Here’s a 21st century take on that old saw about civility: If you can’t say anything nice about a person, write it in his obituary.
And then watch it go viral.
The family of Leslie Ray “Popeye” Charping of Galveston, Texas, published a brutal obituary after his recent passing from cancer at age 74, saying it was “29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved.”
But did the family go too far? Among the survivors, the obituary lists two “relieved children” as well as “countless other victims including an ex-wife, relatives, friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses and random strangers,” and that in lieu of a funeral, his body would be cremated and kept in the barn “until ‘Ray,’ the family donkey’s wood shavings run out.”
Charping’s alleged sins were many: bad parenting, alcoholism, drug abuse, womanizing, “expediting trips to heaven for the beloved family pets” and “being generally offensive.” His adjudicated sins include a 2008 conviction for assaulting a family member by pouring hot liquid on his then-wife of 40 years, according to the Houston Chronicle.
“With Leslie’s passing he will be missed only for what he never did; being a loving husband, father and good friend. No services will be held, there will be no prayers for eternal peace and no apologizes to the family he tortured … Leslie’s passing proves that evil does in fact die and hopefully marks a time of healing and safety for all.”
The newspaper says the obituary apparently crashed the funeral home’s website, which has since removed the death notice.
Let us know: Do you think such raw obituaries have their place, or is it healthier to let such deaths pass without notice?
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out Remote Possibilities, the TV podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or Spreaker, or listen below or here.
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