Information
Injured & Sick Riding Firefighters
and Friends of W&FMC
If
you have information to share about a "brother or sister firefighter"
drop the Club some email at jr.wfmc@sbcglobal.net
UPDATE
ON Don Lovell’s funeral
September 4th 2009
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BORN: Saturday June
12, 1937 SERVICE Sunday
September 6, 2009 VISITATION Saturday
September 5, 2009 |
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Don Lovell, age 72 of McLendon-Chisholm, TX,
passed away September 2, 2009. He was born June 12, 1937, in Terrell,
TX, to Onis Buren Lovell and Margerie (Marjorie?) Eloise (Caughran)
Lovell. Mr. Lovell proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force
Reserves. He served as a peace officer in Rockwall, Heath and in
Chisholm, TX, where he also served as past city councilman. A welder by
trade, he was a member of Chisholm Baptist Church. Mr. Lovell had a
passion for motorcycles and was an active, life-long member of Misfits of
Terrell, TX, and Rockwall Renegades. He loved racing cars and
brightened many days with his great practical jokes. Mr. Lovell was
also a pilot and loved to fly. Mr. Lovell is survived by his daughters:
Cynthia Sartain & husband Doug of Rockwall, TX, and Gina Dionne of San
Jose, CA; son: Philip Lovell & wife Rhonda of Rockwall, TX; brother: Gary
Lovell & wife Mindy of Rockwall, TX; grandchildren: Christe Doster &
husband Bobby, Amanda Roberts & husband Ryan, Brian Sartain & wife
Michele, Ashlie Anders, Anna Chancellor, Emma Chancellor, William Beamish
III, and Halie Dionne; great grandchildren: Ethan, Tyler, Makenzie, Kileigh,
Carter and Bryse; and father and mother-in-law: Derwood and Louise Boren of
Fate, TX. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Pat, and by his
parents. Funeral services will be held 3:00pm, Sunday,
September 6, 2009, at Chisholm Baptist Church with Dr. Rocky Weatherford
officiating. Interment will follow in McLendon-Chisholm Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon at Rest Haven Funeral
Home-Rockwall Chapel from 4:00 to 6:00pm. |
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Brother
of Gary Lovell WFMC officer and board member dies in accident
Don
Lovell
Rockwall
Texas
September
3, 2009
I
am very sorry to report that Don the brother of Gary Lovell was killed
yesterday in a motorcycle accident near his Rockwall TX home. More information
will be posted soon. Many of you know Gary and Mindy; Gary is a national WFMC
officer and Board member.
You can send cards to Gary and Mindy at 1411 Hwy 205 Rockwall, TX 75032
JR - President
Wind & Fire MC
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WFMC
Historian Mary ‘MIC’ Walker’s brother dies
Mike
Harmon
Auberry,
CA
May
21, 2009
Micheal Dean Harmon,
age 55, died on May 21, 2009 at his home in Atwater, California.
Mike was born
February 23, 1954 in Victorville, California; the son of Roger and Catherine
Harmon
He was a member of the
Auberry Community Church, Church of Christ and Seventh Day Adventist Church in
Auberry. He was an over the road truck
driver for 20 years, hauling agricultural produce.
He was preceded in
death by his father, Roger Harmon; and grandparents.
Surviving are his
mother, Catherine Harmon of Atwater; Bert Ereman of Atwater; sister, Mary
(Mike) Walker; Jason Walker, Catherine
Walker all of Merced; and Don Walker of Madera.
A memorial service
will be held at the Auberry Community Church, on June 13th.
In lieu of flowers,
please make contributions to: Hinds
Hospice, PO Box 763, Merced, CA 95341.
The date is confirmed.
The date for Mary Walker's brother's memorial service is
Saturday June 13th at 1pm in Auberry.
A pack will be riding to the service leaving from Merced HD
at 10am. This will give us time to stop and still arrive by
12:30pm
Everyone is welcome to ride, let me know if you plan on
going with us if you can or just show up at the Shop at before 10am on the 13th
of June.
Leaving at 10am sharp..............
John
Wind & Fire MC
Marilyn Jandro
Sister of
JR WFMC President
January 22, 2009
To All Wind & Fire MC Members &
Friends,
It
is with great sadness that we inform you all of John & Carol Robbins
passing of JR’s sister, Marilyn Jandro, on Friday, January 16th. After many days of battling the effects of a major
stroke, she found her place within the hands of our Lord.
