Memorial

Elizabeth Harriet Krois - June 3rd 1950 - December 28th 2010 Most people called her Betty except for Ken who called her Scooter, and Marty who called her Boop. Short for Betty Boop. She was no bigger than a minute. Maybe 100 pounds and 5’1” although she claimed to be taller. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister and friend. Betty had many talents that she enjoyed. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining. She sewed beautifully. Painting rooms and sanding baseboards around her home was no problem. In general, work never bothered her at all. She taught herself to write the newsletter in columns and insert pictures. Betty had a lot of adversities in her life. Coming from Chicago she found that we did things differently here in the West. She learned to garden, can foods, feed animals and raise the children, nothing like the city she grew up in. She seemed to have a healthy amount of common sense, which helped keep her sane. Her hardest problem was more recent in the form of cancer. What a fight she had. She met it head on and won. She loved beautiful things like walking on the beach with Ken, or watching a sunset. We were fortunate to see a play this summer and she enjoyed it immensely. We have beautiful country to ride in and she never failed to notice these blessings. She was game for new things. There was nothing about Betty that was usual or boring. I admired her in many ways. We learned a lot from each other. She will be sorely missed by many. Carmen Warren
Richard R. (DICK) GRAYBEAL - March 27, 1933 - April 21, 2009 Dick Graybeal was born March 27, 1933 in Fairfax, Washington. During the Korean War, he quit high school to join the Navy. Upon his discharge, he returned to school in Seattle where he graduated from high school and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1958. Later, he attended the University of Michigan where he earned a Master of Hospital Administration in 1962. He was the first administrator of Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay. His career was in Hospital and Clinic Administration for forty years and he retired in 1998. After he retired, he spent several years exploring the Philippine Islands, Japan, and Thailand. During the 1970's, he returned to the Navy Reserve and completed his twenty years, retiring in 1994 as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He was a retired E-9 in the U.S. Navy. Caring for our country's veterans was one of his passions, evidenced by the over 300 hours he volunteered at the V.A. Domiciliary in White City, Oregon. Dick began running marathons when he was in his 40's. When he was 18 and stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dick began riding motorcycles, a pleasure he pursued throughout his life for a total of 58 years. He joined the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA) on May 3rd, 1995. In 1996, he bought a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and traveled to many destinations throughout the United States. Dick lived a full life on his own terms and left this earth doing something he loved, riding his motorcycle. Those of us who have been a part of Dick's life through his membership in the GWTA, will remember him fondly and are very honored to have shared the road several times with Dick. We certainly understand his passion for riding, as we do. We will miss you Dick. Lillian
JACK WOODS Dec 10, 1936 - March 10, 2009 MY MEMORY OF JACK WOODS Jack was a soft-spoken guy, who loved people as well as he loved to ride his trike. Even with incapacitating illness he was persistent and rode on to enjoy nature and its surroundings without complaint. After the motorcycle chapters split Jack showed his enthusiasm for people and the enjoyment of riding his motorcycle by attending both GWTA chapters events. Jack didn’t sit around and complain. He was active in his membership with the Elks, Eagles, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Honda Gold Wing Trike Association and also with his bowling league. It took extreme illness to slow Jack down and then I believe he fought the good fight until the end. Jack will always be remembered as a friend who could be depended on. Jack was on a Wing in life and, I’m sure, he’s now on a pair of wings riding smooth and painless roads forever. Save us all a spot Jack because there will come a time when we can all ride together once again. He will be missed. By Don Coons To read Jack's obit, Click here!	Jack and I talked about a lot of stuff, some meaningful, some not so. Whenever he said something that I thought was profound, I would write it down. I don't know why, just did....As I look back over these things, I think there is a lot to be said about his outlook on life in general... He never lacked for a sense of humor..... Thought you might enjoy some of that stuff....... Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. Never buy a car you can't push. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late. The second mouse gets the cheese. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person. Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they are all beautiful. from Steve O’Dell
IVAN SANDERS - Sept 30, 1935 - March 12, 2007 April 1st, 2007, we said an official good-bye to a very dear friend and fellow motorcycle rider, Ivan Sanders. I was privileged to know Ivan and Rosemary for about 8 years through the Gold Wing Touring Association. They didn’t always have time to make it to all of the events because of their vast array of commitments; but every time you got to see them, both of them would give you the biggest hug. I don’t think I ever saw Ivan frown; he was always smiling. He lived life to the fullest as long as he could. After the service at the church, all of his friends that rode motorcycles were honored to escort him to his beautiful resting-place. It was under a big tree in a cemetery right next to his son, Ivan. He had passed away in 2000. What a touching story the pastor told about getting Ivan’s bike getting fixed a few days before the service. It started out at the Kawasaki Honda of Medford service department. They were booked so tight they couldn’t do it. They recommended Luke at Cycle Quest in Phoenix. Luke was also booked up but he suggested talking to one of his bike mechanics. Well, he told him to leave it for an hour or so and he would see what he could do. The mechanic called him back in an hour and said; come pick up Ivan’s bike, the clutch is fixed, and there was no charge. That mechanic was Jeff Hayes, from Cycle Quest, and CMA member. What an awesome story!!! Ivan was laid to rest under that tree and we all rejoiced, as we knew he was in a far greater place than that box. We just knew that him, Jim Terrell, Dave Burkus, and Kenny West were all having a wonderful time up in heaven together; and out of pain. We will miss them all dearly. Thank you Ivan for being such an inspiration to us all. Good bye "Morning Star’. Lillian To read Ivan's obit, Click here!
