RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

This subforum will contain memorial posts and memories of those members who have departed but live on in the stories shared here.
Forum rules
This subforum is listed in the public area - no log in is required to view; please keep that in mind when posting here.
Post Reply
User avatar
BikerGeek
Veteran
Posts: 2287
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:21 pm
FJRModel: 2004
Location: Marysville, OH
x 4930
x 4493

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by BikerGeek »

Someone posted this as a memory on Duane's obituary page. I feel like this should be quoted here:

"Chuck Norris had a Duane Wellington poster in his bedroom as motivation"

JSNS
Niehart, Viper_Dad, CraigRegs and 12 others loved this
"Having THIS bunch of guys paying attention to you is like being the world's tallest midget."
- 0face
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

BikerGeek wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:03 pm Someone posted this as a memory on Duane's obituary page. I feel like this should be quoted here:

"Chuck Norris had a Duane Wellington poster in his bedroom as motivation"

JSNS
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

-edit: That was Kyle Bridges, the youngster that Duane befriended and taught to ride a dirt bike. Kyle was one of Duane's pallbearers. Duane and I rode with Kyle. Kyle and I want to ride together again sometime.
Last edited by wheatonFJR on Thu Mar 23, 2023 12:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
boatanchor, 3rd class.
User avatar
bungie4
I post more than I ride
Posts: 6952
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:43 pm
FJRModel: 2013 FJR 1300
x 3741
x 6339

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by bungie4 »

Just rolled in. I have time for some lunch and get cleaned up.
bill lumberg, BikerGeek, and wheatonFJR loved this
WWPD.
#SnowMexican
Choo choo mf'r.
D.F.I.U.N.
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

bungie4 wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:28 pm Just rolled in. I have time for some lunch and get cleaned up.
I will look for you. I'll be the sad guy.
Sooze loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

By the way, yesterday, Marilee told me how they met. I saw a photo of a juvenile 1911 playing the trumpet and said, " I didn't know he played the trumpet!". She said, well yeah they were both in band together. Marilee played the trumpet as well. They were fellow band geeks in highschool.

I can say that, the only thing geekier than a band geek is an orchestra geek. When yer playing a violin in front of your junior high peers, they don't look kindly on that. Bullying results.

But I digress. Evidently, the arranged marriage happened shortly thereafter. True love I say.
BkerChuck, Niehart, bigjohnsd and 5 others loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

I am lucky to have had such a good friend, that I cried over them at their funeral. Not everyone is that lucky.
bungie4, Powerman, CraigRegs and 6 others loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

Visitation and funeral photos...

Flowers
Image

Image

Image

Remembrance Tables
Image

Image

Image

Image

Closeup photos -young love
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

1911
Image

Classic Car
Image

Stuff that makes you cry

Boots, helmet, and gloves were used on our ride, Saturday after Thanksgiving. From what son in law said, there was a Father/Son in law ride planned for this sunny Monday in January. Killer. :(

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Tough.
Auburn, Viper_Dad, Cav47 and 17 others loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
User avatar
Festus
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 4833
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:40 pm
FJRModel: 2013 FJR, 2023 KTM 390 Adventure
x 4035
x 10851

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by Festus »

I just don’t understand.
Cav47, Redfish, and wheatonFJR loved this
"That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be" - 1911

"Stay thirsty, my friends"....... Wouldn't that mean I'm dehydrated all the time?
User avatar
raYzerman
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 9621
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:49 am
FJRModel: 2010 Honda CBF1000FA
Location: Millgrove, Ontario, CA
x 3108
x 11476

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by raYzerman »

Thank you, Mark.
Cav47 and wheatonFJR loved this
Keep yer stick on the ice........... (Red Green)
Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can sure muffle the sound.
Bugnatr
Veteran
Posts: 3048
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 1:16 am
FJRModel: 2014 SuperTanker1200. 2018 DCT Hippo,
2007 KLR650... the Goldwing of thumpers
Location: Northwest Peardale, Ca
x 6089
x 5958

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by Bugnatr »

raYzerman wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:44 pm Thank you, Mark.
+1 you folks were on my mind all day.
Cav47 and wheatonFJR loved this
It's too deep, this is a bike not a canoe.
dcarver
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 1022
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:18 am
FJRModel: Gen2, Superior 2006, Gen 3 2013 twice as good!
x 120
x 1553

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by dcarver »

So sad. Thanks for posting. It's never easy Mark.

