Wizard Memories......

[Strider]

I was PM'ing with Early Bird last week and he let me know that Wizard was back in the hospital but I did not realize how bad it was.  I started checking out the VRCC so I could keep up with his progress.....when with a heavy, heavy heart I read the news about his being with hospice and then the passing of my brother.

I am in the ebola land of Africa right now so I will not be able to attend his memorial service but wanted to say a few words about a unique, brother of the wind....Wizard.

I first spoke to Wizard on December 25th, 2006 and met him face to face for the first time on April 11, 2007.  How could I know these dates?  Well, the first time I spoke to him on the phone was after some emails between two VRCC riders.  He was in contact with Bird/Moonshine and myself and during one of the emails, he seemed to be at the edge of the abyss with just losing his job in Michigan, some personal things and the usual Christmas holiday blues.  Both Moonshine and I called him Christmas morning to wish him a merry Christmas and this was start of a friendship.

Then the following April, Bird/Moonshine and I were taking a round about way up to the Cheaha Mountain.  We rode the Trace up to Tupelo, Mississippi the first night and met up with our friend who had riden through an ice storm with a snowmobile helmet on from Michigan down to Tupelo.  Later that night we were joined by Lyn Del who was on one of her many cross country epic journeys  and saw the post that we were all meeting in Tupelo.  The next day we rode over to Cullman, Alabama and met up with Winghot, Highbinder and Lady Draco and then rode up to Cheaha with the group the next day led by Winghot.  I remember that Wayne said at a stop sign that everyone needed to ride his own ride because he was about to put the pedal to the metal going up the backside of Cheaha and to pass it on......ride your own ride.  I passed it to Wizard not knowing his riding style and when Winghot shot off, Wizard's 6 into 6's blasted forth and off he shot - chasing the twisty boys up the hill.  That was when I knew that Wizard LOVED the wind and was not afraid to wrap the throttle down!

Like Smokin'Joe said, at Taladega, he was doing over 120 mph and looked up the track and there was Wizard flying down the track, passing everyone and waving!  Wizard usually only knew one speed on a Valk - FAST!

Bird/Moonshine, Brother Magoo and I went over and met Wizard when he was passing through New Orleans and the next time I saw Wizard was at the Dragons over the Smokies.  He came up to me and gave me a beautiful knife that I still cherish and said that the motorcycle world that he came from, the ultimate of love and respect was to give a brother a weapon and trust him with it when you turned your back - and that he trusted me.....that meant a lot to me.

Wizard had reached a pivot point in his life right at that time.  He had put what he could carry on his bike, left Michigan and went in search of some peace and happiness.  There is one thing that I MUST say.  I seriously think that my brother found peace and happiness with a group he met over in Texas!  He met two true soul mates there and I saw in his face, happiness.  Lyn-Del and Early Bird, my heart goes out to you during this time of loss.....

Then, the next thing I knew, Wizard was off on a cross country trip and he would send me links to his pictures where he would have a HUGE grin on his face and his beard blowing back in the wind.  Like I said, he seemed to be able to let the wind wash over his soul and find happiness.

Throughout the years, I kept meeting up with my friend - at a BBQ in Texas, leading a ride at Hotglues, up at the top of a mountain in Alabama, meeting me at the border of Louisiana and Texas when I was passing through, at Inzanes, at a motel in the middle of New Mexico or eating some exotic meat at a mid winter gathering in Austin.  He was always the same.  Greeting with hugs and always honest and real.  What you saw with Wizard is what you got.  He was "real people".

An example of what Wizard was like was when we met in Tucemcari one year.  SOmething told Lyn Del and he to bring her Trike over and something told her to bring her helmet (why?  who knows) but when they all got there -- they were able to get Sunshine (Jill - my sister) into the wind for the first time since she broke her neck in a motorcycle accident.  Yes, tears flowed freely - but that was what Wizard was.........and Lyn Del.............REAL, HONEST PEOPLE!



OR at Cheaha - all I did was mention some electrical problem I was having in a conversation and the next thing I know, he has grabbed my keys and grabbed a tool kit from his saddlebag and starts tearing into my boike until it was PERFECT to ride home.  That was what Wizard was like.....what did it cost me?  A bear hug.  I have so many pictures of Wizard that I would love to share, but cant becase I am in Africa and they are on my hard drive at home.

Well, we were able to stay in touch and he was able to share pictures with me from time to time.  Alas, with taking care of my wife for the last year, I was not able t link up with my friend like I had before, but alwasy thought there would be time later - that is the mistake in life.  Live it for today because there may not be time later..............So, it was with a heavy heart that I read of his passing.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Duane was one of a kind.  He was real - no pretensions, no lies, no act......I am proud to have known him and to have been able to call him "friend".  Again, my heart goes out to his friends and family - of whom he had many........we are more enriched by having known him.....The pain is over - Rest in PEACE my brother.

(from the last album he shared with me in April)



Rest in Peace...........

[Valkorado]

 
Great memories of a cool guy.  Thanks for introducing your friend to us!

[Jess Tolbirt]

excellent write up Strider,, glad to see you are still around,,we will miss him for sure..

[Daniel Meyer]

 

[RainMaker]

The best memorial that could have been written.  Well done, Mr. Strider.

[T-Bird]

Thanks for a good story on a good brother

[Bandit]

 

[Six Guns]

Strider, thanks for sharing some of your memories of Wizard with us. Take care of yourself over in Africa. Hope to ride with you again some time in the near future. It's been way too long.     

[flamingobabe #44]

thanks...I'm going to steal this post and have someone read it at the Memorial....Strider...thanks....you need not be absent from your friends...I know Bonnie needs you...but next time you are home....maybe we can sit and have a coffee...love you man

[Des]

thank you for sharing these memories --- we originally met Wizard in Tucumcari.

We certainly feel a hole in the VRCC Force --- he will be missed 

[LL]

After reading that Strider, all I can say is......WOW


LL

[Jack]

 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Very cool Warren  

[Kendall]

Awesome post Brother!!  You nailed it quite well, Duane was a Awesome Friend and Brother. Gonna miss him a lot!!!!  I met him first at Tucumcari NM. We would sit outside into the night just talking about everything and nothing. LOL we continued to do that everytime we met thru many states.

[Goo-Goo Magoo]

great read

[Oss]

Strider,

That was a beautiful tribute to Duane and it was spoken right from the heart

Miss ya my cajun brother

Come home safe to us when its time

Hope to see you in South Dakota

Oss

[..]

 

[jimmytee]

 

[Ghost]

It's been a long time since we have talked Warren, met you a few times through the years and have always love to read anything you wrote. Your Friend will always be with you, ride safe. 

[3fan4life]

What a wonderful tribute to the life and impact of a true friend.

[Crazyhorse]

Duane was a great guy and thanks for the post.

[The emperor has no clothes]

What a wonderful tribute to the life and impact of a true friend.

I agree 

[LadyDraco]

Very nice Warren....

Hey remember  this day 

[Thunderbolt]

Strider great to read such an eloquent outpouring about Wizard.  Just a great tribute to the man he was.  Safe travels to you.