RIP Thomas Alexander Brantley

[Flagg the Wanderer]

...aka Oedipus Tex.

I've exchanged emails and phone calls with Erin (Tex's ex girlfriend, who I know much better than his current girlfriend, her sister Shannon).

I wasn't informed in time to get to the funeral, as I got a little lost in the shuffle.

For those of you who don't know, Tex suffered from severe depression, which he was treating with a huge medicinal cocktail. Apparently, he had kidney stones last month, and got a Vicodin prescription to deal with the residual pain.

On Wednesday, July 27, he took the whole bottle, along with a full month's supply of his antidepressants and anti-psychotics.

Shannon and his landlord found him that Saturday after she convinced him to open up the apartment. He did not leave a note.

The funeral was the following Wednesday in Dallas.

Sorry to bring this to the board, but I thought you all should know.

[Undertaker #59]

Wow.

Thank you for telling us, Flagg. This is horrible. His intelligence and humor shone through on everything he posted.

You will be greatly missed by everyone, Tex.

[Peg]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
...aka Oedipus Tex.

I've exchanged emails and phone calls with Erin (Tex's ex girlfriend, who I know much better than his current girlfriend, her sister Shannon).

I wasn't informed in time to get to the funeral, as I got a little lost in the shuffle.

For those of you who don't know, Tex suffered from severe depression, which he was treating with a huge medicinal cocktail. Apparently, he had kidney stones last month, and got a Vicodin prescription to deal with the residual pain.

On Wednesday, July 27, he took the whole bottle, along with a full month's supply of his antidepressants and anti-psychotics.

Shannon and his landlord found him that Saturday after she convinced him to open up the apartment. He did not leave a note.

The funeral was the following Wednesday in Dallas.

Sorry to bring this to the board, but I thought you all should know.

Oh, my God, Flagg... This is so incredibly sad to hear, but thank you for letting us know...
I have watched people that I care about, deal with clinical depression and it is a tremendously helpless feeling to not be able to fix it for them...
Wow... "Oed" will certainly be missed... Rest in peace, dear man...

[HelenaHandbsket]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

I never spoke/wrote to him, but I thoroughly enjoyed his posts when I was lurking and found him to be intelligent and witty.

My sympathies.

[bideau]

:(

I'm at a loss for words. I always looked forward to Oed's posts. He was the originator of our most legendary thread. And we all prayed for him when he got caught in the Tsunami. This is just a huge shock.

I hope you pass along our sympathies to his family.

[Moebius]

Man, a hard thread to even reply to. Considering his sunami surfing experience, I would never have imagined this.

Thanks for the info, Flagg. I know there are quite a few folk around here who will miss Tex greatly. His humor and wit always made threads fun to read.

[Benign Despot]

Sometimes real life invades our little cyber-haven.

My condolences obviously go out to his family and friends, but also to those members of the Planet who knew OED in his cyber personna.

Depression is a tragic disease, like diabetes or cancer, that claims thousands of victims. It is not "weakness" or a "charater flaw".

[PA_PATS_FAN54*]

My deepest sympathy to Oed's family and close friends.



Oed's wit and intellect will be sorely missed.

[BizarroAnnihilus]

Thanks for the head's up Flagg, that's a ****in' bummer.

Wherever you are Tex, Annihilus hopes your Owls are flying high.

R.I.P. you crazy S.O.B. We'll miss you.

[fulltilt]

Damnit.

[mikiemo83]

R.I.P. sir, may you be in your place of happiness

[pookie]

Take care Tex, you'll be missed. While we certainly only knew Oedipus Tex and not Thomas Brantley, we "knew him a little bit" and he will be missed around these parts. I can only imagine the grief his family must be feeling. Condolences to the Brantley family and friends.

Flagg, how old was Tex if I may ask?


Jeez, what a horrible day.

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Originally posted by pookie
Flagg, how old was Tex if I may ask? EDIT: He turned 27 on May 27th.

[fulltilt]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
He turned 28 on May 27th.

sigh...

[dchester]

Wow. This is so sad and confusing.

:(
________
ecig forum (http://vaporizer.org/forum/electronic-cigarettes/)

[HomelessJoe]

He was one of the more interesting and characters on this board. (among many)

RIP:(

[KenJr30]

I'm sorry to hear this. I did not interact with him too much, but saw his post several times when I was just lurking.

RIP, Oed.......................................

