In Memory Of....

Some time ago, some close friends of my family were in a terrible motorcycle accident, they were luckier than most & did not lose their lives. However, the accident has made me aware of all of you who weren't so lucky & did lose fellow brothers & sisters. This will be your section to submit photos, stories, poems, or anything else you would like to add. If you have lost a fellow brother or sister & would like to have them remembered here, please email me your tribute at bikerchick@damnbikers.com or you can go here to send in your stories & I will post them.

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In Memory of Cory Went

Cory was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was someone who could make you love him in a matter of seconds! My life was dedicated to him until his early departure on August 23, 2002! He is missed very much by family and friends! I (we) know he is watching over all those he cared about!! I loved him with all my heart and will remember him always!! He was loved by all and touched the hearts of everyone he met!! He was someone you had to know, what would life/love be without him??!!
Love with all my heart!!

When Tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.

The angel said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
That I would have to leave behind,
All those I dearly loved.

But when I walked through Heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home,
For God look down smiled at me,
And told me welcome home.

So when Tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For everytime you think of me,
I'm right there in your heart!

I'll love you always, Cory!!!

From Sara DeCaire
10/14/03

In Memory of Ted "Teddybear" Cox

On October 5,2003 Ted took his last ride. A 22yr old driver under the influence took Teddy out from behind. Ted was the true meaning of a biker, he had a heart as big as he. Ted left behind many family and friends. This was a tragic and preventable loss. We miss you greatly and love you always. You will never be forgotten. Ride Hard and Free, we luve ya , bro

From All the gang at Crow's
10/10/03

On November 26, 1993, his life was taken from him and our hearts were torn
apart. If love could have saved him he would've lived forever...  I've watched
his sons grow up without their father and I've felt the the agony of his loss
every day of my life...  He was a constant source of inspiration, respect,
integrity, loyalty and most importantly Love...  He possessed a gift so rarely
seen in life that he had the ability to fill up a room with his presence.  He was
my brother and he was a good man.  His son turned 18 this year and as I
watched him celebrate I realized what a gift he had given me with his children.  I see his face in their smiles often and it comforts me.  He is gone but he will never be forgotten...  His body was murdered that night but his soul will live on in all of us who wi;; love him forever...  I hope that I'll be allowed to join him someday in Heaven as I would give anything just to see him one more time...  All my love to you in Heaven Big Brother.

R.I.P. Mike Lawson 1961-1993  AFFA

Love, Michelle
10/9/03

The Legend of Potash Road
A tribute To Glenn Glaze
 July 23, 1951-September 14, 2003
I'm feeling quite a bit sad today,
Cause my good friend has passed away,
He didn't deserve to die that way.
But someone damn sure deserves to die today
Looks like someone decided my friend had a debt to pay
But why is now the time? Why with his life did he have to pay?
Let me tell you a story that needs to be told,
How a coward put a bullet thru a heart of gold.
They may have killed the man
But they'll never kill his soul.
This is the story of the Legend,
The Legend of Potash Road. 
A Believer, an Achiever, a Creator, a Navigator,
Who somehow lost his way,
But he hung on to a few friends, You know who you are, He's glad your here today!
Last seen smiling, boots on, riding free, Down a road that led to eternity.
Where his mighty Ultra Classic would forever ride him free.
Let me tell you a story that needs to be told,
How a coward put a bullet thru a heart of gold,
They may have stopped the man,
But the legends only grow,
 They put a bullet thru his heart,
But just go see the place and then you'll know
The bike he loved , It didn't crash, It gently laid him down.
Thanks for the song Drew

From Jeannie Mcculley
10/7/03

In Memory of Penny Curtis Nau

Penny Curtis was force to be reconed with.  She had the energy of 5 children and the spirit of someone who never knew pain.  Penny left behind 2 Children, and many, many friends that feel the pain of her death daily.  She was killed while doing the one thing that would always put a smile on her face, she was riding Harley.  April 26, 2003 will be a day of rememberance for all of us that knew and loved her.  I have uploaded the one picture and poem that does justice to her memory. Thank you for creating a site that we can always go to, to remember.

