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Memorial for a friend

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jackq

jackq

Jedi Knight
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Tomorrow will be one of the hardest days of my life. 10 days ago I lost a very close friend to cancer...he was just 36 years old. Was misdiagnosed ..was told it was a hernia. Has an older brother and sister that don't live locally but will be here for the service. Minister, gospel music..and have asked me to speak. Told them I'd be honored but also told them I'd fall apart. They have also asked me to take some of his ashes and spread them in one of Lonnie's special places. Again..honored and will take them to the Caprock north of here where he liked to hike and camp. One of his final requests was for the organization I belong to...Bugs4Christ..accept the donation of his 72 VW Bus , restore it and donate it to a needy family on the Pintado Pueblo here in northern New Mexico. I've contacted the Pueblo and they are saddened by Lonnie's passing and have assured my that when the time comes to receive the Bus they will be honored and that it will go to a good home. Volunteers have stepped forward to help and we're planning on a fundraiser to help offset some of the expenses for parts and paint. My son and I are going to do the paint and bodywork..my pal Cliff is donating a 2.0 Bus engine and will help with that. My pal Pete(Army ret. Ltc. Airborne) is going to do the seat. Has new tires but going to go through the brakes, replace all rubber and seals, carpet etc. If you have the time, please Goggle Bugs4Christ and view the mission to the Pueblo. We're also going to do a Baja Bug for a girl there and build a tire shop for the Pueblo. Already have all the tire equipment donated and working on funds for the metal building and concrete. Have a small army of voluteers ready and willing to travel. Sorry for such a long post...but thought you folks would enjoy it. It has changed my life..which isn't a bad thing. Thx.
 

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Info like this really bum my load.
So sorry for your friends passing.
 
After..some of the dedicated crew with the new owner. I'm the geezer second from left. The guy on far left is a young man from Maryland who on Sunday morning played Amazing Grace at sunrise on his bagpipes. Not your normal young man...
 

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What a great organization! My friend, you just helped me decide what I needed to do with mom's bug in case (when) something happens to me. I've been in a quandry about what to do with the car. I don't think I'll ever restore it, and I don't want it to go to some smuck. It has to go to a good home. It's the car I grew up in, was mom's first and only brand new car and is the last VW in a big VW family. Thanks dude, now I know what to do with it!!!


Sorry for your loss. Everyone has an appointed time, some just sooner than we expected. It doesn't make it suck any less, but I always have found some comfort in that. You'll do fine tommorrow, don't sweat it.
 
since word of this org has gotten around, due in large part to KLOVE Christian Radio, people are calling and donating vehicles. They can be anything..one is a 240Z..another a big school bus?? The main guy are in Gray Ga and I'm here. We are willing to travel to pick vehicles up..they can be mega ugly and not running...we'll take care of that. So if anyone has an extra vehicle, and a place in their heart..give us a shout. Thx.
 
How 'bout a front wheel drive dirt track car for a Mad Max missionary? I don't know what to do with that either. PM me if you can come up with a good use for it and I might just let y'all have it. I hate to let it go, but it's just sitting here. I don't have anywhere to run it anymore and I no longer race. Lemme know if you think y'all can use it and for what.

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I hope a few of you have had the time to visit the Bugs4Christ site...because after the memorial sat. I was approached by a few folks asking if we took donations of "other than Bugs"...I said sure, and it looks like I need to make room at the shop for some vehicles. Plus yesterday I went to a local parts store and got talking to two young GIs from the base. Before I left they took our info and looks like they're on board. Both work at the base motor pool...how great is that? Anyhow, we all said goodbye to our friend Lonnie at the memorial. Laughed, cried, sang and tried to come to grips with the fact he wasn't going to walk up and start telling jokes. Over 200 people came to honor this great young man. We talked of his giving his VW bus to us to improve the lives of a family at Pintado Pueblo.The work has begun on it already..I went to the shop yesterday for a while and sat in it..and tried to visualize the final product. My retired Airborne geezer is excited on doing the interior, and my Son has some ideas for a custom paint job. We're going to do pics as we progress...we'll keep you updated. Thx.
 
Today an article about what we're doing was in our local paper(Clovis News Journal) Please pull it up on CNJ Online if you have a minute. Tells the story of the journey we're on and about the great guy that before he passed gave us this VW bus. Even if you don't believe in the same things other people do...you have to admit that this is a great thing. I've decided as long as I'm able..I will continue with this. I'm no fanatic or do-gooder...I just feel that whatever small part I can play and donate my limited abilities and resources..I will. When you go to this special place like we did, and look at and talk to these young people, you realize how blessed we've all been in one way or another. Its time to pass it on.
 
thanks for your testimony too Jack - that makes it real!
 
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