We will be forming a pack ride to the
Arbor Vitae Cemetery, 1301 Roberts Ave, Madera from Merced on January 30th,
weather permitting. We’ll be meeting at
the Merced Yosemite HD Shop and leave at 11:00 AM sharp! Next stop will be at
the McDonald’s in Chowchilla for those who would rather meet there… plan on
leaving McDonald’s at 11:45 AM and heading south for Madera. We’ll make a brief
stop at the 4th Street exit off Hwy 99 to catch anyone from the
south and then proceed to the cemetery from there. We invite all to join us to
ride along in remembrance of Marilyn. If you cannot make it to either the ride
or final passage delivery, please send a card to John & Carol expressing
your thoughts for their loss. Their home address is;
3113 Tupelo Drive
Merced, CA 95348
Thank
you for your understanding and please keep both of them in your daily thoughts
and prayers. On behalf of the Wind & Fire MC, we hope you can join us for
this memorable occasion. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
call either cell phone below.
Mike
& Mary Walker Mark
& Becky Wahlberg
209-756-7242 209-602-6570
Member John Wards mother dies at age
93
WFMC Central – Sierra Chapter
- Mom -
“Ward”
December 12th, 2008
John Ward’s road name "JW lost his mother this
week. She had been sick for a long time and passed away at the age
of 93. Grave side service is Friday the 12th of December in Atascadero
CA.
John is the sgt-at-arms for the Central - Sierra Chapter and
is a past national board member.
Please keep JW and family in your thoughts and
prayers. If you want to sent a card to John you can at :
John Ward PO Box 129 Columbia, CA 9310
Thanks
JR
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Member John Walters son injured in
Iraq
WFMC Dakota Smoke Hogs Chapter
Tony Walters
September 2, 2008
Hey JR,
I got a terrible phone call at 8:00 this morning. One of our
W&F brothers, who is also my blood brother’s son, took a hit in Iraq. He
has 2 boys and they're both serving in Iraq. He also did a 14 month tour. His
name is John Walters from the Dakota Smoke Hogs.
His youngest boy Tony got hit by a pipe bomb last night. He
had his armor on so thank God he is still alive. It got hit in both his arms.
He had surgery today to take out the shrapnel. They are leaving his arms open
to drain the fluid.
He will be flown to Germany and then to Walter Reed Hosp. in
D.C. Johns e-mail address is engsarg@hotmail.com. Please keep him
and his son and all our prayers. I'll keep you informed as I find things out.
Mike Walters
Chapter Director
Dakota Smoke Hogs
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“Sherelle
Lynn Walker “
Wind
& Fire MC’s Indian Princes
Gallup
NM
July 3, 2002
To
WFMC members and friends:
Some days I only seem to get bad news. Sherrelle's mom called me tonight,
Sherrelle was in a very serous accident
today near Gallup NM.
Those of you that rode to Washington DC on our Club's 10th anniversary in 2001
will remember her as the "Little Indian Princes" that met us in Tuba
City for breakfast. She is also the young lady that walked from Calif to
Washington DC in memory of the Indian Veterans. An amazing young
lady. She
is no longer a little princes she is grown and in college.
Sherrelle was on the reservation today with a Indian youth group when she fell
from a rock. Sherrelle received major back injuries. Her back may
be
broken at C-2. As of a few minutes ago she was in a lot of pain.
The extent of the injuries won't be know for a few hours. The
injuries are
life threatening at the worst or a very very serous spinal injury at
best.......
Please keep Sherrelle, her mom and family in your thoughts and prayers.
I will send more information as I get it.
JR-President
WFMC
UPDATE on Sherelle: July 6, 2008
I
just talked to her mom and sister, then briefly to Sherelle she is doing as
well as can be expected. Surgery is scheduled for Monday
morning. After the surgery everyone will have a better idea as to
the spinal damage.
Please
take a minute and send Sherelle a get-well card. I know she would
love to hear from WFMC members from around the world and other bikers
offering their support. Even if you have never met this young lady please
send a card from a Harley riding friend.