Sincerley,
Penny's Friends

A Memorial Run will be planned for next summer, it will be named
            (PENNY'S FROM HEAVEN)

From Tina Nowak
9/12/03

In Memory of Sandra Lee

I unfortunately did not have the pleasure to know this woman. I was emailed this today and I, like many of us in the biker world know this story all too well. Sandra sounded like a wonderful woman and her story is being forwarded via email. When I read this, I immediatly thought of DamnBikers.com. Sandra Lee and to Sandra's family, friends, and to all of us who have lost someone, God Bless Our Brothers & Sisters in heaven- May they Ride Free Forever and God watch over us all here...Here's Sandra's Story.....

My name is Sandra Lee and I was killed on August 23, 2003 by a right of way
violator. It is hard for me to be patient with people who say "it was just
an accident." There was my death to consider and it matters. Whatever
happened has consequences and they are irrevocable and irreversible. Since I
am the one that died, I think the truth is owed. I know you didn't mean to
kill me but you did.
The truth is that you didn't take the five seconds to
look twice before you turned. You could have saved my life!
    The truth is that you weren't paying attention. You just just didn't see me.
One very real truth is that over two-thirds of motorcyclist's
deaths are caused by drivers, not motorcyclists. When one person dies it is
a tragedy but when over 2,000 people die nationwide, it becomes a statistic.
The unfortunate truth is that a lane change, casual red light run, untimely
cell phone call or a driver's inattentive left turn can, and in my case did,
result in death.
               The truth is that the motorcycling community makes efforts
to educate the driving public about the presence of motorcycles on the road.
We are putting up billboards and trying to gain attention in the media. We
are lobbying state governments for increases in right of way violation
penalties. The saddest truth of all is that our message continues to go
unheeded by the general public. There is an attitude of indifference against
motorcyclists. My life was reduced to a ticket for a right of way violation.
Just maybe, the person who killed me will get charged with misdemeanor death
by vehicle. Probably though, the insurance company and the lawyers will get
the charge reduced to a right of way violation ticket. To them, the value of
my life will be reduced to a $25.00 fine.

               The truth is that "misdemeanor" and "death" should never be
used in the same sentence. The truth about that violation is that my life
was forfeited. I can no longer be a wife, a mother or a grandmother. Because
you see. sometimes when you kill a motorcyclist. you also kill a family. My
husband understands that you didn't mean to kill me, but you did.

               The truth is that cars are smoother and more comfortable to
drive. It is easy to forget that you are moving two tons of steel and
plastic down the road. Inside that car of yours, you had air bags, seat
belts and anti-lock brakes to keep you safe. I guess a collision with a six
hundred pound motorcycle just wasn't very threatening to you. Now you
understand or at least I hope you understand that one more look. just five
more seconds. could have saved my life.

               The truth is there is an attitude of indifference by our
legislators and our judicial system regarding matters of right of way
violation. Perhaps they don't understand just how vulnerable I was. Perhaps
no one believes that motorcycles have as much right to be on the road as
other modes of transportation. It is time for legislators, prosecutors and
judges to understand when dealing with motorists who cause motorcycle
crashes that most of these "accidents" are preventable.

               The truth is ironic that I would be killed by a
right of way violator. I spent the last year of my life lobbying for
increased penalties for right of way violators in Raleigh. The truth is that
the legislators were more concerned with the legal and insurance
ramifications of increased penalties.

               The truth is throughout the ages, every minority on
earth has had to fight for equality and it seems that now is the time for
motorcyclists to stand up and demand they have the same rights as everyone else on the road.

               I hope the final truth is from this day forward, you
will tell everyone you know that if only you would have looked twice, if
only you would have taken five more seconds, you could have saved my life.

