A day late and a dollar short, yet with a heavy heart
I just found out about Bud's passing yesterday. And I feel like such a bad friend for not finding sooner, but a smile formed on my face about something that happened a few weeks back that helps explain that perhaps Bud tried to tell me.
I believe the last time I spoke with him was in early November, 2014. He was ribbing me pretty good for not stopping by in August, when I drove through Amarillo. Nevertheless, he sounded in very high spirits, and it seemed to me that perhaps he had made it through the other side of his recovery, and there were indicators to promise a positive recovery. After talking for nearly an hour, he ribbed me one last time for not stopping by. hahahaha. I apologized to him again. :ugh:L
Driving through Amarillo last August 2nd, he and Nancy were on my mind. I wondered if he was home...if he was in Phoenix, or perhaps back to Houston. I wished I could help Nancy with this burden, but I know she would not have it any other way. I even felt bad for his beloved Sophie. She followed him everywhere and anywhere, although I teased him many times that she would only when Nancy was not around. hahahaha. Dogs are wise about these things, and she surely worried for her daddy. I told him that I could step-in anytime and help with his transport (albeit, not in the Vette, for it would tear him up), but he never took me up on my offers. He would say Nancy and I got this, and smile. But on that Saturday, I worried that he endured so many trips back and forth to the hospital, that I thought perhaps he was not home that late afternoon Saturday, and chose instead to continue towards New Mexico.
I am thankful to have logged thousands of miles along Bud, on the highway and on the information superhighway. I first met him through The L81 Registry. His efforts to help other L81'ers was like a lighting of hope across the web on those days, for there was barely enough information about our venerable year model, and he helped me solve the first of hundreds of issues and questions I had. It was through him that I found CAC, and I was so impressed about his dedication to help others, and specially Corvette owners. A lifetime Corvette owner himself, he contributed and still has much information in these pages to shine our way through problems and solutions to them.
The bottom line of our passtime is the road, and the road he and I hit many times. In 2002, I did not get Gail ready for the road, and ran out of time, so I met him at Bowling Green, KY driving my commuter car. That was SharkFest, and I got to meet him finally in person, and met Blackdog, and Rob, and Andre, and so many Corvette enthusiasts that weekend, and at least I got to witness the baddest pool shindig he and Jeff (Blackdog) have done many times over. Andre became a Blender Colonel there, and the party atmosphere was so electrifying, that it provided juice to the blenders. WOW!!!!! awesome time. There had to be between 50 and 90 folks there partying, not including the kids. I went to bed early (midnight) because I got word that my son was coming home for a break from Iraq, so I took off next morning (Sunday). Definitely, one of my most cherished memories of Bud.
We were together when I broke down in Nebraska. We had just left the motel, and at the gas station,and I could not get the Vette to shut-off. Without hesitation, he went into action, and told me to head to the town's NAPA Autoparts store and try to see if they had an ignition switch for the Vette. He went on a different direction, and contacted his friend to see if we could use his garage to fix my ride. He got back in time to me when I was ready to leave the NAPA store, and had me follow him to his friend's house. There, we replaced the ignition's switch which later earned me the 2004 Road Warrior Award. I could not have done it without him.
Many memories out poured tonight blurring my vision. 2007 Cruise Fest. 2010 Cruise Fest. And in the center of them, it was Bud having a good time as no one else could, giving a helping hand, planning, funding, and carrying out many events all for the good of the Corvette community. And I may have found out late about his passing, but I am thick in many ways, and so clues often pass me by. But a few weeks ago, I was sitting in my family room watching TV (alone). When suddenly, I felt as if someone was running their fingers over my hair. It freaked me out!!! Five minutes later, it happened again. I was thinking that I was going crazy, or that perhaps a centipede had fallen on my head, but I could not find anything in my hair. Yesterday, however, it all became clear for me, and I smiled, for now I know that it was Bud stopping by and saying good bye.
God Speed my friend. Please pass our love to Jeff Alexander, Jane Ann, and all of our Corvette friends whom we have missed over the years. I love you brotha!
Nanc, my wife and Bud, 2012 visit to Amarillo
