ROGUE VALLEY WINGS

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Last Updated 4/26/2010

 DENNIS PAUL SMITH, October 26, 1937 - April 2, 2010

Dennis Smith, 72, of Grants Pass died April 2, 2010, at his home. A celebration of his life was held Tuesday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Room at Taprock. Stephens Family Chapel handled the arrangements. Dennis will be missed by us all.

   RICHARD GRAYBEAL - April 21, 2009

Dick Graybeal was born March 27, 1933 in Fairfax, Washington.  During the Korean War, he quit high school to join the Navy.  Upon his discharge, he returned to school in Seattle where he graduated from high school and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1958.  Later, he attended the University of Michigan where he earned a Master of Hospital Administration in 1962.  He was the first administrator of Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay.

His career was in Hospital and Clinic Administration for forty years and he retired in 1998.  After he retired, he spent several years exploring the Philippine Islands, Japan, and Thailand.

During the 1970's, he returned to the Navy Reserve and completed his twenty years, retiring in 1994 as a Master Chief Petty Officer.  He was a retired E-9 in the U.S. Navy.  Caring for our country's veterans was one of his passions, evidenced by the over 300 hours he volunteered at the V.A. Domiciliary in White City, Oregon.

Dick began running marathons when he was in his 40's.  When he was 18 and stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dick began riding motorcycles, a pleasure he pursued throughout his life for a total of 58 years.  He joined the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA)  on May 3rd, 1995.  In 1996, he bought a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and travelled to many destinations throughout the United States.

Dick lived a full life on his own terms and left this earth doing something he loved, riding his motorcycle.  Those of us who have been a part of Dick's life through his membership in the GWTA, will remember him fondly and are very honored to have shared the road several times with Dick.  We certainly understand his passion for riding, as we do.

We will miss you Dick.  Lillian

   JACK WOODS - March 10, 2009 

MY MEMORY OF JACK WOODS 1936-2009 - Jack was a soft-spoken guy, who loved people as well as he loved to ride his trike. Even with incapacitating illness he was persistent and rode on to enjoy nature and its surroundings without complaint. After the motorcycle chapters split Jack showed his enthusiasm for people and the enjoyment of riding his motorcycle by attending both GWTA chapters events. Jack didn’t sit around and complain. He was active in his membership with the Elks, Eagles, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Honda Gold Wing Trike Association and also with his bowling league.

It took extreme illness to slow Jack down and then I believe he fought the good fight until the end.

Jack will always be remembered as a friend who could be depended on.

Jack was on a Wing in life and, I’m sure, he’s now on a pair of wings riding smooth and painless roads forever. Save us all a spot Jack because there will come a time when we can all ride together once again. He will be missed.

By Don Coons

To read Jack's obit, Click here! 

IVAN SANDERS - March 12, 2007

April 1st, 2007, we said an official good-bye to a very dear friend and fellow motorcycle rider, Ivan Sanders. I was privileged to know Ivan and Rosemary for about 8 years through the Gold Wing Touring Association. They didn’t always have time to make it to all of the events because of their vast array of commitments; but every time you got to see them, both of them would give you the biggest hug. I don’t think I ever saw Ivan frown; he was always smiling. He lived life to the fullest as long as he could.

After the service at the church, all of his friends that rode motorcycles were honored to escort him to his beautiful resting-place. It was under a big tree in a cemetery right next to his son, Ivan. He had passed away in 2000.

What a touching story the pastor told about getting Ivan’s bike getting fixed a few days before the service. It started out at the Kawasaki Honda of Medford service department. They were booked so tight they couldn’t do it. They recommended Luke at Cycle Quest in Phoenix. Luke was also booked up but he suggested talking to one of his bike mechanics. Well, he told him to leave it for an hour or so and he would see what he could do. The mechanic called him back in an hour and said; come pick up Ivan’s bike, the clutch is fixed, and there was no charge. That mechanic was Jeff Hayes, from Cycle Quest, and CMA member. What an awesome story!!!

Ivan was laid to rest under that tree and we all rejoiced, as we knew he was in a far greater place than that box. We just knew that him, Jim Terrell, Dave Burkus, and Kenny West were all having a wonderful time up in heaven together; and out of pain. We will miss them all dearly. Thank you Ivan for being such an inspiration to us all.

Good bye "Morning Star’.

Lillian

To read Ivan's obit, Click here! 

JIM TERRELL - December 20, 2006

One of our most cherished members and wonderful friends went to be with the Lord on December 20th, 2006---Jim Terrell.

If you were around Jim for even 5 minutes, your life was probably made better for it. He had so many health issues thruout his lifetime, but hardly ever complained; and was always ready with a joke to make someone else smile. We have had so many great bike trips, dinners, and get-togethers with Jim and Marty: that we will truly miss him.

Gail always enjoyed just going over and sitting with him and talking about bike stories and looking at the latest Wing World magazine.

Jack & Harriet Wood’s are the lucky new owners of Jim’s trike. They are just having a ball riding it and they made sure that it was there at his service as well. The pastor was looking for the clubhouse, and saw the trike outside the door, and knew he had found the right spot. Patrick and Lillian also rode their trike and bike in Jim’s honor.

Many old and new friends from Chapter A and M came to see their friend off. We know he’s no longer in pain and that’s the only reason that we can rejoice in his passing. We will dearly miss him. Especially those August 15th get-togethers for Dick and Joyce’s and Jim and Marty’s anniversaries, and Lillian’s birthday.

We love you Jim and miss you deeply.

Lillian and Gail

DAVE BURKUS - December 3, 2006

On December 3rd Chapter M and Chapter A lost one of their most committed members; Dave Burkus. His son Larry told us he apparently had a massive heart attack.

 

During our 2006 poker run, Dave (who lived in Yreka) drove his truck up here to Medford so he could help out by running errands for us. He ran after ice, took Joann back and forth from the Honda shop checkpoint, put road signs up on the poker run route, and helped with tear down and return of all the chairs and tables. He was a great addition to our Chapter.

 

He rode his orange 1800 Gold Wing to almost every Chapter meeting in Grants Pass and Medford. When there was a ride scheduled he was usually there. Margie would come in the pick-up truck and join us as well.

 

I remember a Coast ride and a lunch stop for fish and chips. What fun it was!! We will all deeply miss our friend and fellow motorcycle rider--Dave Burkus. Our prayers go out to his wife, Margie, and the rest of his family.

 

Lillian

KEN WEST - March 26, 1930 - March 25, 2007

Kenny was born March 26, 1930. He worked at Owens Glass Company for 26 years as a mechanic in the forming department.

Kenny & Barb were married in 1953 and were together 53 years. He loved motorcycles, playing cards, dominoes, golf, and animals; especially his dogs. Spending time with family and friends meant a lot to Kenny. He retired in 1988 so as to have more time with the ones he loved.

Kenny and Barb and Jim & Marty Terrell were at the very first GWTA organizational meeting in the early part of 1991 that took place in Rogue River. Kenny & Barb joined the chapter then, and in 1993 when he and Barb were the chapter directors, Jim & Marty decided to join the chapter known as the Rogue Valley Wings.

Several fun years of traveling and camping with friends took place until in 2003 when illness slowed Kenny down and he had to get rid of his trusty steed, his Gold Wing. Kenny set a high standard for others to follow and always tried to make the best of the situation.

On March 25th, 2007, the day before his 77th birthday, Kenny left us. Those of us who go back to the early days of the Rogue Valley Wings, remember him well. Lots of love to you Kenny.

Lillian

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