[Alcoholic9*]

Sad news indeed. :(

RIP Tex

[Dirtywater]

Wow. Like some others here I never interacted with him much here but always enjoyed his posts.

Sympathies to Oed's family and friends.

You will be missed. :(

[ItsGood_ItsGood]

Crap on a crust...

995 posts, and not a boring one in the bunch.

Another of the really colorful characters is gone way, way too early.

[Hawg73]

Jesus.

Not sure how I missed this thread.

Hard to know what to say other than Tex must have been quite a character to know in real life. He certainly was here.

We have some pretty smart people skulking around but, he seemed exceptionally bright to me. I found his intellect intimidating at times.

I am really sorry that whatever was eating him got so bad that he took his own life. I have to wonder how much the horror of what he experienced in Thailand might have contributed, but really don't have any idea. This is very sad news.

Happy Trails, Tex.

I wish his family and friends strength and peace in what must be a very dark time for them.

[Threadkiller]

Wow. That is deeply sad stuff. So much pain for his family.

Rest in peace Tex

[Moebius]

Originally posted by Hawg73
I am really sorry that whatever was eating him got so bad that he took his own life. I have to wonder how much the horror of what he experienced in Thailand might have contributed, but really don't have any idea. This is very sad news.


I was thinking more, when I saw his age, how the kinds of stress his job must have would affect someone so young. From listening to some of his descriptions, it must have been incredibly intense.

[Ras]

He didn't post much after I joined, but it was clearly evident that he posts were a definite read.

I took the opportunity to read some of his old stuff and it apparent that the Planet has lost a friend.......

[mikiemo83]

It is times like this I wish I could express what I’m feeling/thinking in words.

I didn’t know the man only his screen persona from the archives, I think it is things like this that teach us how much others influence our lives and the effect people have on us.

For his family, friends and the planeteers who did, I offer up my condolences, for the rest of us, I hope we find a few laughs looking back in the archives at the life and times of Oedipus Tex

He left this world to young.

[B A Rabbit]

Originally posted by mikiemo83
It is times like this I wish I could express what I’m feeling/thinking in words.

There are times, when words alone just ain't enough.

[Pats and Sox*]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
He turned 28 on May 27th.

If he was born in 1978, we would have turned 27. Regardless of his age, this is horrible news.

RIP, Oedipus.

[Spinal Tap]

This is crushing news. My condolensces go out to his family. I am truly saddened by this tragic news.

However, and I know I'll probably be chastized for saying this, but I have a real problem with honoring someone who takes their own life. This may not be the time nor the place to express these views. But I thought that we should all take a step back and think about what Tex's actions have done to his family and close friends. Again, this is awkward but it's the way I feel. I'm angry.

[Benign Despot]

ST

It sounds a little wierd but Tex didn't really have a choice in this. At least not in the same you you or I would.

The kind of depression flagg described is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Tex wasn't weak or selfish, he was terribly ill.

[BizarroAnnihilus]

Originally posted by Spinal Tap
This may not be the time nor the place to express these views.

That would be correct.

[BizarroAnnihilus]

.

[TheYellowDart]

Great work on that Anni. I am at a lost for words as to what to say about this news. Truly awful.

RIP OED

[sir_drinkalot]

Didn't know him.

Felt like I did. He shared his trials and tribulations with us and even asked for advice. May he rest in peace. Though I'll never understand how someone could take their own life, I'll always admire the man.

[stainlee]

very sad news.

my thoughts and prayers to tex's family and friends.

it definately made me laugh quite a bit reading some of his posts and threads.

he will be missed.

[bideau]

Unless someone has suffered from or knows someone who has suffered from severe clinical depression, they have no way of comprehending the emotional pain that these poor people suffer every waking moment. I've witnessed it in the suicide of a 16 yr old friend of my daughter who had suffered depression from early childhood. It was a helpless feeling to witness it. It was stunning to find out that the note she left behind said she had never been happier than at that moment.

Oed was not my personal friend, he was my internet friend. I have no right to stand in judgement of his actions. I'm choosing to remember him from his Planet postings. I'll miss his odd insights and British take on American politics. I'll think of his family and friends who are no doubt wondering what they could have done differently. And I'll hope that he found peace from the demons that this illness inflicts on its victims who so desperately try to escape them.

Rest in Peace Oed and bless those that you left behind.