Perhaps we all should look through an honest prism of life and see if?
Auburn, Cav47, Hppants and 1 others loved this
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

Image

Image

Image

Image
Niehart, Cav47, CollingsBob and 5 others loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
User avatar
BikerGeek
Veteran
Posts: 2287
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:21 pm
FJRModel: 2004
Location: Marysville, OH
x 4930
x 4493

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by BikerGeek »

Bugnatr wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 11:24 pm
raYzerman wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:44 pm Thank you, Mark.
+1 you folks were on my mind all day.
Yeah. This.
Powerman and wheatonFJR loved this
"Having THIS bunch of guys paying attention to you is like being the world's tallest midget."
- 0face
User avatar
CraigRegs
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 918
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:19 pm
FJRModel: 15ES
x 3567
x 2418

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by CraigRegs »

Mark, thank you so much for bringing Duane's service to those of us who could not attend. Tears were shed here seeing the portions of his life we casual acquaintances would never have known. Seeing the fuller picture of a man's life makes the loss even sadder. I send my sympathies to you and all of Duane's friends and family.
bungie4, Tyler, Viper_Dad and 7 others loved this
Craig
----------------
...the Pursuit of Happiness
User avatar
Cav47
Veteran
Posts: 4067
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:42 pm
FJRModel: 2015 ES well appointed FJR
2012 KLX 250S
2022 Honda CRF450RL
Location: Central Illinois.
x 11318
x 8159

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by Cav47 »

CraigRegs wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 11:17 am Mark, thank you so much for bringing Duane's service to those of us who could not attend. Tears were shed here seeing the portions of his life we casual acquaintances would never have known. Seeing the fuller picture of a man's life makes the loss even sadder. I send my sympathies to you and all of Duane's friends and family.
Exactly.

I have a former player that I am still good friends with that lives in Simpsonville. I have no doubt I will be making a trip very soon to pay my respects.
Bugnatr and wheatonFJR loved this
I often have found myself when I was not looking, nor did that discovery take place where I thought it would!

Image
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

Cav47 wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 3:02 pm
CraigRegs wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 11:17 am Mark, thank you so much for bringing Duane's service to those of us who could not attend. Tears were shed here seeing the portions of his life we casual acquaintances would never have known. Seeing the fuller picture of a man's life makes the loss even sadder. I send my sympathies to you and all of Duane's friends and family.
Exactly.

I have a former player that I am still good friends with that lives in Simpsonville. I have no doubt I will be making a trip very soon to pay my respects.
Just tell me when...give me a heads up. ---
Last edited by wheatonFJR on Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
bungie4, Cav47, and CollingsBob loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
User avatar
bungie4
I post more than I ride
Posts: 6952
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:43 pm
FJRModel: 2013 FJR 1300
x 3741
x 6339

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by bungie4 »

To be brief, i was fortunate to have Mark introduce me to Marilee and, after explaining the circumstances which found me at Duanes funeral, asked her permission for me to attend. Thankfully she almost insisted, as she knows how important it was for us, and Duane, to pay there respects. The takeaway for me was that we were just a important to Duane as he was to us.

Rest in peace my friend.
Niehart, BikerGeek, Bugnatr and 6 others loved this
WWPD.
#SnowMexican
Choo choo mf'r.
D.F.I.U.N.
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

Something that came to mind during the last couple of days. As Duane and I rode more and more, our comfort level and trust with each other increased to a point that we would trust each other with anything on the road...as we knew that we could trust that other person with anything in life if we asked.

During my last ride with Duane and Lumberg at the end of November, we came upon a perfect set of curves, and occasionally there would be a slow car not appreciating the road as much as we were. As I charged forward, I would let them know in the comms that I could see what they couldn't see...that their way forward was clear, they were good to go. After double checking the comms, we would move forward together on this perfect road.

I hope when my time comes, Duane can tell me on the comms, "I can see what you can't see, your way forward is clear, you're good!"
Niehart, CraigRegs, Tyler and 9 others loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20387
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 43541
x 18904

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by wheatonFJR »

As an aside, this is my first photo of Duane...at a camping meet at BRMC in May of 2010.
Image

I didn't know much about Duane at that point, probably didn't even know his name...just his moniker.

Met a lot of future good friends at that meet. Took a few rides together with these folks before I realized what a bunch kind of scoundrels I had landed in.
Last edited by wheatonFJR on Wed Jan 25, 2023 4:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Niehart loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
User avatar
Cav47
Veteran
Posts: 4067
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:42 pm
FJRModel: 2015 ES well appointed FJR
2012 KLX 250S
2022 Honda CRF450RL
Location: Central Illinois.
x 11318
x 8159

Re: RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

Post by Cav47 »

On this snow day (E-learning now) I got to thinking about Duane and went searching for my photos of him to support my memory.

Image

He had that “arms crossed, just listening” pose in my mind and the proof is here as well


JWilly is also there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Prestone, Intech, Niehart and 4 others loved this
I often have found myself when I was not looking, nor did that discovery take place where I thought it would!

Image
Post Reply