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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

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

-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.

Just rolled in. I have time for some lunch and get cleaned up.

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.

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.

I am lucky to have had such a good friend, that I cried over them at their funeral. Not everyone is that lucky.

Visitation and funeral photos...

Flowers






Remembrance Tables








Closeup photos -young love












1911


Classic Car


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.











Tough.

I just don’t understand.

Thank you, Mark.

raYzerman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:44 pm Thank you, Mark.

+1 you folks were on my mind all day.

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

Perhaps we all should look through an honest prism of life and see if?

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.

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.

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.

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. ---

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.

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!"

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


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.

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.



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


JWilly is also there.


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