Man receives Father’s Day card from dead gay son after 26 years

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A man has received a Father’s Day card from his son – who died of AIDS-related illness more than 20 years ago.

Duane Schrock, who lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, got the surprise of his life when he received a card from his late son, Duane Schrock Jr.

The pair had fallen out over Schrock Jr.’s sexuality decades before – but in 1989, Schrock Jr sent a Father’s Day card to his estranged dad, six years before dying of AIDS-related illness.

As Schrock Sr. had moved home several times, the card spent over two decades lost in the postal service, before it finally made its way to him just a few days after Father’s Day 2015.

It reads: “Dear Dad, we haven’t been in touch for quite a while, I’m doing fine and am very happy in Richmond, I’d like to hear from you. Have a Happy Father’s Day, Love Duane.”

The 87-year-old told ABC: “It was sure welcome, and it restores faith in the mail service.

“Somebody picked up the ball and carried it and after all these years they must still have forwarded it.

“I still kind of tear up when I think about it.”

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