[#54]

I stumbled across the Planet last preseason and lurked here all year. Oed will always be one of my favorite posters. He made me think, about football and life. He made me fall out of my chair laughing quite a few times and he had me shaking my head in bewilderment, too.
I didn't know him, never talked to him, but from reading his posts I grew to respect and like him.
Oed, I hope you are now at peace and I hope you know that you reached what so many of us want. Immortality. Your words will live forever on this board and more importantly...in our hearts.

[dchester]

Originally posted by Spinal Tap
This is crushing news. My condolensces go out to his family. I am truly saddened by this tragic news.

However, and I know I'll probably be chastized for saying this, but I have a real problem with honoring someone who takes their own life. This may not be the time nor the place to express these views. But I thought that we should all take a step back and think about what Tex's actions have done to his family and close friends. Again, this is awkward but it's the way I feel. I'm angry.
I just feel bad that he didn't feel he had anyone that he could turn to. I remember when he turned to us with his delimna over making "the switch". It was part funny and serious at the same time. Some of us tried to be supportive, and other were quite critical and judgemental, although none of us had a clue about the depths of his inner turmoil.

I know that the next time someone really posts in need, I'll make a better attempt to be supportive.

Tex, I hope you've found some peace, but I still feel quite sad about this.
________
Yamaha OX99-11 specifications (http://www.yamaha-tech.com/wiki/Yamaha_OX99-11)

[PatsFanDan]

I've avoided this thread all day because I really just don't know what to say. Like most here, I knew Tex only thru his posts. But it was obvious he was a bright guy who had a lot to offer. He will be missed on the board but more importantly he will be missed by his family and friends. My condolensces to them in this difficult time.

[Spinal Tap]

I liked Tex very much. I never knew he even had a problem with depression. He always seemed like a happy person who really had a lot going for him. He got to travel the world for his job. He had a girlfriend that seemed to care about him an awful lot. I think I'm just kinda shocked at the news of his suicide.

My condolensces go out to Tex's family and friends.

[TrueBeliever]

Yeah, I've been avoiding this thread too. I'm still gradually adjusting to my mom being gone; then Peter Jennings dies, and now suddenly one of the Planeteers. And now, as I write this, I hear Barbara Bel Geddes (who played Miss Ellie on Dallas ) has died. It's like since Mom went every time I hear of the death of someone I at all knew it's a punch in the gut.

I'd like to add a little to what bideau said earlier. Unfortunately, our society still has a good way to go in understanding mental illness. A gal I work with, for example, used to say, "If people want to kill themselves, we should just let them because they're just losers anyway." Then a friend of her family's shot himself. Needless to say, she changed her tune.

People who commit suicide aren't "losers", they just don't have the capability to deal with things the way that mentally healthy people do. A guy who went to my high school (and to my college for a semester) shot himself one night during winter break after he went to a nightclub and someone did a minor hit-and-run fender-bender on his car, for God's sake.

I would also like to talk a bit about what we called the "Internet will". At one of the boards I used to post at, one of the Pats forum moderators died unexpectedly of a heart attack (I think she was only in her early 40s). All they knew was that all of a sudden she just stopped posting; it was weeks before they were finally able to find out who she really was and learned what happened to her.

After that, it was suggested to us that everyone should have a person they know in real life (not just on the Internet) who could go on to the websites they go on to and notify people if they died or were in an accident, etc. The soon-to-be Mrs. TB and I have done this to an extent, writing down our handles and passwords for any websites involving financial information. Haven't gone as far yet as to tell her about my Planet info and my log-on as beeradvocate.com, etc., but it's probably not a bad idea.

My condolences to Tex's family. What awful news.

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Just thought I'd pass this along, guys:

Ken -

I wanted to thank you for your support recently, and ask you to pass my thanks along to the people at Patriots Planet. Could you post this? Thanks.

Hi, Planet.
You all don't know me, but I'm Shannon Finneran, girlfriend of "Oedipus Tex." When "Flagg" first told me that he posted the news here, I was a little pissed off. But tonight I went to look at the thread, and seeing all of your reactions to Tom's death really did me some good.
Sometimes, each of us is in our own little world, and we forget how much of an effect each of us has on everyone around us, no matter how minor our contact seems to be.

It's been almost two weeks now, and I'm still struggling to make sense of this. I understand that Tom was sick, and suffering, but he had a successful business that many his age would have killed to have, parents who loved him, and my family absolutely adored him. I know you all know the history between Tom, Erin, and myself. Ask yourself how many fathers that you know would love and accept a daughter's (daughters'? forgive my grammar, Tom) boyfriend who did this. (To be fair, I had more than a little hand in that, as you all know.)

