J-Bird's Ridin' Free : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Roq · 09-22-2008, 06:54 PM

J-Bird, or Jeff Bray, went to ride the smooth lanes this past spring. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, he made his home in the Texas Hill Country. Loved by many, cherished by quite a few. More fun than most, a guaranteed good time, anytime. A professional guest and sure-fire party-starter. Rode the wheels off his sled, a Heritage Softail. He'll be missed by lots o' folks. They showed up at his funeral in Lubbock from as much as 800 miles out. We carried him out, laid him down, and stayed 'til he was covered. The wake lasted well into the next morning. Old friends, grade school friends, bikers, fishermen, party hounds, old girl friends all came together to send him off and share memories. He'll live, ride, and fish with us for the rest of our days. And in the hearts of his God-children. He never had any kids of his own, but was loved by many. Always had a smile, a belly laugh, some money for a good report card, and a story to tell them. Some of 'em are grown, now. All of 'em miss him. So do we.
Godspeed, J-Bird.

Mr Cujo · 09-22-2008, 07:11 PM

That's a proud and fine way to send a friend on ahead..
Sounds like he'll leave a well marked trail for you and all his friends to follow..

True Texan class, love, and respect. Too bad the rest of the world misses out on that..but then, it wouldn't be so special.

We should all be so lucky to have friends like you were to J-Bird...or he was to you..

Cujo

Roq · 09-23-2008, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the kind words. It's just the way we do things down here. I'm one of the late comers to that little social circle, only been 30 years into it. Lotsa these folks have together since lil bitty childhood, others joined up as time went on. I met a gal at the wake that hadn't seen J-Bird since the third grade, and drove in from Dallas. One guy from El Paso, others from San Antonio, Houston, Marble Falls, and all over the place. As we get older, the love shared between us grows stronger. We can be apart for a couple years or so, and catch up in twenty minutes. It's the sort of thing that makes ya realize what life is really about.

SORGY · 10-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Hey Brother. Haven't posted here since 2002. I'm Sorgy Friend of Jeff. Appreciate the post. The lady that took care of Jeff to his very last breath is sitting right next to me at this very moment. We all live in Red Rock TX. where Jeff chose to live out what time he had left. He upgraded to a black 2006 Ultra Classic before he passed. Beautiful scoot.
He'll live, ride, and fish AND DRINK BEER!!!. Take Care Brother & be safe. Sorgy