R.I.P. Eric McClellan 11/25/15 (Yamifj1200 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=profile;u=3))
Not really sure what happened as his wife Anita was very upset but i think something fell and crushed him at work.
She seemed to think that he expired shortly after the accident so we hope he didnt have to suffer a lot of pain.
I will update this thread after i get more details.... Eric left behind his Wife Anita and son Jim.
He was a good friend and will be missed.
Vaya con dios Eric
Frank
Just heard. RIP buddy.
) :
Tragic news
RIP Eric
Randy - RPM
My God, That's terrible news. Eric's constant grin will be sorely missed.
Frank,
Thank you for sharing the tragic news. I considered Eric one of the original FJ'ers and more importantly, a friend. He will be missed. I'll keep his family in my thoughts and prayers.
For those who did know Eric by name, his FJowners handle was Yamifj1200 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=profile;u=3)
RIP
Randy - RPM
Anita said something about he was working on a lathe... Eric was a machinist and i know he worked with some pretty big stuff that could easily kill a person if it got loose.
Its just conjecture in my mind as i try and rationalize why my friend is dead.
Terrible news, Eric was a mate and mentor to so many, tragically taken too soon, if there's any thoughts on how to best help and support his loving wife, Anita and son Jim through this time of shock, grief and mourning, please share them with his FJ friends.
RIP, Eric, you're a good man, loved by all.
I'm shocked and sorry to hear this news.
Eric had contacted me recently, and we were looking forward to seeing each other and catching up at ECSR '16... I missed the last two.
RIP, Eric... Godspeed
Randy T
Indy
Truly sad news. I didn't know Eric but I feel bad for his unexpected passing. RIP and thoughts to his family and loved ones.
George
Thoughts and prayers for the family. Big R
Quote from: racerman_27410 on November 25, 2015, 03:44:58 PM
He was a good friend and will be missed.
Really tragic and shocking... I hope they get good support from friends and family.
I had a great buddy get killed on a bicycle a couple weeks ago. Car hit him and he was gone... Their family is reeling and still more angry than anything else.
Live each day like it could be your last.
Frank
This is sad news. Shocking and sad.
I am lucky to have spent some quality time with Eric. He and I got along very well.
The first time I met Eric was at the FJ Rally in Boone.....way back when.
On this particular day, most of the FJ'ers had gone out to play. Eric, Calvin, and I stayed in camp.
Calvin went looking for firewood. Eric and I just loafed around camp, chatting and enjoying life.
We talked a lot about FJ's and bikes in general. Talked about lottsa other things too.
It was a good day, indeed!
A few years later, Eric and Frank M. put together a plan for an FJ "dream trip" out West.
They trailered their FJ's to my house in Denver. Off-loaded the FJ's and parked
the trailer and van in my yard.
At the time, I was on my FJ, and already camped up in Wyoming. They knew where I was camped, and as planned, they rode up and met me at my camp. This camp was almost directly on their planned route out through the West, so it worked out almost TOO easy!
What an enjoyable laid-back time we had!! We weren't in a hurry. Everything was working out just fine, and we all savored the moment.
I'd sure like to do that again.
I do say "Thank you" to Eric for the fine warm memories.
Lee Carkenord
Shocking news.
I have read Eric's posts for years and he was always helpful....always.
I had the pleasure to meet him when Marsh, Klavdy and I went back to the Tellico rally.
He was the real deal. I had fun with him. In the mornings I would go out and dry off my bike along with some Zaino spray to get her to sparkle.
Eric's beautiful '91 was parked next to mine so, what the hell... I would also do Eric's bike, unbeknownst to Eric.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/3_20_04_09_9_21_23.jpeg)
It was funny to watch his reaction. Looking at his sparkly clean bike, scratching his head, puzzled and wondering how it got that way.
I did that for 2 days without getting caught...he caught me on Sunday. He said, "Remind me to always get a cabin next to you..."
Frank, Henry, Dean, TRoy and the all the East Coast gang, I am sorry for the loss of your friend. You guys had many fine times together.
We have lost one the nicest members of our clan.
Pat
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Zwartie
That's some crap......... The man beats medical issues and dies at work? Rode that bike like he stole it and now he's gone. This is hard to fathom.
That's terrible. My condolences go out to his family and friends. I know he was a good friend to a bunch of you and I am sorry for your loss. He helped me out a few times over the years and I always appreciated his advice.
