JD's Final Car Show & Memorial - Oct.26, 2014

Post by **daytonajim** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:37 am

This was a 'cars-guy-car' send off just the way JD wanted it.

There are so many to thank that helped pull this off. Eric, Dustin, Nancy, relatives & friends.

Eric Wolfe starting DH #30 for the 1st time in a long time - cold blooded!

[youtube:1m91qi9m][/youtube:1m91qi9m]

Quick Idle video.......will load more later ...... having a problem uploading.

Nancy made an old guy pretty darn happy - me! I had the honor & privilege to drive JD's Dick Harrell #30 from his home with Charlie Matters (HRE #1974) to the chapel & then back home with JD along for the ride. Charlie held on to JD nice & tight. The car now has 624 miles - almost worn out!

WOW!!! Gotta have a 630 hp plus anything GMMG! DH #30 is 'bad-to-the-bone'! I'm hoping someone will send me the 'on-the-road' video so we can post it. Please send photos & video's.............

[youtube:1m91qi9m][/youtube:1m91qi9m]

I'll start posting & add photos & video's as I get them. Please e-mail photos @ info@gmmgregistry.com

It took awhile for me to get my big butt into the car with the roll bar & we almost had to get the 'jaws-or'life' to cut me out of the car.

The program........ Very cool! Fantastic job!

Center page had the GMMG window sticker in the background

The Honorary Pallbearers were JD's 5 cars....... Dick Harrell #30, ZL-1 Supercar #17, Tom Henry #21, DEI #68 & the white anniversary convertible.

A procession with the 5 cars to the chapel & home again with the Corvette & Camaro Club following was as a tribute to JD. Sooooooooo Cooooooooool!!!!!

JD's cars were lined up outside the chapel.

JD's urn had the Chevy Bow-Tie. Would you expect anything less?

A smaller urn will go in the garage with the GMMG Registry window sticker & 'When fast just isn't fast enough'. He will be watching over his cars.

There was military honor guard, two officers at a time standing watch over JD, flag ceremony, 21 gun salute, bag pipes & taps on a trumpet. Very military / Law Enforcement.

Flowers were sent on behalf of his pals on the GMMG Registry. Aaron did a fantastic job ---the flowers were very nice. If anyone would like to kick in for the flowers feel free to do so.

The place was packed with JD's pals.

The Corvette Club & Camaro Club did Caravan & it was fun watching them arrive.

But the hit was JD & Nancy's amazing cars.

Charlie & I gave JD an appropriate ride home making noise all the way! I hope someone has a video!

We all have lost a good pal & are all a lot smarter about GMMG's because of JD.

'Drive fast until you see the face of God, then brake'! Bye-bye my friend. Later......... Jim

Post by **daytonajim** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:04 am

Let’s celebrate JD’s life & tell some stories……….

If you had to explain JD in one word could you? Not me… words like intense, focused, and dedicated, friend, pal, educator & photographer come to mind.

Life for JD was very black & white with NO gray. You were either in trouble or not.

If you questioned anything with JD you better bring your ‘A’ Game with lots of supporting documentation or he would blow more holes in it than a piece of Swiss Cheese.

Everyone learned from JD. He knew cars – especially GMMG Cars. Just ask him! He just knew stuff! He forgot more than any of us would ever know.

The doctors found Mobil 1 Synthetic in his veins when they did the blood transfusion. They couldn’t believe it so they did a second transfusion a week later & you guessed it – more Mobil 1.

When Nancy was around there was magic & a twinkle in JD’s eyes. She’s the only one I know of that could hold him down. When it came time to clean & detail a car for a car show she’d make JD lay down next to his dish so she could clean the car ‘the right way’! If Nancy & Aaron Thornton ever got together everyone’s car would be detailed.

What do you think he was thinking about when Nancy was cleaning the cars & he was watching her? A guess might be………. If she hurry’s up we’d have time to get something to eat!

JD made a difference. His countless hours with the GMMG Registry have helped so many GMMG owners. Every time we look at the metal signs, shirts, hats, clocks, license plates, windshield banners, window decals & everything else we will all think about & remember JD. His work is hung on garage walls everywhere.

If you are a pal of JD you had a friend forever.

JD has been a great pal & friend to all of us & will be missed.

JD: Drive fast until you see the face of GOD, then brake!

We love you & will miss you.

Jim Smith

KDawgFilmz · Post by **KDawgFilmz** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:17 pm

Here's a short video tribute to JD and his Dick Harrell #30 Supercar.

Thanks Harley - Jim

[youtube:1kzg16w3][/youtube:1kzg16w3]

Post by **daytonajim** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:42 pm

Sorry it's taken so long to respond....and my sincere condolences and sympathy in the. Loss of JD. Way too soon.

Any interest in a GMMG reunion at the Camaro Nationals??

Yes, let's figure out what we need to do to make this happen. Jim

boggie12 · Post by **boggie12** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 12:33 am

Lets make the GMMG reunion happen. I am a member of the Maryland Camaro Club and can get things going on this end if that helps.

68 RSSS Ragtop · Post by **68 RSSS Ragtop** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:17 pm

A one of a kind for "A one of a kind". Very nice.

HOTROD1974 · Post by **HOTROD1974** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:23 pm

I didn't hear this one at the funeral, but it was our J.D.

RIP my friend.

Post by **daytonajim** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 7:20 pm

I miss the conversations with JD but this is nothing compared to what Nancy is dealing with.

Stay strong....... we all love you. Jim