Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: I_bleed_MOPAR]
#12026
05/17/04 10:36 PM
05/17/04 10:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 902 Ohio
gtxmark
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 902
Ohio
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: 10secGTX]
#12028
05/17/04 11:17 PM
05/17/04 11:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,129 Cleveland
sunroofgtx
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 12,129
Cleveland
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Quote:
Quote:
The local Fox station at 5:00 showed the Mopars and interviewed Jack Irons and a Moparts member from Cleveland who was there in his Police uniform. Sorry but I didn't catch his name. It was a very impressive goodbye for Gary. I got the VCR setup to record it at 6:00 but they cut out the Mopars and interviews and just said Gary was a classic car lover.
I was standing with Rick Gorski, (SunroofGTX)DartGirl and JohnRR when the girl from Fox politely asked to interview us I don't remeber what I even said its all kind of a Blur, but I do know this everybody and I mean EVERYBODY knew today how much this Family (MOPARTS) meant to Gary it was stated during the funeral by his Chief, how much his wife, job and hobbie meant to him. I stood at attention and watched so many nice cars with even better people From Moparts and not from moparts drive into that cemetary I am so Proud to be a part of Moparts, we have a great thing here Thank You to whoever started it
What an absolute turnout.. Meaning absolute respect, absolute sadness, absolute amazement, and absolute support from all of the family, co-workers,and friends. Even the surrounding communitities stopped their business as usual just for an hour or so to watch Gary's long procession sadly snake from the church to the cemetary and then to the banquet. There was nothing anybody could've said to any camera that could even come close to the visual and emotional feelings that were being shown by the attendees.
I want to let all Moparts members know that I truly feel that Gary was humbled as he saw our presence there as his friends, showing support to his wife, family and fellow officers.
The final bugle cadence of Taps is usually the last signal to show a brother officer has reached his last call, but today it was the sound of his 440, seeming to show it's last respectful RPM's, to an owner any automobile, friend or brother could ever wish for.
May you rest in peace Gary. Rick Gorski, Cleveland Firefighter
Join the quickest team in motorsports. Team FireCore. CustomWiresets.com
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: sunroofgtx]
#12029
05/17/04 11:24 PM
05/17/04 11:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,038 MN
JERICOGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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MN
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Thank you Mike. Very well written. RIP Gary. Jeff
69 GTX
68 Road Runner
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: beeper71]
#12031
05/17/04 11:38 PM
05/17/04 11:38 PM
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Anonymous
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While I'm not able to talk about the funeral at this moment as it's just like opening a wound that's not even scabbed over yet; I can say that it was a lovely service and Gary would have been proud of his family and loyal friends who saw him out with grace, class, and dignity. Thank you for all who attended. It was not easy to say goodbye and I don't think I really have let myself say goodbye just yet. I feel like we lost our chief. I keep wishing I could call Gary up like I had so many other times to ask for some guidence.. This really hurts. I can't imagine Nicoles pain. This is all just so unfair....
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: Chall74440]
#12032
05/18/04 12:34 AM
05/18/04 12:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,270 Missouri
MY340
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Posts: 5,270
Missouri
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The pictures from the other posts and your description of the funeral give us all a great sense of what the day was for everyone there. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Rest in peace and may the Lord be with you always Gary Davis.
1970 FE5 Duster 360/904/3.91's SOLD
1973 TB3 SpaceDuster 340/4spd/4.10's SOLD
Moparless for now but when the opportunity is right I'll have another one.
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: MY340]
#12033
05/18/04 02:57 AM
05/18/04 02:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 619 Fairfield, CA
Snooker
mopar
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mopar
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Posts: 619
Fairfield, CA
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Thanks Mike, the description along with the photos that 1Bad posted sure help those of us that couldn't be there.
I thought of Gary and the services along the way today, with prayers and hope that his family could find some comfort in how the Moparts community responded - your description and the photos sure show those prayers were answered.
Orig DOB 2-02 / Snooker there & here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
[Re: Rhinodart]
#12037
05/18/04 08:32 AM
05/18/04 08:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941 Holly/MI
Dean_Kuzluzski
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Posts: 8,941
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My wife & I were honored to attend and be a part of Gary's life. We hope the best for Nikki.
I was so stressed out and dehydrated by the end of the ceremony at the graveyard that we decided to regroup at home and rest a while ourselves. I had a headache coming on and it had been a long 3 days.
Just my thoughts, I want to close with an acknowledgement of how great the support has been by ALL and especially those that could attend. I think Gary would have been very proud to see that beautiful line of Mopars following him out.
Thanks Guys!!
Dean
R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
#12038
05/18/04 09:19 AM
05/18/04 09:19 AM
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Anonymous
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Thank you for sharing, it brought tears to my eyes once again. Rest in Peace UN you will be missed.