For
now you can mail her at:
San
Juan Regional Medical Center
801
West Maple
Farmington,
NM 87401
Attn:
Patient Sherelle Walker
She
can have very limited phone calls in the ICU at number 505-609-6202 room 11
San Juan
Regional Medical Center
http://www.sanjuanregional.com
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“Mary
Ellen Nighbert “
Mother
of WFMC member – Jeff “Oz-man” Nighbert
March 29, 2008
The world has lost an Icon. My Mother, Mary Ellen
Nighbert passed away last Saturday, March 29, 2008 @ 3:00 PM in
Victorville, CA. My mother
was very fortunate to have had great health up until she passed.
Our family was blessed to be with her up until the time God lifted
her from
her little body, held her hand and guided her to Heaven. I know
my Mother is in a much better place now, she is with God, my father
Pete
Nighbert, and all that were blessed to have known her.
My Mother would have been 90 years young on April 24th. She lived
a wonderful life and had the opportunity to travel the World.
Mom was a
Real Estate Broker for over 60 years and not only sold property
in the San Fernando Valley but in Mexico and several
other states.
Her service was held at the Desert View Funeral Home
in Victorville, CA @ 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Sincerely,
Jeff Nighbert, aka, Oz-Man
VP, Wind & Fire, Chapter #44
Fresno, CA
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“Denny
Hagen “
Brother
of WFMC member – Dwayne Hagen
March 26, 2008
“Accident”
Gary,
Thanks for getting the word out. Dwayne was hit
by a woman who pulled out in front of him. A Plano firefighter who works with
my other brother was two cars behind the woman and witnessed the whole thing
and provided on scene treatment. We nearly lost Dwayne the first
night but he is better now. He has 2 broken legs with multiple fractures, badly
broken arm, spleen removed and other injuries. Good news is he was
wearing my helmet that I never wore and has no head or spinal injuries.
Dwayne had his new harley for only 10
days. This happened in broad daylight with no alcohol involved, the woman
just didn't see Dwayne. He is at Parkland ICU now and has more
surgeries scheduled in the next few days. No visitors at this time but
thanks for everyones concern and prayers. I have never worn a helmet but
am seriously considering it now. Prognosis is fairly good at this time,
it will just be a long road........
Thanks again
Denny Hagan
----- Original
Message -----
26, 2008 10:50 AM
Subject: INJURY
Chapter 8
Denny Hagen's
brother, Dwayne, was injured in a motorcycle accident.
He is in ICU
Parkland. Early report is broken femur, received a lot of blood and stable now.
This all happened in the last twelve hours.
If anybody has
updated information...let us know..
GL..
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“Ray
Little “
Father
of WFMC member - Lynne Burgan
March 2008
I
got this today. Lynne is a long time member of WFMC she is member number
313. She is also a CDF fire captian. Lynne has worked in TCU and MMU
and MVU and maybe other places around California, she has been with CDF a long
time.
Her
dad, Ray was a retired division chief from Growlersberg Camp. A
great guy and outstanding wildland ff. The email below is from Lynne.
JR
=====================================================
There
will a celebration honoring the life of Ray LIttle on Saturday, March 15,
2:00pm at the Georgetown VFW Hall. Food will be pot luck, please bring a
dish to share. Cards can be sent to P.O.Box 52 Georgetown, Ca. 95634.
I can be contacted also by cell phone, 530-613-0058.
Thanks,
Lynne
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Mike
& Peggy Swanson
“Lauren”
November 10, 2007
Since
we moved to Weatherford we could no longer keep our old email address. Please
save our new one in your address book.
Also
for those who did not know, our daughter Lauren was in an accident on November
10Th. in Euless she was an unrestrained rear passenger, she
was ejected and pinned under the vehicle that she was in. She was flown to
John Peter Smith in Ft. Worth and suffered a crushed pelvis, which has
been repaired, no other major trauma was found. Lauren and our grandson are
staying with us until she is able to go to rehab in March to learn to walk
again. We are very blessed to have her today.
Thanks,
Mike
& Peggy Swanson
7501
E.Gumm Ct.
Weatherford,
Texas 76085
Mike
Cell 682 429-3333
Peggy
Cell 682 429-3378
Email:
lieutenant28@yahoo.com
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Larry
Kaitschuck #1397
Larry’s father passed away on
November 27th, 2007
To all chapter directors
Chapter
Secretary, Larry "KING" Kaitschuck's father passed away on Nov. 27th.
