On September 29, 2010 on our way to South Dakota for the 8th Annual Celebrity Hunt for a Cure, we heard the news that Carl Comer passed away at the age of 65. Carl and his wife Barb helped start the Celebrity Hunt for a Cure 10 years ago. Just days before we had called Carl to invite his wife Barb and him to be our special guests in South Dakota. As it is with the loss of any family member, we were schocked and in disbelief. As we know too well from our own loss, it seemed like a bad dream. We had hoped to see Carl and Barb at the event if not soon and now he was gone. The fundraiser went on, but not without some heavy hearts, a moment of silence and an acknowledgement in front of all at the banquet that we had lost a dear friend of the foundation and family member who never met a stranger!
Carl has seemingly always been a part of the Nelson Family and he was one of the original people that were the inspiration for and started the Celebrity Hunt for a Cure. You have to go back a dozen years to the beginning of our families relationship with Carl & Barb Comer to understand how important he was to our family and the foundation. Carl had the dream to create a lodge on the eastern plains of Colorado where people who enjoyed the outdoors, pheasant hunting, great food and fellowship could do so in a home away from home! The Runaway Inn in eastern rural Joes, Colorado was that place. But what drew all of us to Carl was his big heart and a smile that matched. He always had time to talk, to listen or to tell a joke. He was the rare person who cared more about people than he ever cared about things. We all loved that quality and hopefully aspire to be the same.
Shortly after our son, Hunter was diagnosed with Sturge Weber Syndrome and we formed Hunter's Dream for a Cure. Carl offered to host a fundraiser at the Runaway Inn. Carl & Barb, as well as their family and the community near Joes, Colorado, welcomed the Celebrity Hunt for a Cure with open hearts! For six years, from 2002-2007, Carl & Barb hosted the Celebrity Hunt for a Cure at the Runaway Inn. The memories and inspirational stories from those events and in between are too many to count. After Hunter passed away in 2005 we presented Carl & Barb with the first "Spirit of Hunter Award". The award was established in part due to what they had done for us and what Hunter had taught us. It is presented to people who demonstrate "hope, courage, humility, patience, compassion and unconditional love". There was truly no more deserving person of this honor than Carl. As my son Brady and I visited the Runaway Inn recently, I took a solemn walk down memory lane through the Cantina, the Inn and the rest of the property. I had a heavy heart and shed more than a few tears. He is missed by not only his own immediate family, but a community he touched, countless friends, a foundation he inspired, our family and many others too many to mention. There is no doubt that anyone who new Carl will miss his gentle soul and friendly spirit but I have to selfishly say that I am happy that he is in Heaven teaching my son Hunter about life, making him laugh and taking him on the pheasant hunts that I was never able to!
Until we see each other again Carl - God Bless You, Robb, Wendy & Brady Nelson
Please look at the Gallery on the bottom of the home page to see some of the images of Carl and our great memories together at The Runaway Inn. http://www.huntersdream.org/gallery/index.html?c=17