NOTE: Written by Sandy's good friend Deb Knox.
=======================================================

You can look at Sandy and tell she's someone's grandmother, and someone that lived free.
Sandy had been riding for a long time.  She had her own bike, and rode
beside Ray, her husband.  They live in Horry County, South Carolina,
They are solid citizens who believe in standing up for what's right.
This Right of Way bill was something they both fervently believed
was necessary.  Sandy was at our state legislature each and every time that
bill was so much as breathed on.  That was a LOT of 3 hour trips.

The day she was killed, she was on her way to meet their grown kids for
breakfast.  Ray's bike was at a friend's so he took four wheels and followed
Sandy.  One of the bittersweet facts of this breakfast meeting was that
their son was meeting them there.... He'd just gotten home from Iraq less
than two days before.

I won't go into the details, it really is moot now anyway, but suffice to
say the person that killed Sandy had to cross 3 lanes to do it.  Sandy was
traveling about 40 mph and struck the car in the right front tire well.
Ray wasted no time getting to her side but she was gone.

Ray, he wanted something to go out, something that he
hoped would spur other riders to work harder on this Right-of-Way bill.
Those who knew her best say it was what she would have wanted.

From Dawn
9/11/03

In Memory of Kagome

to my one true love no one will take your place with me.i hope you ride like the wind and dont stop till you get to heaven.you will never be forgoten

From Brian weed aka BigWeed
9/8/03

In Memory of Kyle William Turner Wright

On april 26 1999, my 14 year old son was ripped away from his loving family by his so called best friend. Who shot him in the back of the head and left him for dead. Kyle loved to ride, he was 2 years shy of being legal to ride his own bike. We were robbed, he was robbed.  Kyle had been on the back of my bike since he was a young child, he lived to ride...even at a young age...rest quietly my boy, what goes around comes around. You are never forgotten, we will ride again someday...love you always ...MOMMY MAX

9/02/03

In Memory of Robin and Grizz

I just got home from the Sturgis 2003 Rally and had to come here and add my memorial to this page....
  My sister Robin and her Husband(Grizz) were hit by a Semi over 4  years ago on the border of Idaho and Oregon west of Boise,Idaho.
  They both were riders for years, and had always wanted me to go to Sturgis with them. I did not get to go until just this year. It was all they said it was going to be. I stayed at the BuffaloChip Campground and had a great time.
  I put a memorial to them on the Topless Bus at the Full Throttle Saloon.
Both of them were active in A.B.A.T.E. and lots of other biker activity. They are missed and still loved a lot. So heres to you two and Fuck the trucker that feel asleep and took you from us.
Your Brother Mark (TURBO)  love ya sis
8/10/03

In Memory of Garland Ross Raines

Ross was a very loved fellow brother that we lost to cancer May 15, 2002.  He is sadly missed by us all.  This poem was written for him.

Gone But Never Far

We grieve with sadness today, for Ross, our dear friend.
The broken hearts we carry, will take such time to mend.

For so many years, we rode at his side,
But now we watch him go off on a solo ride.

Anyone who knew him had a good friend for life.
So our hearts are now heavy knowing of his strife.

I know we will miss him when we gather for a ride.
But he will never be too far.  We all carry him inside.

I'm not sure how you get angel wings when you die.
If it's by how much you loved, I know that Ross can fly.

He'll be our guardian angel and we'll never ride alone.
He'll guide our bikes along, and lead us safely home.

At Ross's funeral, we all stood together outside and watched an eagle soar high above.  It was very powerful and has become a sign for us that he is watching over us.  On the first Ross Raines Memorial Ride, we encountered an eagle above us as we made our way along as a group.  We know that he is with us, whether there is a sign or not.  God Speed Brother!

From Cricket LaCross
8/7/03

This is in memory of THOMAS A. GARLAND IV
6/5/72 -  8/17/03
WE ALL MISS YOU DADDY LOVE MIA ALEX THOMI AND SAVANNAH AND ANGIE. You are sadly missed, and may you soul rest in peace forever!!!

