Just found out yesterday a good friend of mine was killed in a motorcycle crash

[211Chuck]

I have no idea to why I'm even posting this other then to point out we all need to
enjoy our friends as much as we can while we are alive,because (no one promises
us the next minute,next hour,next day,next week,next year or even the next second
in life)

I'll start by giving some back round with our great (lady) friend. Her,her husband &
another couple hung out with us for many,many years at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle
Camp Ground as well as many other places in the Smokey Mountains. We did not
ride directly together when on the road as our riding styles were completely different,
but we always planed our days riding so we good meet to eat and camp together at
the end of a days ride. Even though we all rode nothing alike or enjoyed the same
things during a ride we all enjoyed each others company.

The most fun I/we have ever spent in a camp ground has been with these people.

When we left on our 23 month long ride which ended up with us living in AZ we
knew Jan's husband Tommy had heart problems for years. They were married over
50 years and had met as kids playing together. I have never seen two people more in
love with each other in my life. They rode their own bikes but always together, they
did everything together. These to people were just plain magic to be around.

Well long story short Tommy's heart gave out one day while we were out on the
road a little over a year and a half ago. Jan was totally devastated as she had never
been with out Tommy her whole life. From that time on when we talked to Jan she
sounded totally lost and pretty darn sad. All our friends told us she had her good
days and bad days. They told us none of her kids,grand kids,great grand kids or
friends seemed to be able to really get her to enjoy her life any more no matter how
hard everyone tried.

She did how ever continue to ride up to the mountains from her home in Greenville
SC. on weekends to camp and hang out with friends. Well last week riding back home
from the mountains she ran into the back of an SUV stopped at a red light and died
instantly according to the Highway Patrol. They said witnesses said she never even
slowed down and they found no skid marks at all on the road. Friends Marcia and I
have talked with said they were worried this might happen because when they rode
with her alot of the time she seemed not to be all there on the ride with them. They
think she had a hard time focusing with out Tommy with her. Marcia & I tend to
agree with our friends. Jan probably drove into the back of the SUV due to her badly
broken heart and she just never saw anything on that ride home.

Marcia & I spent alot of yesterday afternoon & evening crying and hugging as well as
talking to friends on the phone. Tommy & Jan were the greatest people as a couple
you could ever want to meet, but we always knew if one died the other was just not
going to make it on their own. Marcia & I are praying Tommy & Jan are once again
together riding,smiling,laughing and loving the same as always.

I started to end this with one of our funny stories from camping with Tommy & Jan
but there's just to many great ones to tell. So I'll just save them as some great
memories of two of my many great friends I/we have made riding motorcycles.

You all please love and value all your friends as you just never know when they won't
be around any more...

[LuciferMutt]

I'm sorry. You're right -- cherish every moment you get with the people you love.

Also a sad reminder that you should never ride if your head is not in gear.

My condolences to you and the family.

[duck]

Very sad.

[nwdub]

sounds like she was ready to go.

I see it as a beautiful thing as she wasn't in any pain and she'll finally get the peace she yearned for.

I'm sorry it's so sad for all of you, but look at it in a positive light.

[zippy]

losing a loved one is always hard. Sorry for your loss.

But Jan and Tommy are riding together again for eternity . Take some solace in that.

[Capt Crash]

Originally Posted by zippy

losing a loved one is always hard. Sorry for your loss.

But Jan and Tommy are riding together again for eternity . Take some solace in that.

Amen.

[Ginger Beard]

Originally Posted by zippy

losing a loved one is always hard. Sorry for your loss.

But Jan and Tommy are riding together again for eternity . Take some solace in that.

This.

Very sorry for your loss man.

[Road Hound]

Chuck, thanks for posting this. I really hate to hear this about Jan, she was always a real pleasure to be around. Jan and Tommy always seemed to be one of the few truly happy couples.

[Ceri JC]

Sorry to hear this, it's always terrible to lose someone close to you.

It's understandable when someone you love dies in a bike accident [but equally true rock climbing, sky diving, etc.] I always try and reflect that going out in a bike accident is better than a long and painful passing from some stupid disease later in life.

[mrbreeze]

very sorry to hear it.

50 years and still in love - wow! that's awesome! what a blessing!