The services are out of state. More info to come as it's available.
Mike
Maver
Chapter
Director
Three
Rivers #74
You can email the chapter at mmaver@comcast.net or
snail mail cards to Larry Kaitschuck at 706 North Joliet
Street Wilmington, IL 60481-1120
JR-President
WFMC
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Betty Denning
Wife of John “JD” Denning
member #2
August 19,
2007
Betty has returned home after several weeks in the
hospital due to a heart attack. John
wants to thank those that took time to send him cards and letters. JD said that Betty enjoyed hearing from
members around the world that she had never met.
This is what our club is all about. Please keep Betty and JD in your thoughts
and prayers during Betty’s recover time.
Cards can be sent to:
Betty Denning at 967 S Ridge View Drive Santa Maria, CA 03455-6312
JR – President
W&FMC
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Hey folks please take a minute and think about JD and
Betty. Betty is in
the hospital following a small heart attack (if there is such a thing)
I talked to John tonight and he said Betty is resting much better tonight
and might be able to go home in a few days. (this
turned into weeks and a second and third heart attack)
You know how JD is, he has been spending many hours each day at the
hospital. Maybe even a cat-nap in his car.
You can send Betty get well cards at: Betty Denning 967 S. Ridge
View Dr
Santa Maria, CA 93455-6312
email is Editorwfmc@verizon.net
phone is 805-937-3041, you may have to
leave a message.
Keep Betty and John in your thoughts and prayers.
JR
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Bob
Wilson father of W&F member Ryan Wilson
Atwater, CA
“October 2007”
I am sad to bring bad news.
W&F and Central-Sierra Chapter
member Ryan Wilson's father died suddenly this week (week of October
4th). Bob Wilson died at the age of 48 at his Atwater California home.
Bob had ridden to Sturgis twice with
Carol, JW and myself and many times with Ryan. Bob had ridden with
JW, Carol and myself to the FF memorial in Orange County. Bob and
Ryan camped with us at the lake last year during our Chapter
campout. Bob was a very good supporter of W&FMC
Bob was very proud that Ryan was a
member of W&F and that Ryan had began his career as a firefighter.
You can send cards to Ryan Wilson,
his mom Kathy, and sister Shirley at 2401 Applegate Road Atwater,
CA 95301 At this time there are no plans for a funeral (this is the way
Bob would have wanted it)
John Robbins
Central-Sierra Chapter
Wind & Fire MC
May 5, 2006
“Derek
Lindsey”
Son
of WFMC member Mike & Diane Lindsey
This is to inform you of the accidental death of
Mike & Diana Lindsey's son, William "Derek" Lindsey on May 5,
2006. Funeral services are at the Forest Park Westheimer, 12800
Westheimer @ Dairyashford.
Viewing is Monday, May 8th, 6pm-8pm.
Funeral Services are Tuesday, May 9th at 11:30
am.
Mike has asked for all W&F members to ride
your bike and wear your "Colors"!
Our sincere condolences to the Lindsey family.
Sincerely,
Lloyd "Butch"
Stone
Director,
Wind & Fire MC-Houston...the largest w&fmc chapter in the world!
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October 23, 2004
Steven Bone
A veteran firefighter and paramedic died Friday morning while riding to
work on his motorcycle in Marietta, Ga.
Steven Bone, 35, worked at DeKalb County Fire Station 18 in Chamblee. He
had served seven years with the department.
"This news is terribly devastating and tragic, especially to his closest
friends and colleagues," said DeKalb Fire & Rescue Chief David Foster.
"Whenever we lose one our own it affects us all."
The Cobb County Police Department is investigating the accident. Early
reports indicated a truck turned in front of the motorcycle about 6:30
a.m. at Cheatham Hill and John Ward Roads. Charges against the driver of
the truck are pending.
June 13, 2004
One of our perspective members was in a serious motorcycle accident on Sunday, June 13, '04. The injured rider is Chief Bill Sharp of the Brookings Fire Dept. He is currently in the Rogue Valley Hospital in Medford, OR. If anyone is available to stop by and just say hi, I know he would feel much better. Bill was in the process of joining the W&F MC and the STATE of JEFFERSON chapter. My understanding is he is in stable condition with a shattered arm, broken ribs and a punctured spleen. I am leaving for the Fresno Burn Run tonight so I will not be able to visit him until my return.