RIP
Eric reached out to me when I was newbie and planning the FZ1 swing arm and forks on my bike. We spoke on the phone numerous times and he was a great deal of help. My prayers are with his Wife And Son. My condolences to Frankie, Dean, Carey, Danny, Randy and all the East coasters that enjoyed Eric's friendship.
Making the Rally's have always been s priority with me, none more than this next one.
RIP Eric
Scott
I never had a chance to meet Eric. My condolences go out to his family and friends. RIP Eric
Fred
Sad news , he will be greatly missed.
An FJ brother I didn't have the pleasure to meet...Through the outpouring support I've been reading, he was a friend to many here and that speaks volumes about the person he was. I can't imagine the loss his loved ones are feeling...To try and make sense of this tragedy is likely overwhelming. Hopefully, some peace will come from knowing he was loved by many and will be remembered fondly.
Holy shit. I just don't know what to say.
I don't have a lot of close friends, but Eric and I kinda bonded the first time I met him in Boone, '05 or '06. I always felt like there was a connection there, even though we didn't see each other that often. He will be sorely missed. Now I regret even more that we didn't get to see him this spring.
In memory, I'm gonna change my sig line to my favorite Derek Magellan quote: "Y'all might be faster than me, but you didn't have more fun than I did."
Vaya con dios.
rossi
Requiescat in pace
(http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/rocklucas9/IMG_0450_zpstnc2emky.jpg) (http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/rocklucas9/media/IMG_0450_zpstnc2emky.jpg.html)
(http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/rocklucas9/IMG_0378_zpsftgtbjxz.jpg) (http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/rocklucas9/media/IMG_0378_zpsftgtbjxz.jpg.html)
It is quite clear he touched many lives, I did not get the pleasure of meeting him. My heart goes out to his family and all affected by his sudden departure from this world.
Shit. I hate these threads, no matter which forum. God Bless, and stay safe fellas. We only get one lap.
Quote from: rlucas on November 26, 2015, 06:18:36 AM
...
In memory, I'm gonna change my sig line to my favorite Derek Magellan quote: "Y'all might be faster than me, but you didn't have more fun than I did."
rossi
Nice Rock. See below for my all time favorite Eric one liner.. He said this (dryly) to Frank after watching him fall off his XT. He was a funny guy and a good friend. I sure will miss him.
RIP
What a hell of a loss, my thoughts are definitely with his family.
I have so, so many fond memories of fireside chats with Eric over the years. It is no exaggeration to say that he is the reason I still ride. One year at Boone i started having doubts about continued riding, fearing I was on the wrong side of the risk/reward curve. His "you may be faster, but you weren't having more fun" philosophy was exactly what I needed to hear. If I am honest, it is a lesson I'm still trying to fully absorb.
I was really looking forward to more fireside philosophy with him. He will be missed.
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 26, 2015, 10:20:09 AM
Shit. I hate these threads, no matter which forum. God Bless, and stay safe fellas. We only get one lap.
hear here.
(http://mustardseedrecording.com/Test/assets/images/hands_praying_rosary_7_as_m2.jpg)
RIP Eric Mcclellan. Prayers and Condolences for the family.
I hate reading these threads! :ireful:
I'm sure Eric was a great FJer, husband & father, surely taken too soon. I never had the pleasure of meeting him. With all the kind words written by those that knew him well, I feel like I missed out!
My condolences to his family and all those that will miss him.
Ed
Quote from: simi_ed on November 26, 2015, 02:28:41 PM
I hate reading these threads! :ireful:
I'm sure Eric was a great FJer, husband & father, surely taken too soon. I never had the pleasure of meeting him. With all the kind words written by those that knew him well, I feel like I missed out!
My condolences to his family and all those that will miss him.
Ed
All of the above,
Jeff
Awwww, man.....
Eric and Calvin were the first FJers I met in person, July 1998.
I was always glad to see each of them (and all the rest of you who I've gotten to ride with) at our rides, and it always did me good to know that he and a bunch of you guys would get together and hang out / dirt-ride together; he was part of what made this such a great community that I was compelled to bring friends and family to meet you all.
He is missed.
Damn.
Bugger!!!!
Eric was a big help to me (along with Frank) when I joined the Yahoo group all those years ago (10 I think).
Shocked to hear this.
I'm now sad! :shok:
Harvy
Holy shit...........shocked andsaddened. After going through allnhe went through.
