Thank you all, I am moved by your posts.
Bulldog, my condolences as well. I'm so very sorry.
I could have gone on and on about Uncle Joe. He was also one of the first Coast Guard Honor Gaurds, and he served at the White House when he re-enlisted. He also collected small European sports cars. He always had a handlebar mustache as far as I can remember, dapper clothes, and what I thought of as odd hats, boulders, fedoras, etc... He was of another decade, maybe even century. He also taught me to play golf and snooker. He was looked up to by many. Not bad for a guy born to Southern farmers.
Thanks again, everyone. It's been a hard day.