Tom was an amazing person. He had the gift that few have of talking to people on their own level without ever talking down to them. I was with him when he absolutely skewered a guy who was bragging about mensa membership...but after putting the guy firmly in his place, they left as friends. You know the saying "It's not what you say, but how you say it?" Tom had the gift of making people laugh at themselves, and appreciate him for pointing it out. He used it beautifully in his business - picture that he had been running a business in international trade consulting since before his 25th birthday! To do that, you need to make people trust you, and know that you have something valuable to contribute.

But mostly, he loved people. I never knew him to put himself above another person - whether the person was a close friend or a stranger. When he drove, he was the guy that slowed down to let people in ahead of him. One time on a date, he gave up our reservations to a couple behind us who he overheard stressing about making a movie after dinner.

It may have been this that ate him up more than anything. He forever put himself second. He had a good deal of survivor guilt from Thailand. People say that suicide is selfish, and I understand that (boy do I understand that...) But from his perspective he could never give enough, he could never help enough. Hell, he felt guilty of the time he spent here.

Look, Tom was no saint. If it wasn't for his well-developed conscience, he would have been a womanizer without peer. He wanted to please people so badly that he tended to hide unpleasant truths (in his personal life, not his business life) until he was boxed into a corner. When he was down, he tended to miss appointments, deadlines, dates...even days. And then he scrambled like hell to fix everything just before it all was totally lost.

His depression was an eye opener for me. When he was dating Erin, she once came out of work to find him asleep in the back of her car in his boxers. He said he'd been there for about six hours. In the end, he lived his life with his emotions on his sleeve. I'm not suprised there was no note - none was needed.

I do know that he had fun here and thought very highly of both the general level of intelligence and thoughtfulness (in terms of thinking things through) of the people on this board. I appreciate your kind words during this difficult time. I am sorry for all of you that only knew Tom as Tex. You missed more than you can ever know.

Thank you, and be good to yourselves.
Shannon.

[BizarroAnnihilus]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
Tom was an amazing person.

Thank you, and be good to yourselves.
Shannon.

It sounds like Tom/Oed was as cool a guy in real life as he was on the 'Net. That's not too surprising to Annihilus. His personality shined through his words here and will be missed. Many of us were truly distressed when we heard about his going missing in Thailand and this news obviously hits us that much harder.

Thanks for posting that Flagg.

[dchester]

Thanks Shannon for taking the time to share some of your thoughts with us. I'm really sorry for your loss.
________
starcraft replays (http://screplays.com/)

[NCPATRIOT]

This news is so sad. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family. Thanks so much for posting this..

[mgoblue101415]

For the most part, the majority of us around here have never met, yet spending day in and day out chatting with each other, arguing, laughing, and sharing thoughts, there is a small relationship that is formed. You get a chance to know people, or at least the side that they let you see. And while Tom obviously had problems we around here were unaware of, Tex was the source of many laughs and memorable discussions. His wit and humor were truly unique, and will be missed, but definitely not forgotten. How many of us can keep ourselves from laughing anytime owls or sisters are mentioned? I doubt many.

I pray he has found peace and I pray for all his family, friends, and loved ones. May they find strength and comfort.

[Major A$$hole*]

Wow! I'm really speechless. I don't know what to say except that I am deeply sorry for your loss Shannon. I cant even imagine what you and the rest of Tex family are going through.
Sad day for the "planet" indeed.

[maelli]

It doesn't seem possible to shed a tear for someone I've never spoken to or met in real life, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Oed, wherever you are, I hope you have found peace and tranquility in the afterlife. The world is just a little sadder and poorer without you around to kick it's butt just a little.

RIP Tex.

[IndyPatriotfan]

I mostly lurk here, never really been one to offer much of an opinion. That's just how I am. I have read many of his posts, and have enjoyed all that he offered to a thread. Tex, my sincere condolences go out to all your loved ones. Rest in peace man.

[Bergs]

Shit.

R.I.P., Tex.

[sonsofkraftybob]

Well, we all know that he will like living in Gods house....after all it is decorated with Pats paraphenalia.......and Peyton thought it was Tom Bradys house.....

RIP

[PatsWin2002]

(speechless)

I just remember being so concerned of his whereabouts after the tsunami. And we were all so relieved and happy when he came back and posted again.

