This is my story, about the death of an old compadre and friend and mentor, who died of Parkinson's disease in 1989.

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As I sat next to the bed of an old friend, an old compadre, Shad Heller, Mayor and Blacksmith at Silver Dollar City in Branson,Missouri, a good friend of mine nearing the end of his span, we talked about life, as we had done countless times before.

As I held his burly, blacksmith hand, we spent time reminiscing about his long and fruitful,and sometimes troublesome life and wayward career as an Actor, and his and my experiences, alongside his faithful wife and character actress, sweet "Aunt Molly" at The Shepherd of the Hills Summer Playhouse underneath the Lake Taney Como Bridge in beautiful,downtown Branson,Missouri.

We also talked about all the backstage, theatrical fun, that we had when we moved the show to a bigger, outdoor stage, at the Shepherd of the Hills Farm, west of Branson.

Shad Heller named his theater, "The Old Mill Theatre".This was Shad's Stage, and all of us,those who had the great honor to work with Shad and Mollie, we got to play our small parts too,because Shad was a lot like Shakespeare himself, for he believed that......

"All the world's a stage, and each of us must play our parts" Shad Heller played his part to the hilt.

This show, one of the world's largest outdoor amphitheatres, is still thriving to this day,and can be reached via the internet, at: www.OldMatt.com, ( Old Matt is the second lead character in the story ) portraying the famous and immortal novel,"Shepherd of the Hills, written by Harold Bell Wright in 1903.

On Shad's deathbed, we reminisced about his life on the hard road, as a Circus Roustabout, and a Ringling Brothers,Barnum and Bailey Cicus Clown,Truck Driver, Railroad Hobo and Bum,Truck Driver and Acme Chemical Salesman, and last but not least in life,his 25 tenure as Blacksmith and Mayor of www.SilverDollarCity.com , which is located in colorful, Branson,Missouri.

We talked about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I listened as he offered sage wisdom and advice to a member of a "younger generation." I tried hard, not to form a tear in my one blurry,bright eye.

At a lull in the conversation, he seemed to carefully consider what he was about to say next. Then he squeezed my hand, gazed intently with his gentle eyes and warm friendly smile. then he looked into my one eye and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, Gary......."Nothing is more important than relationships " in this life we live, number one, is your relationship with GOD, give Him all you got, # 2 is your relationship with your wife and family,......love them well, # 3 is your relationship with your friends and neighbors, don't give them too much hell, and last but not least, your relationship with your boss on your job, your place of work " . Ask them to pay you what you are really worth.

I knew that this was the pinnacle of his life's learnings. This was the culmination of all his hopes and dreams of a lifetime. I named my one and only son, Shad............. after my hero, friend and mentor, Shad Heller.

One of Shad's old Proverbs, which I remember, so vividly, to this day, was: Gary....."Dreams are what we live on.....while we make our living" I tried hard not to show my tears. Shad Heller was full of downhome,practical wisdom of all kinds.

This incident took place at the Point Lookout,Missouri Nursing Home in 1989, Point Lookout, Missouri, 24 hours before Shad was promoted to a new, and more spectacular, heavenly stage,where I know he is playing his part, so well.

As, my good friend, Shad Heller considered all of his experiences - personal, professional, spiritual and family - this one ultimate observation surfaced above the rest: "Nothing is more important than relationships."

"Remember that in the end, only your relationships will truly matter. Tend them well, my friend ."

ps: Writers notes:

Shad Heller was the Blacksmith and Mayor of Silver Dollar City,Missouri for 25 years, day and night and in his dreams.

Shad Heller appeared in eight segments of The Beverly Hillbillies, filmed here on locaction at www.Silver Dollar City.com.... in Branson,Missouri. He also appeared in the movie, "The Beverly Hillbillies" filmed on location in Hollywood, California.

Shad created the role of "The Shepherd", the main character in the stage and outdoor amphitheatre version, of the Shepherd of the Hills, website location is: www.OldMatt.com. I had the great honor of working with this kind and gentle, multi-talented man, and good memories dwell abundantly, memories that I shall carry with me for my lifetime.

John Wayne played the role of Young Matt, in the movie version of the Shepherd of the Hills. It can be rented in most of America's Video stores

signed:

Gary L Clarkson Horse & Buggy Mountain Hollister-Branson,Missouri USA