John Jensen
Chapter Director
State of Jefferson Chapter #59
February 29, 2004
It is
with a heavy heart to say the Dragonslayers FF MC lost one of
their founding members in
the early morning hours of 2/29/04. Dragonslayer "Buck" from the
Corpus Christi chapter, was pronounced at the scene after loosing control of
his Heritage Softail.
The
Dragonslayers will lead the procession @ his funeral, date & time
still to be determined.
Buck retired last year from the Corpus Christi FD, & will truely be missed.
G-Man DSFFMC HC TX Prez.
January 13, 2004
George
Baker, a retired member of Long Beach Fire Department for 29 plus years. George
retired in August of 03. George was not a member of W&F, but he was
always was always ready to help W&F and its members. George was up at his
home in Sand Point Idaho, when he fell off his roof, sustaining
a bad head injury.
George
passed away two days later. George is survived by his wife and two daughters.
George rode to DC in 1999, but couldn't make it in 03 due to back problems. He
loved riding and we will miss his.
Thanks
for asking,
David Flores, Captain 17-B
David_Flores@longbeach.gov
July 30, 2003
Kenneth W. Killip kkillip@parkerfire.org
Fire Prevention Specialist (Parker FD)
(303) 805-0224
(303) 841-5961 FAX
I'm very sorry to let you all know that our friend and Poudre Valley
Firefighter Rick "Gonzo" Gonzales did not survive his recent accident.
We have lost a great friend and the world has lost a great human being.
Funeral services will be held this Thursday, July 31st, at St.Elizabeths @ 5450
S. Lamay in Fort Collins at 10:30 am. Gonzo will be in our hearts
forever. Please forward this message to anyone you think may want to
know.
July 27,2003
From: Killip, Ken kkillip@parkerfire.org
Subject: sad news...
I do not know who knows Rick so I am passing this on to everyone
Rick Gonzales aka "Gonzo" from Poudre Valley Fire Department was in a
freak accident Sunday night at Bandimere Speedway. Long story short, he
had a low speed accident falling off of a golf cart (he volunteered as a
firefighter during the races) and his head impacted the pavement. He is
currently in critical condition at St. Anthonys Central with brain swelling and
is currently on 100% life support until the swelling begins
to receed. The prognosis is poor (but from personal experience I've heard
that one before and they can be wrong), so I'm keeping a positive attitude that
Gonzo will pull out of this. Please keep him in your
thoughts and prayers.
Kenneth W. Killip
Fire Prevention Specialist
(303) 805-0224
(303) 841-5961 (Fax)
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|
|
Chapter Director David Follett sent in the follow
information
Riding
second in a line of six middle-aged Ohio motorcyclists cruising down the
Parks Highway near Trapper Creek on Wednesday morning, Halsey stared and his
eyes widened as the car coming toward him and his buddies at freeway speed
continued drifting over the center line. When it
shot by Dwayne Haavisto, first of the six bikers, the car still was largely
in its own lane. But now it was headed for Halsey. "At
the last second, I swerved to my right," Halsey recalled in an interview
Thursday. The third rider also got out of the way, with only inches to spare.
The three others did not. In their
mirrors, Haavisto and Halsey both caught the scene behind them. "I
saw the explosion," Haavisto said. "It was just an explosion of
dust, people, pieces of motorcycle." The car
smashed the other bikers, killing two of them and injuring the third. Tim Boyce
of Ashtabula died instantly, said Halsey, who is a paramedic back in Ohio and
who examined his friend at the scene. Greg Keyes of Mentor was taken to
Providence Alaska Medical Center and died there. Boyce
and Keyes were both 56 and retired firefighters. The
rider who survived the collision, Biagio "Ben" Tomaro, a
61-year-old retired heavy-equipment operator from Highland Heights, was
treated at Valley Hospital in Palmer and released. Tomaro suffered cuts and
road burns and walked with a limp Thursday but was well enough to talk about
the crash. The
occupants of the car, a rented Kia Optima, were driver Ben Shimbo, 73, and
passenger Etsu Shimbo, 64, of Kirkland, Wash. They were treated at Valley
Hospital for minor injuries and released, according to Alaska State Troopers.