7/27/03

On Monday 7/14/03 my boss, Tom Straw of Wimington, Ohio, was ran over by a guy playing with the radio in a minivan he was test driving. Tom was waiting for the traffic to clear to turn left into his driveway and the man hit him from behind. He never even slowed down. It is rumored that his young daughter watched the whole thing. Anyway, Tom was a good guy, rode Harleys all of his life, and even if he seemed a little gruff to those around him, all one had to do was mention a bike or the biker lifestyle and he perked right up. You'll be missed Tom, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family and friends who have been saddened by your death. Watch out for those 4 wheelers cause they sure won't watch out for you. Steve Huffman

7/22/03

i have been looking for this over a year now. a way to pass on to my fellow bikers the feeling of care, sorrow and loss that we all feel when ever we hear of a biker going down, wheather we know them or not. i am a Navy Seabee and live far from my family in the midwest. my father was also in the navy and i seem to follow in his footsteps and we share the same things in common. all my life we have always said that one day i would get my bike and we would always ride together. someday we would ride to many places and see great things side by side on our bikes....father and son.
   on June 15, 2002 at 9:20 pm as i was putting my kids to bed i went to answer the phone. it was the day before fathers day and i was anxious to hear from dad since he had just left our small town early in the morning and was headed to Washington State for a reunion with an old Navy buddy. on the other end of the phone was my sister. very upset and wanting me to get my wife in the room with me. since my brother in law had been fighting a kidney transplant just a few weeks before i feared the worse had happen. but instead. it was my world crashing to the ground.
     At 4:32 pm in western Iowa, my father riding with my step mother..together for 20 years doing what they loved the most were sideswiped by a semi trailor on their motorcycle and were killed. my world did fall apart. my little girls ask for thier papa and i don't have my sailor buddy anymore. i was home for three weeks for the funeral. i came home and i bought my motorcyle. now i ride with my dad and stepmother all the time. even as we pass one year of that fatefullday, they are still riding with me....live to ride....ride to live...god love you Bob and Phyllis Cummins


                       Wayne Cummins
7/14/03

In Memory of Billy "JED"  Randolph
May 1967 - July 2002

Wow what can I say.  Here I come upon this site 2 days before the one year anniversary of my husbands funeral. He was a wild guy when I met him and 11 years later became that wild guy once he got his Harley Softtail Nighttrain.  He desperately wanted a bike for many years and he worked hard for it. Well, we didn't know that would be how his life would end doing something that he had dreamt about for many years.  To my dear Jed... I will forever love you and will always remember that little boy look in your eyes when you first pulled up in your leathers. You had this look of accomplishment on your sweet face. 
 
Ride free my sweet Billy boy...  May 1967 - July 2002

I will love you forever,
your sweet Missy...
7/11/03

In memory of Destry 'Papa Bear' Nixon
1/19/53-11/14/02

I just wanted to see my Daddy's name up here. I wanted to say that to the people who were lucky enough to know my father loved him. He was an ex-navy seal, a truck driver for years, and alway's a biker at heart. My father taught me about the code of honor amoung the "old school" bikers and made damn sure I followed it. It was instilled in me at birth and because of those values that the true of heart bikers stick to I am the best person that I can be. Because of my papabear. We lost my Daddy at 7:29AM November 14th 2002. In vietnam he could see his enemies to fight them....most of the time. But he was a severe diabetic and it's hard to hold your ground against something you can't see. He put up the good fight and stood tall,but eventually he lost his toes...then his feet, and he couldn't ride the chopper he had built that had been his dream of doing since he was a young man. He had several good years on the old girl,but losing his ability to ride in my opinion was the last straw for my Dad. My father was a smart-ass. Alway's had the best comebacks on any subject. He could rattle off jokes that most people couldn't remember if they had a week to practice. He was a giant of a man. Big belly, big arms, big beard, and most importand of all a big heart. When people would first meet him they were intimidated to say the least. And believe me he played it up to the hilt, until his true teddybear nature showed through. But God forbid if somebody pissed him off or did wrong. He stood tall, he fought his own battles. He was straight forward and alway's told it like it was. Whether you wanted to hear it or not. He fiercely protected his family, his friends, and even a complete stranger if he thought someone was doing them wrong. Dad would give you his last dollar if you asked. He had an incrediable sometimes warped sense of humor. Exspecially whenever I'd bring a boyfriend home to meet him and it never failed. He'd alway's have his beloved 44 dirty harry gun pointed straight at their chest when they walked through the door