I looked up his profile and got a bit of a chill when I read his last post:

http://www.patriotsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?s=&postid=136619#post136619

June Jollies - Volunteer needed...

I need someone to run this if its going to happen. My ship is sinking right now.

& I nominate Sophia Vergara, who got left off somehow.

- Tex


You will be missed. :(

[FallingAlice]

This is just unspeakably awful.

He seemed like a very fine man.

My deepest sympathies and condolences, to you, Flagg Wanderer, and to Tex's family and loved ones. I only knew his screen persona. He was charming and brilliant.

A real loss.

[Hemi_1]

I missed this thread. Passed by it uncountable times. Then tonight, things are not going so well and I started reading.

Holy PF Flyers, Tex? Tom?

:(


The tsunami !!!

The sisters !!

The Owls !

The only thing I can even say is

Please God have mercy on our friend.

[FallingAlice]

Originally posted by Agnt42


Holy PF Flyers, Tex? Tom?

:(


The tsunami !!!

The sisters !!

The Owls !

The only thing I can even say is

Please God have mercy on our friend.

I know. It's awful. Somebody's going to have to pick up the slack.

Maybe we should have some sort of memorial thread and/or board piece?

[BuckWild]

Whenever you meet and laugh with someone they attach a tiny string to your heart. When that string is yanked out the pain is very real.

RIP my laughing friend.

Oedipus Tex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Undertaker #59]

It isn't a lot, but we have decided to rename the classics forum in honor of Oed. Oed was responsible for many of the threads you see in here and much of the humor in others. Many of these threads would not be "classic" without his contributions.

Hawg will have a new thread shortly about this in here. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and take some time and look through Oed's contributions over the years.

I am moving this thread to the newly renamed forum.

Happy Trails, Tex.

[#54]

Renaming the classics forum in honor of Oed may not seem like much, but it is the greatest show of love and the highest honor this board could bestow upon one of it's best members.

Another idea and you folks have probably already thought of this, is to have an Oed smilie or three.

Oed, thanks for all the laughs and all the deep thinks you made me thunk. RIP

[Ottawapatty]

RIP Tex,

I haven't posted much in the last few months, caught up in my own dramas, however, I came here today to gear up for the opener, which I have to miss because of a new job, and was floored by this news.

I will be watching the game tonight, on tape delay, and will try be sure to have a "cold one" for Tex and think about what I knew about him and his post and his place in the this world and the next.

RIP Tex.

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Most people stopped looking at this long ago, so I'm sure I'm talking to no one. With the talk about classic moments and someone even bringing up owls recently, I found myself back in here and I can't even tell you how much it means to read all of this.

I only talked to either of the Finneran sisters a couple times after this went down, and I really do miss Erin. It was just so painful to talk to them, but that was probably a horribly selfish reaction on my part. Would tracking them down now just reopen the wound? Probably.

Shit.

[BY1401]

Would tracking them down now just reopen the wound?

It might, but there's also a great deal of catharsis that comes from reestablishing connections with old friends, even under circumstances such as these.

You should do it.

[#54]

Most people stopped looking at this long ago, so I'm sure I'm talking to no one. With the talk about classic moments and someone even bringing up owls recently, I found myself back in here and I can't even tell you how much it means to read all of this.

I only talked to either of the Finneran sisters a couple times after this went down, and I really do miss Erin. It was just so painful to talk to them, but that was probably a horribly selfish reaction on my part. Would tracking them down now just reopen the wound? Probably.

Shit.

Flagg, you won't be reopening the wound because it is still as painful for them now as it is for you. When you love someone, the pain of that loss is never completely healed. But talking about him with others that knew and loved him well does help. It'll help to remind all of you about the good he did, the laughs he gave you, the times he pissed you off. Hey, you can't love someone without being angry with them at one point or another; that's life; so why not remember the bad along with the good after they're gone?

We here at the Planet will always remember Oedipus Tex, but you and the sisters are the ones that knew and loved Thomas Alexander Brantley. We here can not talk, laugh or bitch about him as well as those that really knew him.

If the sisters don't want to do this, well, that's cool, it's their choice; at least you'll have the peace of mind that you tried.

And if that does turn out to be the case, I know and understand how it is to lose a damn good friend so feel free to contact me whenever you want.

[TomWaits & you]

LMFAO! Too funny.

Hey, baby. Want to see a clear outline of my crotch? LOL!

http://www.patriotsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=8376

Bwahahahha!