The
Shimbos could not be reached. The
driver of a van following the motorcycles veered off the road to avoid the
crash but was not injured. Troopers
Sgt. Rodney Johnson said Thursday that a preliminary investigation indicates
that Ben Shimbo "may have fallen asleep at the wheel." The
surviving bikers, interviewed at a friend's house in Anchorage, agreed. "The
car didn't waver," Halsey said. "There was no change of direction
until the first impact of a motorcycle." The six
riders had left Ohio on June 25 and already had traveled 5,000 miles through
the Midwest, three Canadian provinces, into Alaska, up to the Arctic Circle
along the haul road, down to Fairbanks and Denali National Park. Their plan
called for them to be back home on July 25. Each
day, they rode about 13 hours, covering 500 to 600 miles, and camped at
night. They rode through seven days of rain after leaving Ohio. "The
hardest part of the trip was over," Haavisto said. "All that was
left was the city riding." Their
adventure was organized by Keyes, described by his friends as a man with a
penchant for excitement, discipline and safety. "He
wanted everyone to come home safely," said Halsey, who at 40 was the
youngest of the group. Keyes,
who had retired as a battalion chief and was an active part-time motorcycle
cop, already had biked in 48 states. Alaska was his 49th. Hawaii, on the
schedule for next year, was to be his 50th. "He
gave us the idea of going to the Arctic Circle," Halsey said. The
Alaska trip was two years in the planning. Of the six riders, only Haavisto
had previously visited the state. Boyce
was a member of the International Red Cross and participated in disaster
recovery work in other countries, his friends said. He too was an experienced
biker, Tomaro said. Haavisto,
49 and from Chardon, is a retired police detective who now works as an
investigator for a county prosecutor, he said. The
sixth member of the group, Tom Lucas, is a 51-year-old computer programmer
from Willoughby. As they
rode south from Denali on Wednesday morning, Haavisto was leading, followed
in order by Halsey, Lucas, Keyes, Boyce and Tomaro. They traveled about 50
feet apart. Troopers
said the bikers encountered the Kia about 11:20 a.m. at Mile 116.5 near the
middle of a long, easy curve in the two-lane road. Keyes
took the first impact. The northbound Kia had fully crossed into the
southbound lane when Keyes, like Haavisto and Lucas ahead of him, tried to
swerve right. But he
didn't get away. His left front and side crashed into the left front corner
of the Kia, Halsey said. The impact threw Keyes forward about 75 feet into
the brush alongside the road. Boyce
and Tomaro now faced the oncoming vehicle. The Kia and Boyce were headed
straight for each other, Tomaro said. The Kia's driver apparently tried to
avoid the imminent collision by swerving right. But Boyce swerved left, in
the same direction. "Tim
hit him center to center," Halsey said. The impact stove in the middle of
the Kia's front end, he said, and sent Boyce flying over the car and onto the
pavement. Boyce
effectively stopped the forward motion of the car, which lay across the
southbound lane. Tomaro
leaned back and to the side while braking, and his bike fell to the ground
and slid into the rear of the Kia. He never intended to put the bike down, he
said. There was no time to make a plan. Tomaro
was unconscious for a spell. When he awoke, he could not get up. The road was
crowded with people trying to put out the fire in the Kia and paramedics and
passers-by helping. "We
have to thank the people of Trapper Creek," Halsey said. And
Anchorage too, he added. Chaplains
and an honor guard from the Anchorage fire and police departments visited the
men Thursday evening. The bodies of Boyce and Keyes are expected to be flown
home early Saturday, and the honor guard as well as an escort from the fire
and police agencies will accompany them to the airport, Halsey said. For the
four riders, the road trip is finished. They too will fly home.
|
6/24/2003
The
following was sent in by member Terry Porter (Skipper)
|
Hank rode with us
in the Ride to Remember on F/F Special and with the Long Beach W&F
group. Skipper Subject: Hank Zavaleta Update To all
members (approved for distribution by Chief Harbour) |
5/20/2003
Motorcycle accident kills Rowan man By Scott Jenkins and Frank DeLoache, Salisbury Post
A Rowan County man who worked as a captain in the Kannapolis Fire Department died Sunday from injuries he received in an accident while returning from the annual Myrtle Beach, S.C., biker rally.
