1 (edited by BluesMan 2009-04-10 17:26:23)

Topic: To my dear friend Jeff......

I know in the past I had told you all about my friend Jeff who had fought two battles with adult Leukemia. Well, today I got a call that we all hope to never get. My dear friend and one of the few men that I call the brother I never had, passed away. His full name is Jeffrey Vickers and he is survived by his wife Wendy and adult children David, Danielle and Erin. Any prayers that you could offer for Jeff's family would be greatly appreciated.

As we did every year, tomorrow my golfing buddies and I would gather at Jeff's home to drink beer, eat and watch the third round of the Masters. It was the beginning of our golf season here. Because tomorrow I am scheduled to take my family on a vacation, I was saddened that I would not be able to attend our "Masters Day". Of course today, I found out the above information. From now on, any time I pick up a golf club my friend Jeff will be on my mind as he will be for a long time to come.....

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy,
   I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend.  My prayers are with his family and you.  I'm sure Jeff was an outstanding person and will be missed by many.  God Speed......
                                                                                     Patty

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

deepest condolences to you and the family of your friend.

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy,
Very sorry to hear of Jeff's passing.
I will say a prayer for him and his family.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

I am so sorry for you , Jeff's family and  friends.
Wish you all the strength you need now.

Andre Wittebroek

6 (edited by BluesMan 2009-04-10 22:55:54)

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Thank you my friends......

To say we are all shocked is an understatement. You see, even though Jeff had been taken to deaths door not once, but twice via Chemo Therapy and survived a bone marrow transplant from his brother, we had all thought Jeff beat this dreaded disease. As a matter of fact, it was just a little over a week ago when Jeff called me at work to invite me over for our "Masters Day". He sounded wonderful and was so looking forward to our 28th year of golfing together. I had to tell him that I couldn't make it, because of the vacation we're going, but in typical Jeff fashion he told me I'd be in their thoughts as they watched The Masters on TV.

Apparently, Jeff woke yesterday morning about 4:30 AM and told his wife that he felt the disease coming back and that he just couldn't sleep. They were both undecided whether to go to Waukesha Memorial Hospital where Jeff had his treatments or to drive the 60 miles to Madison where Jeff received his transplant. Wendy told Jeff to lie down while she made calls and a little while later when she checked on him, Jeff wasn't breathing. By the time paramedics arrived, my friend had gone to another place.......

Today is a very sad day for all involved who knew and loved my dear friend Jeff. Please make sure you tell the people who are important to you in your life that you love them. Jeff and I did this often.....he will never be replaced.

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy we cant live forever, so shall we enjoy the time we have left....you look at life much different when an illness hits a close friend or a family member....Deb and I certainly wish Jeffs family and friends comfort in their time of need....which reminds me of a coworker of mine whos wife is sick and doing the whole chemo thing, the poor guy is nothing but doom and gloom....I did something I really didnt want to do, but I told him to toughen his **** up, the last thing his wife needed was her "man" crying on her hysterically....unfortunately I embarrassed him, but someone had to tell the guy....I know that sounds cold, but I couldnt stand any more of his whining......and for those that dont know, I'm walking in the same shoes....I guess what I'm trying to say is smile when life is going good and put on a happy face when it's not, because people are watching and counting on you more than you can ever imagine

What do you say we have a nice day, and lets say a prayer for Jeff Vickers family smile ....here's a big hug to all that need one

Dave and Deb

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy
Condolences to both Jeff's family and you.

To Live's To Fly

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy - sending big hugs    (((((Roy))))

Sincere condolences to you and Jeff's family.

Sandy

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy, I'm so sorry about Jeff. I know how much he meant to you and everyone who knew him. My thoughts and prayers go to you and Jeff's family.

Mary

LOL-ler-tastic.

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Sorry to hear that Roy. It just goes without saying that the grim reaper can show his ugly face at any time so just enjoy life as much as you can. Cherish your friends and try to bring a smile to someone you don't know every day.

Major Tom to ground control...

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

I am very sorry for your loss Roy, and also for Jeff's family's loss. It is extremely always sad when someone we love leaves us...especially in such a cruel and unnecessary way!! It is very difficult to say the right thing...or to say anything at all for that matter.

I'm certainly not a praying man....but my sincerest thoughts go out to you and your friends and family at this very sad time Roy. Hope to share a toast with you in 3 weeks time buddy.

"Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman."
                                                                                                   Ludwig Van Beethoven

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

First off, on behalf of Jeff's family, I want to thank you all for the prayers that you sent out, they are/were greatly appreciated.

I'm now back from on family vacation in Cancun. I learned of Jeff's death the day before we were suppose to leave and it was very hard not to cancel the vacation knowing that I wouldn't be able to attend Jeff's funeral. However, above all else in life, Jeff put his family first and because my children were so looking forward to this, I knew Jeff would want us to go.

On a lighter note....last Saturday morning when I awoke at 3:00 AM to get ready to go to the airport, a very funny thought of Jeff and I came to mind. Quite a few years ago, Jeff and I were playing a round of golf at one of our favorite courses. It was just the two of us which always was fun to share thoughts concerning our lives privately. As we left the 7th green on our way to the 8th tee, Jeff went to kick a stick and for some reason the stick grabbed hold of his sock and ripped it darn near off his foot. We both broke out into hysterical laughter as we normally did on golf outings. For years after, Jeff or I would simply mention "the attack of the killer stick" and we both would bust out laughing again......

So strange to wake up the day after Jeff's passing with that comical thought in mind. Who knows, maybe everything is just fine up there......

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

I just got your Email so I had missed this posting and wish to publicly express my condolences to you, yours, Jeff's family, and Jeff's friends like you.  I remember you being quite upset at the outset and posting on here. I meant what I said then to you, and I say it again to all, paraphrased, a little short and only a little less sweet when the fight is over: Love lives, and memories cannot pass away.  Live, Love, Laugh.  You don't need much else really.

Rock On & Keep On Course, Golf or Otherwise, & Keep the Faith-It continually sustains you (us),
Long Hair & Cancer Aware,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”

15 (edited by BluesMan 2009-06-14 21:27:03)

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Thank you Rocket! I posted the video under the title "Happier Times and Wonderful Memories" under this same Other Topic category. Steve sent me the video on Friday which he put together for Jeff's wife Wendy. When I first viewed it I was a little sad, but it still made me smile and laugh about all of the good times that we had. As it is with very good friends, Jeff could never be replaced because we all miss him very much.

A little side note though.......this year on Memorial day we played at the exact same Golf Course (Deer Trak) that we did a year ago when Jeff was alive. Our foursome was made up of three of the same guys; John, Steve and I. However, Jeff's adult son David joined us in place of his Dad. We relived the previous year's outing with David and really had a wonderful time. David, like his father, shot the best score of the day and I ended up bringing up the rear. As we stood shaking hands on the last hole, David pulled out his Dad's driver cover which was in the form of a skunk. Jeff had always used that to accentuate a bad shot no matter who hit it. Since I was last, David awarded me the skunk driver cover to keep for the year. The four of us plan to make this a yearly outing and so next year, I hope to be able to award "The Skunk" to one of the other guys. smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

my Condolences Roy to you and your dear frinds Familie










Geko

Re: To my dear friend Jeff......

Roy I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. RIP Jeff

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk