Lessons about life from three good men

McCOOK and BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Three friends of mine died this month. At the time of their passing, Arvene Myers was 94, Pete Graff was 90 and Larry --- was 70.

As is often the case, I did not realize how special Arvene, Pete and Larry were until they were no longer with us on this old earth.

What defines goodness? What defines greatness? I guess, as I think about Arvene, Pete and Larry, it doesn't really matter. What counts is how they touched lives during their living years, and how those of us who remain live our lives after they are gone.

That's the cycle of life. That's why it is so important that we each live lives of caring, sharing and love.

Arvene, Pete and Larry are lasting-and-loving examples of what I mean.

Let's start with Arvene. What a guy. Other than a few tough moments at the end, Arvene lived every one of his 94 years with a zest for living that uplifted all he knew. He loved life. He truly did. And he was a thinker, always pondering before taking action.

A farmer and an investor, he inspired me with his wisdom. He told me more than once about taking his girlfriend, who later became his wife, to one of the early day shows at the Fox Theatre. After exiting, Arvene realized his pocketbook was missing, so he went back to retrieve it. He found the pocketbook, all right, but the nine dollars and 70 cents inside were gone.

"I guessed they needed it more than me," he said. "I have often wondered how they used that $9.70, which was quite a bit of money back then."

A tiny example. Perhaps. But isn't that what life is. A lot of little minutes, added together, equaling a lifetime.

Next, let's talk about Pete. An amazing man. Truly amazing. When he came to the McCook National

Bank in 1957, the bank had capital of $597,000. When he died in 2013--after 56 years in leadership positions at the bank--the capitol of the bank had risen to more than $42 million.

As a result, the bank and Pete were millionaires many times over. But, you know what, that didn't matter to him. He was the same old Pete that I met, and came to know as a friend, when I came to town in 1961.

His gift, his lesson to all of us, is to be yourself. Don't put on airs. Don't be a phony. Do your deal, whatever that may be. Pete was a millionaire. I'm a thousand-aire. But in his eyes, and mine, we were equals. We just happened to have followed slightly different paths through life.

And, lastly, I'd like to tell you a little about Larry Stute, a farmer from Benkelman who I met in 1981 and continue to cross paths with for 32 years.

I probably talked to Larry 300 to 400 different times through the years. And every time, I swear to you, two things happened. First, he was in a good mood and he was smiling. And, second, and I don't know how in the world he managed to pull this off, Larry had a new story to tell me.

And they were good stories. I laughed every time.

Is there any greater gift a man can give? I can't think what it would be.

Arvene Myers, Pete Graff and Larry Stute loved life and they shared that love with everyone they met.

Isn't that what life is really about? I think it is and it is why, for as long as I shall live, I will cherish their memories.