News of the death of Robert Lee "Robbie" James Jr. hit the local firefighter community hard.
James, 33, had previously worked for the Salisbury Fire Department and once served as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Bostian Heights Fire Department. He had also been a firefighter with the China Grove department.
China Grove Fire Chief Wayne Mishak said James had just rejoined his department as a volunteer about a month ago.
Mishak said he expected firefighters would provide an escort for James' body when it returned to the county today.
Kannapolis Fire Chief Larry Phillips said James is survived by his wife, Teresa, and a stepdaughter.
James, of 245 Kay St., off N.C. 152 west of China Grove, was riding a 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle north on U.S. 501 at midday Sunday. He was scheduled to report for his shift in Kannapolis at 8 p.m. Sunday.
S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper 1st Class Ashley Mew said a 15-year-old girl trying to turn south onto 501 in Gallivants Ferry pulled her 1996 Ford Explorer into the path of James' motorcycle at 12:40 p.m.
James was driving about 55 mph and struck the left side of the Explorer. He suffered head injuries and was taken to Marion Hospital, where he died.
James was not wearing a helmet, which is not required of riders 21 and older in South Carolina.
The teen-age driver and a 14-year-old female passenger suffered minor injuries, Mew said. Charges are pending further investigation, the trooper said.
Firefighters in both counties were saddened by the loss of their friend, Phillips and Salisbury Assistant Chief Rick Fesperman said this morning.
Phillips said news of James' death came as a "kick in the gut" to the Kannapolis department."
"Robbie was one of the most likeable, easy going young men," Phillips said. "Everybody liked him. He was the type of guy you liked to be around.
"He loved his job. He loved what he was doing. ... He's going to be very sorely missed."
James also loved riding his motorcycle.
James rode a red, limited edition motorcycle that Harley Davidson made just for firefighters. The company introduced the bike last year and required buyers to show certification that they worked for a fire department.
Salisbury Fire Capt. James Farley said James rode to the Myrtle Beach rally Friday morning by himself. Farley, also a Harley owner, spent most of the weekend with James and other area Harley riders, though he did not ride back with him.
Farley said James had ridden his bike to Daytona Beach, Fla., and Spartanburg, S.C., in recent weeks.
Fesperman said he and Chief Sam Brady hired James at the Salisbury department in May 1995.
"Robbie did well with Salisbury, and we really hated to lose him," Fesperman said. James had worked some at all three Salisbury stations, and a majority of the department's firefighters knew him.
Fesperman said James grew up in the south Rowan area and graduated from South Rowan High School.
He had volunteered with the Bostian Heights department before getting his job with Salisbury. James took an engineer's position, "a step up," in the Kannapolis department in December 1997, Fesperman said. Kannapolis Chief Phillips said James was one of the first paid drivers in the department. He was promoted to captain in December.
Phillips said he was returning from Atlanta Sunday when he heard about the accident. Assistant Kannapolis Fire Chief Danny Scott and several other firefighters immediately headed to South Carolina, but they learned shortly before they arrived at the hospital that their friend and co-worker had died.
Firefighters and their relatives congregated at Kannapolis Station 1 until nearly 2 a.m. this morning to comfort each other, Phillips said. "I didn't consider him just a co-worker," Phillips said. "I considered him a good friend, as did all the folks who worked with him and for him."
Authorities told the Associated Press that rainy weather, increasing attendance and bikers not wearing helmets may have led to the eight deaths during the 10-day event. It was one of the deadliest rallies in the history of the Myrtle Beach gathering and double the number of deaths last year. One reason, authorities said, was the rally's continued growth. Estimates put attendance at about 250,000. Authorities think if the victims had been wearing helmets, at least a few of them would have survived. "Many of these were due to head injuries," Trooper Mew told the Associated_Press. "It's speculation, but helmets could have saved these people." Said Fesperman, the assistant Salisbury fire chief: "We'll be thinking about his family, and we'll do anything we can to help them."
Contact Frank DeLoache at 704-797-4245 or fdeloache@salisburypost.com. Contact Scott Jenkins at 704-797-4248 or sjenkins@salisburypost.com.