KEN WEST - March 26, 1930 - March 25, 2007 Kenny was born March 26, 1930. He worked at Owens Glass Company for 26 years as a mechanic in the forming department. Kenny & Barb were married in 1953 and were together 53 years. He loved motorcycles, playing cards, dominoes, golf, and animals; especially his dogs. Spending time with family and friends meant a lot to Kenny. He retired in 1988 so as to have more time with the ones he loved. Kenny and Barb and Jim & Marty Terrell were at the very first GWTA organizational meeting in the early part of 1991 that took place in Rogue River. Kenny & Barb joined the chapter then, and in 1993 when he and Barb were the chapter directors, Jim & Marty decided to join the chapter known as the Rogue Valley Wings. Several fun years of traveling and camping with friends took place until in 2003 when illness slowed Kenny down and he had to get rid of his trusty steed, his Gold Wing. Kenny set a high standard for others to follow and always tried to make the best of the situation. On March 25th, 2007, the day before his 77th birthday, Kenny left us. Those of us who go back to the early days of the Rogue Valley Wings, remember him well. Lots of love to you Kenny. Lillian
JIM TERRELL - Jul 31, 1934 - Dec 20, 2006 One of our most cherished members and wonderful friends went to be with the Lord on December 20th, 2006---Jim Terrell. If you were around Jim for even 5 minutes, your life was probably made better for it. He had so many health issues thruout his lifetime, but hardly ever complained; and was always ready with a joke to make someone else smile. We have had so many great bike trips, dinners, and get-togethers with Jim and Marty: that we will truly miss him. Gail always enjoyed just going over and sitting with him and talking about bike stories and looking at the latest Wing World magazine. Jack & Harriet Wood’s are the lucky new owners of Jim’s trike. They are just having a ball riding it and they made sure that it was there at his service as well. The pastor was looking for the clubhouse, and saw the trike outside the door, and knew he had found the right spot. Patrick and Lillian also rode their trike and bike in Jim’s honor. Many old and new friends from Chapter A and M came to see their friend off. We know he’s no longer in pain and that’s the only reason that we can rejoice in his passing. We will dearly miss him. Especially those August 15th get-togethers for Dick and Joyce’s and Jim and Marty’s anniversaries, and Lillian’s birthday. We love you Jim and miss you deeply. Lillian and Gail
DAVE BURKUS - Jan 07, 1944 - Dec 3, 2006 On December 3rd Chapter M and Chapter A lost one of their most committed members; Dave Burkus. His son Larry told us he apparently had a massive heart attack. During our 2006 poker run, Dave (who lived in Yreka) drove his truck up here to Medford so he could help out by running errands for us. He ran after ice, took Joann back and forth from the Honda shop checkpoint, put road signs up on the poker run route, and helped with tear down and return of all the chairs and tables. He was a great addition to our Chapter. He rode his orange 1800 Gold Wing to almost every Chapter meeting in Grants Pass and Medford. When there was a ride scheduled he was usually there. Margie would come in the pick-up truck and join us as well. I remember a Coast ride and a lunch stop for fish and chips. What fun it was!! We will all deeply miss our friend and fellow motorcycle rider--Dave Burkus. Our prayers go out to his wife, Margie, and the rest of his family. Lillian