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
#12039
05/18/04 09:31 AM
05/18/04 09:31 AM
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Anonymous
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Thank you for sharing, wish I could have been there.
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
#12040
05/18/04 09:48 AM
05/18/04 09:48 AM
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
#12041
05/18/04 10:13 AM
05/18/04 10:13 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,437 The Naughty Spot
BirdinPieces
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Posts: 3,437
The Naughty Spot
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Thanks so much. This has helped me attend in spirit what I couldnt attend in person.
The Bird
Some are wise, and some are otherwise...
Say what you want, but in the end, it is what it is...
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Re: Gary's Funeral and Procession story
#12042
05/18/04 10:28 AM
05/18/04 10:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 634 USA
Slider
super gas
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super gas
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Posts: 634
USA
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Stroked Hemi, I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd put my reflections here, on your post as well.
First off, let me say that Gary’s funeral was an incredibly emotional and moving experience.
The first thing that hit me was the sheer number of police officers in attendance. As some others have said, I have never seen so many police officers in one location in my entire life (I worked at a state police post for three months.) I think there must have been at least one representative from every law enforcement agency in the State (at least from the lower peninsula of Michigan). County Sheriffs, City Officers, Township Officers. Village Officers, even border patrol officers were there, not to mention fire, rescue, and ambulance personnel. Although I didn’t expect anything less, the respect and honor they showed to a fallen brother was truly amazing.
My Dart is in pieces, so I couldn’t participate in the processional with the other Moparts members who were there. I apologize for not seeking any of you out. I don’t know anybody by sight, and it did not feel like the right place to try to socialize. I introduced myself to Dart Girl later at the cemetery, but that was because I recognized her, and she was standing right beside me. (I thought it would be rude not to at least say, “hi.”)
Everyone gathered outside the funeral home, waiting for Gary’s casket to arrive. When it had, the family was ushered into the church, and seated in the front pews. There were three separate honor guard detachments lining the entrance. A lone bagpiper escorted the flag-draped casket to the front of the church, where two honor guard officers were stationed to watch over the casket throughout the proceedings. Then, the police officers approached the casket side-by-side. When they reached it, they would parade salute (slow motion), and turn to their respective sides, and exit to find a seat. This went on for at least 45 minutes. (Again, AMAZING to see all those officers there for one purpose, to honor one of their own.)
Stroked Hemi’s description of the service is right on. After the service was over, I went to the end of the drive to get some photos of the processional as it left. First, there were about a dozen County Sheriff motorcycle officers leading. Then, Gary’s hearse came; followed by “Unlawfl”, Gary’s car. (I wanted to make sure I caught a picture of “Unlawfl” following Gary’s casket. It seemed fitting.) I stood at the end of that driveway for at least an hour, watching car after car join the processional. I caught the second half of the Mopar processional leaving the funeral home on video, but the beginning was lost due to camera trouble. (If anyone can help me post what I do have, I would appreciate it!)
I feel sorry for anyone that was trying to get anywhere in Waterford on Saturday! The processional had to have gone on for quite a while (maybe an hour, I am not sure). As stated before, they just kinda had to shut their cars off and wait, without any other option. I did notice a plum crazy superbee (?) convertible that was near the entrance to the cemetery, so I let them jump ahead of me, figuring that they were Moparts members. (I noticed OneBadSuperbird in the passenger’s seat after they pulled out, but I didn’t recognize the driver, sorry.) I’ll bet they got some great footage of the processional pulling into the cemetery! (John, I would love to get a copy of that, if possible.)
I didn’t take any pictures once I got inside the cemetery, but it was all very emotional. “Unlawfl” was parked right next to the family’s limo and the hearse. The corps of bagpipers led Gary’s casket to his place, followed by the family. Everyone crowded near to listen to the reverend, then watched and listened as an honor guard recited the symbolism of the folding of the flag that was draped over Gary’s casket. The flag was then presented to Nikki. (This was EXTREMELY difficult to bear.) Two police helicopters flew overhead, and there was a 21-gun salute. The bagpipers played Amazing Grace, which was almost as difficult for me as watching Nikki receive the flag. Then, a Bloomfield Township office offered a final salute to Gary (this was recorded by another member, and is in another post titled “Sound byte that you are all gonna want to hear”). I lost it after that salute. Finally, “Unlawfl” was started and revved up, in final tribute to Gary. I was balling as I made my way to my car.
I regret that I could not stay for the reception, and meet any Moparts members that were there. I hope there will be a more joyous time for that in the future.
�Hunt down those Chevies and Fords and crush �em like bugs!� ~ Tom Hoover
(O=o=====o=O)
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Post deleted by moparts
[Re: Slider]
#12045
05/18/04 12:28 PM
05/18/04 12:28 PM
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Anonymous
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