Eric was part of the core group I met at my first Boone Rally in 2000. Part ofthe reason I kept coming back.
I wish I could say I knew Eric well, but this tragic news still saddens my heart. God bless his family and to watch over them in their time of need. RIP Eric
Not to dwell on it, but here are a couple stories about Eric.
http://wtvr.com/2015/11/25/reynolds-packaging-facility-accident/ (http://wtvr.com/2015/11/25/reynolds-packaging-facility-accident/)
http://wtvr.com/2015/11/27/eric-howard-mcclellan-dead-after-getting-caught-in-machine-at-reynolds-packaging-plant-machine/ (http://wtvr.com/2015/11/27/eric-howard-mcclellan-dead-after-getting-caught-in-machine-at-reynolds-packaging-plant-machine/)
Ride well, my friend.
This is very sad news to hear...tragic.
My sincere condolences to Eric's family and friends. I know a few of you here were very close to Eric.
I never met Eric personally, but we did exchange emails and parts over the years. One of the original FJer's from the Yahoo days....learned a lot from him....
Jake.....
I talker to Eric's wife to day ,she told me there will be a celebration of life on saturday 12/5/15 at Blileys funeral home from 2:00-4:00 pm. in Richmond va.
http://www.blileyfuneralhomes.com/about-us/staff-locations/chippenham/ (http://www.blileyfuneralhomes.com/about-us/staff-locations/chippenham/)
I have known Eric since 1996,we rode together before we had FJ's ,we worked together at the same place until I retired in 2002.
We camped together,rode together,worked together,we shared our thoughts with each other and we had ALOT OF FUN.
He went with me to the blueridge mountains last week end to help me winterize my place,we rode to the top of the mountain to a place where He,Frank and myself went to a lot and enjoyed laying in the grass and feel the wind blow it was a place we loved to be.
Eric told me he liked the place so much that when died he wanted his ashes to be spred there.
I considered him to be my best friend and I will miss him for the rest of my life.
Rest in peace Eric my friend.
Thank you Calvin....
Reminds me, I need to call some folks.
Thanks, guys. I had been keeping an eye on news from that area, but I couldn't find anything definitive.
Eric was one of the most pleasant people I met at the Boone rallies.
My condolences to his family.
Here is Eric.s obituary,it came out today.
http://www.blileyfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Eric-H.-McClellan/Richmond-VA/1567286 (http://www.blileyfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Eric-H.-McClellan/Richmond-VA/1567286)
I didn't know Eric but news of his passing has really touched me. He is obviously held in high regard by everyone who knew him, and this would make his premature passing that much harder to accept and make sense of. Life can be great, but can also be so cruel.
My sincere condolences go out to his family and everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.
Mere words can not express the sorrow I feel in the passing of my good friend Eric.
I think I can improve on his ob. "He was an avid biker" is not adequate. It should read "He was a well loved FJer."
"He will be dearly missed by those who knew him." Should read: "He will be dearly missed by EVERYONE who ever met him."
Godspeed my friend, I'll miss your smile and wit. The world is a colder place.
Quote from: racerman_27410 on November 25, 2015, 03:44:58 PM
Not really sure what happened as his wife Anita was very upset but i think something fell and crushed him at work.
She seemed to think that he expired shortly after the accident so we hope he didnt have to suffer a lot of pain.
I will update this thread after i get more details.... Eric left behind his Wife Anita and son Jim.
He was a good friend and will be missed.
Vaya con dios Eric
Frank
Damn. Hate to read such. He was a good man.
RIP Eric.
Thoughts and prayers to family.
Dan
Just heard the sad news on the other group. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends. I have pleasant memories of Eric from the rallies I attended and his many contributions to the group back in those days.
Bob M
What sad news. We met at a rally only briefly, but he was one of the group that helped me on-line with tips that made me keep my FJ. I am thankful for his help as well as those of you that jumped in back then and now. A true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Dean Hess
You can make donations to the Shenandoah National Park Restoring Trust in memory of Eric.
http://snptrust.org/program/restoring-native-habitat/ (http://snptrust.org/program/restoring-native-habitat/)
I am saddened, this is hard to believe. Last time I saw Eric I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway and we passed in opposite directions and I did not recognize him, He turned and ran me down just to say hello. He raved about his trip out west and how he was going to do it again. He did have an energy about him!
Godspeed friend.