Nick's Relationship With Gatsby 01/21/10

It seems as if Nick idolizes Gatsby. Throughout the book, Nick sought to be with Gatsby at all of his raging parties, visited him regularly at his home, and assisted him in his affair with Daisy. It was a type of mutual respectful relationship, in my eyes. Gatsby seemed to understand Nick, at least in Nick's eyes. He was a kind fellow who did not challenge anyone or threaten him. Nick was almost a bit of a Gatsby groupie throughout the novel, it seemed.
Why does Nick try so hard to get people to Gatsby's funeral or erase the dirty word from his sidewalk? Again, Nick seemed to respect Gatsby for who he had become and the things he had and worked for. But in addition, I think Nick felt sorry for Gatsby. Nick could see that no-one was going to show up to the funeral, after all the parties they invited themselves to, in order to partake of Gatsby's riches. "One night I did hear a material car there (at Gatsby's)...but I didn't investigate. Probably it was some final guest who had been away at the ends of the earth and didn't know that the party was over." Perhaps he saw that he had also used Gatsby a bit and was ashamed to be numbered with all the other fake, shallow individuals who showed up to Gatsby's parties.
Perhaps Nick learned a great lesson from Gatsby, which was that living in a superficial, made-up "reality" only brought Gatsby pain and eventual death. He had worked so hard to be someone he clearly wasn't. Perhaps this is why Nick leaves for home at the end of the novel. Perhaps he sees the follies of his ways and decides not to repeat those mistakes.
I think Nick did consider Gatsby a close friend. Although he may not have approved of everything he did, Nick seemed to be drawn to Gatsby. He learned many lessons from him and enjoyed his company. Perhaps his experience with observing Gatsby's shortcomings and death changed his direction in life for the better, in essence, saving his very life.