P18 #160 getting a name change

Posted By: Bob Slatter P18 #160
Date: 7/7/08 1:04a.m.

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I bought #160 almost three years ago from an elderly gentleman who's initials were JB which he had on the stern in stick on letters. For almost three years, I have had in my mind the perfect name for the boat about 10 different times (10 different names) and could not settle on one. On July 4th, my father, John Slatter, suffered a massive heart attack and pretty much died before he hit the ground after spending the day doing what he loved to do. He fixed pancakes for mom and him, worked in his garden, watched the Brewers win on TV while dozing on and off in his recliner, spent a little time at his favorite watering hole probably telling fishing stories, cooked dinner on the grill for mom and him, and then watched the city's fireworks from one of my brother's backyard with lots of family around him. He died while walking back up to the house after the fireworks. He had his first heart attack about 12 years ago so all of this extra time since then has been a blessing. He was able to go to numerous baptisms, first communions, fishing with grand kids,graduations, weddings, family birthday parties and Christmas's, Father's Day parties, etc. Well anyways, I was driving home from Wisconsin, for the third time in 24 hours and thinking about him. One of his nick names was John Boy and the initials of the first owner were JB which I had peeled off long ago. I decided while driving home at midnight the boat's name is now John Boy. Every time I look at it or sail it, I will think of him.