RIP - my buddy 1911/Duane Wellington just passed away

[ZOOOMM]

Truly a good man now gone.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Marilee and family.

[raYzerman]

Unbelievable!! I met Duane a coupla times, and he was everything everyone is saying. Great person. Dammitoltohell, far too young. All the best to Marilee and family. My thoughts are also with you Wheatie, I get it. Big loss.

[BikerGeek]

Just ... shit.

[natehawk750]

Like everyone else here... this really sucks to hear. The few moments I was blessed with spending with Duane and his wife I could sense what beautiful people the are.

I'll miss seeing him at events... what ever we decide to do collectively as a group I'm in.

[spklbuk]

Thoughts and prayers.

[bill lumberg]

Duane, as far as I know, didn’t smoke, but to me, he was kind of the Marlboro man. At least that’s how I thought of him. I’ll tell you something funny- or at least as funny as it can be in the midst of such a loss:

A while back, Duane hand dug a long, deep trench for a water line, to save the girls trouble when watering the horses. He opened with something like “I used my PhD today.” I had yet to read the explanation.

Based solely on the individual I had met and ridden with a few times, and spoken with sparingly, I 100% believed that he was referring to his PhD. He seemed like a doctorate sort of person, and clearly had that intellect and gravitas, though he was probably totally unaware of it.

I’m a fairly good reader of people, and I felt kind of stupid when I figured out that he was obviously using the old time honored humorous reference to post hole diggers.

My thoughts are with his family, and with Mark. I don’t wish to offend anyone, but sometimes I think the guy upstairs could use a good punch in the throat.

[wheatonFJR]

Duane and I did this dayride this past summer on a whim. It is hard getting schedules to line up sometimes, but it is SO important. I NEVER had anything but a stellar ride with Duane. He didn't care, rain, cold, whatever...he was up for it.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... 84043&z=17

I likely would have quit riding in 2020, except this guy took me riding in Virginia to Paint Bank. He didn't talk much, but he definitely loved Virginia. He thought of retiring to a place in SW VA, so he said.

A beautiful day with goodness. Probably wrote a RR on it. I later did it solo, because I needed to do it.

PS- I will order the sweet tea and BLT for breakfast at STAX pancake house one of these mornings in Duane's honor...as that was a common order of his...and a common meetup place before a ride.

[wheatonFJR]

Duane was a music officianado sp? He loved the Blues, as well as all other types of music. He was damn smart, smarter than most...but was extremely humble. During a Maggie Valley EOM after my accident, he was patient and rode with me. But of course he combined a ride with music.

Farewell Duane.

https://vimeo.com/364465320

[gixxerjasen]

Well shit, this sucks. I don't think we ever met in person but I certainly knew him from here and his most excellent RR's. Will be missed.

[bill lumberg]

Let me know when.

PS- I will order the sweet tea and not for breakfast at STAX pancake house one of these mornings in Duane's honor...as that was a common order of his...and A common meeting place before covid.

[Bugnatr]

I have met them several times. At a Ruben run and YFO but the most recent and best time to really get to know Duane and Marilee was at a get together hosted by Wheatie and his better half at their home in 2019 when my wife and I were in their hood on a cage trip. Good people for sure. Our sincere condolences to Marilee and all his loved ones.
Agree with Wayne we're all here for you Mark, only a phone call away if you need to talk buddy.

[Festus]

Duane and Mark where the first 2 people on FJR's that Viper Dad and I ever rode with. To say that it was an EPIC day for us would be an understatement. I could never put into words how excited I was to ride with those guys and it turned out to exceed every expectation I had for doing it. Loved the fact that Duane was at home eating Hardee's for lunch. Really enjoyed the conversation over lunch with both guys.

The funniest moment of the whole ride was at the end of the ride, we were saying our goodbyes and he made a comment like "That didn't suck as much as I thought it would" or something like that. Wheaton, Viper Dad, and myself all busted up laughing out loud. It was then that he realized how that came across and he clarified it was a weather related comment, due to the morning starting off raining.

It was a great moment to see him laugh and us to be able to rib him a little bit. One of those little moments I'll treasure until it's my time to ride with him again.

Rest In Peace, my friend. What a great human being.

[festar]

It does suck.
Sorry for your loss loss mate. Losing a long time friend is like losing family.
Feel for ya

[wheatonFJR]

Let me know when.

PS- I will order the sweet tea and BLT for breakfast at STAX pancake house one of these mornings in Duane's honor...as that was a common order of his...and A common meeting place before covid.

Will do. Sometime after my valve check is completed. We will do STAX.

[Hppants]

Well indeed, this sucks. It's just not fair. That lady and her family do not deserve this.

He lived a full life with passion, conviction, and love. As Lee describes, Duane was a man of few words, but when he said something, it was meaningful. He was comfortable in his silence, something I admire immensely. He prioritized time with his wife, perhaps a poster child for all of us. He helped people and he loved his family. Being 750 miles away, that's about all I know.

But it's more than enough to call him "friend". Comrade. Brother.

We only get one, my friends. And when that one is gone, that's it.

Stated only for the record - you are among my closest friends. When you hurt, I hurt. If you need, you need only ask and I am at your service.

[Intech]

Definitely not what I want to see when I check in here.

I have many memories with Duane and Marilee. We hooked up on the way to my first SFO. We followed Duane and Marilee to Senoia, GA because she was a big Walking Dead Fan. My best ride with Duane was meeting in Maggie Valley at Wheels Through Time and then proceeding to rip through NC, TN, and GA for the day. I was scheduled for a surgical procedure to remove a kidney stone after that trip. Turns out our antics must have dislodged the stone as I was clear. What an awesome day that was.

I loved his quiet, confident demeanor. He wouldn't talk your ear off, but conversation with Duane was always meaningful.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Marilee and family.

As others have said, whatever we decide to do here, I am in. Raising a glass to Duane tonight. God Speed my friend.

[Panman]

Sorry to hear, didn't know him well but we talked briefly about both of us having 07 FJR's with Bushtec trailers at the Rueben Run and Mariposa. He did some good ride reports.
RIP Duane

[FJRPittsburgh]

I'm so sorry to hear the news of Duane's passing. To Duane's family, Wheatie, bill lumberg, and all the other locals who rode with Duane often, my deepest sympathies. He was a great guy so I've heard from so many of you. Terribly young to have something like this happen to him.

[YummYam]

This is such sad news about a guy in the prime of life. Duane reached out to me here when I asked about meeting other members after relocating to Tennessee. We never did get to hook up but I sure appreciated him contacting me.

Sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends. RIP Duane.

[Powerman]

Wow, not the news I need to hear. I'll have a Scotch and listen to some blues for Duane. RIP