felt better after our visit because he was a positive person and lived life to the fullest.

Ned was a little older than me and before he died, had a few health issues. The one thing I remember most about our visits was the day in the storeroom of his son’s business when I asked him where he would spend eternity when he died – Heaven or Hell. He smiled and said, “I don’t know. I haven’t been to church in 25 years.” I told him that going to church doesn’t guarantee you eternal salvation. Only a personal relationship with Jesus will. We then prayed and asked God to forgive him, and he invited Jesus into his heart.

When he passed away, I was asked to do the eulogy at the St. Hubert Church in Garyville. The church was packed, and I started my message with: “This is the first time Ned’s been in church in 25 years.” People laughed and I continued, “Some of you who are regular churchgoers won’t spend eternity where my friend Ned will.” I then told them what happened in the storeroom a few weeks earlier.

As I write this, I’m reminded that he as a master of personal relations. He always made me and the people he communicated with feel better about themselves.

I believe one of God’s special gifts is the people we meet on our journey to eternity. Ned was a special gift to me and my family.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reerve, LA 70084, or call (985) 652-8477.