Post deleted by moparts

Thank you Mike. Very well written.

RIP Gary.

Jeff

Thanks Mike. I wish I could have been there. But reading that made me feel as if I was. RIP my friend. Ron

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....

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.

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.

Thanks Mike
Your words have helped me and I think a lot of other people who could not make an apperance.

Thank you for your report for all of us that wish we could have attended.

Thanks for posting this. I too wish I could have been there and you made me feel like I was! God Speed, UN!

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

Thank you for sharing, it brought tears to my eyes once again. Rest in Peace UN you will be missed.

Thank you for sharing, wish I could have been there.

Thanks.

Thanks so much. This has helped me attend in spirit what I couldnt attend in person.

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.

Excellent story! Makes me feel like I was there.

I still cant beleive that all of this has happend. It just doesnt seem possible that he is gone.

Thanks for sharing.

And thanks to all who made the trip, who held the banner for the rest of us.

Thanks, Mike. I had intended to post my recollections last night. But, like you, I wrote and unwrote it a few times, and then ran out of time completely. Thanks for posting it, and allowing me to add to it. It felt really strange to be taking pictures at a funeral, too. But, I brought the camera so that those who couldn't be there could get an idea what it was like. With their support and thanks, I am glad I did (and I am even more glad that I was not the only one, 'cuz I would have missed too much).

~Mark

Thanks! The family is in my prayers.

i might be going out on a limb here. i think the man was loved because of his careing for others. the rest of it was just iceing on the cake for all concerned. thanks for shareing the story.

Rest In Peace Gary Davis.

Thank you for sharing that with us Mike.

RIP UN

Thanks for posting this guys..

Great description Mike. One of the most emotional days I've ever gone through in my 34 years on this earth.

Great writing, guys.

My racing stories pale in comparison to the accounts I've read on here. Being there, I can honestly say that you described the day perfectly.

Thank you...I can barely read the screen through the tears.

Thanks mike.nicely done.

Very well done Mike.I too felt it was an honor to be able to attend the funeral and pay my respects to such a great guy.I saw something yesterday during the procession that you probably didn't get a chance to see or hear.I was 2 cars behind you,and had the top down on the Challenger.As we turned into the graveyard,there were 3 motorcycle cops sitting just inside the gate.As you made the turn in,one officer jumped up and pointed to your car....and with a big smile on his face said to his 2 buddies.."MAN! Coop woulda loved that one!!" I'm glad I got to meet you,maybe we'll meet again in happier times.

Thanks for the description..I bet Gary would have never imagined what the loss of him has done to the Moparts family....Wish I could have met him.

that was a truly beautiful description. i felt as if i were actually there. thank you very much. it means a lot to us who couldn't attend. i can only imagine the awesome site of such a thing. without a doubt i'm sure he was proud looking down upon that. i'm sure that beautiful steed of his will miss him, and i know we will...

I too must thank you guys for the description of the funeral. It gave me a sense of being there in some way. Although I don't say much on these boards, I have been here since 2001 under another username. Even though I didn't know Gary personally, this has been real hard on me for some reason. I have thought about him and his family ever since I read that first post on May 13th. And I always will. He will not be forgotten. RIP Un.

Mike, thanks very much for describing Gary's funeral for us. I STILL can't hold the tears back. I just don't know what to say......I guess that says it all................

dave