Randy Tost, on the right, and his best friend John Helinski
Really good friends are a blessing. I received a phone call this morning relaying words I knew would be coming. The words of the passing of one of those dear friends. Randy Tost and I became acquainted through his interest with my wildlife art. We quickly became friends and a rare bond developed.
We visited each other from time to time to talk over our many similar interests. We would often talk hunting. He enjoyed my adventures through this site and I enjoyed reading his journal notes. We, both, loved the natural world. We were brothers in Christ too. The two of us were in total agreement over the current political state of America and concerns of the future of this country.
Randy was seeing a potential issue over diabetes and began walking to decrease his weight and, hopefully, correct this prior to needing insulin. However, the walking and weight loss wasn’t helping with the diabetes. The disease was progressing. Eventually, it was discovered he had pancreatic cancer. This explained the increase of the disease.
We continued visiting each other until very recently when medication and health would just “play him out”. I wondered over his decision to not obtain any treatment, but I respected and admired his courage. Randy had lost his wife sometime ago to the terrible disease of cancer. He knew the issues and prolonging that often accompanies the treatment.
As the leaves were turning red and yellow, Randy invited me to visit him and his best friend John Helinski. John lives in Alabama currently, but they had been friends for many, many years. Big John, as he is commonly known, and I immediately bonded and our talks were as if we had known each other for years. He is a good man!
I have met some of the offspring of Randy and Susie Tost and I found them all to be exceptional young men and women. Randy was very proud of his children.
Randy, my friend, rest in peace and I’ll see ya along the trail!!!
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
Larry – Your words are a blessing. They are a recognition of a good person who lived a good life and raised his family the right way—-with Christian ethics and morals. Yes, he was my best friend, my very best friend, but he was also an example of what a real Christian should be. His modest life style and the way his children turned out speaks volumes. Thanks for making him your friend. Big John (Helinski)
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John, We will miss our friend. He was a good and decent man! Yes, he was a man with good morals. We can be proud to call him friend. As I do you too!
Big John, Larry, I did not know Randy very well although, I could feel he was a good man. I am very sorry for your loss.
Kip, He really enjoyed the box calls he obtained from you and the visit. I am glad you had the opportunity to meet.