From Tracy Nixon
6/8/03

IN MEMORY OF  BROTHER MAGOO WITH THE VIET NAM VETS MC

DIED DUE TO AGENT ORANGE IN VIET NAM AND BELOVED IN THE UNITED STATES ESPECIALLY THE BAY AND STOCKTON VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA. HE LEFT BEHIND HIS 1999 ROAD KING AND SIDE CAR WHEN HE WAS TO BLIND TO RIDE SOLO. SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND 3 KIDS, AND HUNDREDS OF BROTHER WHO LOVED HIM

5/29/03

In Memory of Tiffany

on feb.7 97
I brought u into this world and god took u away I know he had better intentions for u but I would have loved to had u on the back of my bike saying mommy where we going u were to young though. I miss you and think of u each time we r on the motorcycle every kid says mecycle and I wanted so much to here those words come from u I love u baby girl and hope ur ready to ride in another world we hold ur memories and share ur prayers and I hope some day I get to hold u one more time on the other side but until then just smile down at mommy when she rides and protect her for I know ur mommy's little angel. I love you tiff  love always Harley momma   Rita rector

6/4/03

In Memory of John Patrick Bergin Rescue 5 NYFD
November 11 1961 - September 11 2001

Welcome to my city,
it's not the same
as it used to be.

It just looks so much
different now.
And it doesn't seem the
same to me.

It was once the land,
of hope and dreams.
It was once the land,
of plenty.

But now her lights,
don't shine as bright,
and these streets I walk,
feel cold and empty.

And the heartache
of this emptiness,
It cuts me to the core.

I wonder.
Will we meet again my friend,
on some distant shore?

And are there other worlds
than this?
Or are we but footprints
in the sand?

To be washed away
by time and tide.
From where we once
walked hand in hand.

The city I had known
seems now so far away.
Lost to me, so suddenly,
on that warm September day.

Lost amid the wreck and ruin,
like scattered shards of shattered glass.
Are once loved people, and familiar faces,
now lost forever to the past.

From bartman
6/3/03

In Memory of Arthur Garner

We lost him at 18 years young while riding just around the block from home. He dreamed of riding to many places. Many miles are ridden for him still to this day. He loved motorcycles and everything about them. 22 years later and not forgotten!

From Adam
5/26/03

In Memory of RZ

Ronnie was a great life companion and father - being missed is putting it mildly - he and I put 7000 miles on our bikes last summer. We lost him in December and you can tell he was a great dad through our 6 year old son whom the day after the motorcycle accident asked if he could see the bike - walked up to the ape hanger bars and held on to them and looked at me and said "Mommy, daddy is okay in heaven and wants you to continue to ride" they say kids are more in tune with death and that just proved it to me. It took me 45 days but I managed to get back on my bike and ride - our lil one always rode with daddy - but now he rides with me and tells me daddy is happy that we are riding again. For those of you ladies whom have lost a mate this way no one can come close to knowing the pain that we feel daily -
Ronnie we miss you and Love you and know we will see you again down the road, I know your trying out all those new roads we will ride together some day.
                                                                    Love - Mary and Anthony
5/21/03

Pig was a true Brother in every sense of the word, He was there good times and bad. And even though he left for Idaho to Stay with Friends up there He was always there if he was needed, He l know the Brother is In the Heavens ridin' that Ol' 57 and I know he Be waiting for The rest of the Brothers when we arrive with a Cold one in Hand. Rest in Peace My Brother.

PIG
Ronald John Arnold
5-21-48 - 11-5-92
Henchmen Motorcycle
Club 1%er
5/19/03

In Memory of Bill & Marybeth

Bill & Marybeth were good people. Bill was one crazy motherfucker. Marybeth
had a heart of gold. Together they made a family, two daughters. One night in
July they were taken from us in a senseless accident. They loved there Harley
together, they rode there Harley together, they died on there Harley
together. When your cruisin down the hi-ways give them a thought and say hi
to Bill & Marybeth. Next time your at your local bar, have a drink for them.
They are loved and missed every day.
                                                                             
     MISS YOU BOTH
                                                                             
              BUZ 5/4/03

In Memory of Colett, Papa and to all those who have passed, and to those whom carry on their names.

May you all be ridding along the path of gold.
             Looking at those pearly gates.
   For we are ridding, contributing to your memories.
To the freedom that is felt  amongst  brothers and sisters on
                the peace of this earth.

        Remembering your smile, the way you shaped so many souls,
         the art that you displayed, the emotion that you shared.
      The parties, gatherings, and these words are in memory of you.

               Every changing day, every starlit  night, you are thought of,
                                     missed and loved.

          Though you are not here in the physical, you are here.
       In the mind, body and soul of those whom carry on your names.

                     Together, in heavens dreams,
    may all of you ride proud as you see the things we have all done.

From Tabitha (cajun eskimo)
5/3/03

In Memory of Robert Marro Jr (BO)

BO was killed in august 2003 in what could be considered a SHADY accident  (Robert Marro Jr Memorial Page). doing what he loved to do. riding in the years that I knew him he became more then a friend he became my brother he taught me everything I know about building, fixing and racing bikes. how to do the best you can with what you got, live life to the fullest and truly be free covered with tattoos and living that life long battle with the demons most of us share he still managed to touch the hearts of more people then anyone I've ever known. including mine, I miss riding with you bro looking to my left and waiting to see your front tire come up and hear you laugh at me just before I catch glimpse of your tail light, trying like hell to catch up  only for you to slow down and yell at me for driving to fast, I even miss you teasing me, when I make some dumb mistake building or fixing a bike. I know you weren't done teaching me and I wasn't done learning. we still ride for you and no one will ever take your place to my left. I miss and love you bro

From Quick
4/26/03

My nephew Justin Lee Eavey died too young on Halloween morning at 25 years old. He looked, as some would say, like a rotten apple. Like the rest of us he was tattooed, pierced and at times mentally unstable. But he had a heart of gold. He would drop whatever he was doing to help out with his mentally challenged uncle. They had to bring in more chairs at his funeral. They said it was the longest procession they had seen in 25 years. There were 50 yr old business men in suits, 20 yr old girls and different motorcycle groups all gathering to mourn the loss of  a young man. So it goes to show, you don't have to of lived a long time to touch the hearts of many human beings and make imprints on their souls. I miss you my nephew, my friend.

From Kathy
4/18/03

In memory of Destry 'Papa Bear' Nixon
1/19/53-11/14/02

Daddy, I'm so sorry I wasn't there to answer the phone, I wish I'd got there soon enough to say goodbye.  But Tracy's regret is much deeper than mine.  If only you could let her know not to hold to tightly to her past actions.  Of course anything alive has things they regret, wish they could go back and change.  I hope you finally came to peace with yours from Nam.  Too many years to bear a burden that didn't need to be there. 

I believe everyone knows in their gut when their gonna die, and if I'm right I'll be seeing you soon.  All I can say is that scoot better be fired up and ready to roll.  I know your riding again up there.  Ol 'resurrection' is probably prettier there than she is here. 

So until we all meet together again, we love and miss you Papa Bear.

Love and Remember, Michelle and Tracy
4/9/03