Highs & Lows...

[racerrad8]

I am just need to vent a little as I have had a long day...

After having a great time at the rally, meeting great people, eating too much good food, enjoying the company of those who enjoy the FJ for what it is, a great motorcycle; I experienced the other end of the spectrum on the way home yesterday.

Last week when I was getting ready for the rally I came across a box of old parts and realized it was from a friend and customers race car that he did not want to take after picking up his race car last year. I remember thinking to myself at that time I needed to call him as he had colon surgery last year at Christmas time and in our communications since then he kept telling me he was doing well and wanted to be ready for the 2011 racing season.

Needless to say, time flies by and I come across the box, which puts him back in my mind to contact. Well, since we were out in Hayfork which has no current technology and no form of email or cellular communication; life was bliss.

Once I got close to Red Bluff and the cell service resumed, I went to checking my emails and such and came across an email from my friend Jack's girl friend; Suzie. She basically told me the reason he hasn't called me was due to the ongoing medical issues he has been experiencing and they were informed late Wednesday that the cancer they thought they had taken care of has now spread to his stomach and beyond.

I called her on my way down the highway and made the detour to travel to the bay area where he was in the hospital with the condition of, "terminal cancer". I got to the hospital and my wife and I took the elevator up to see him. I entered the room and he was sleeping and I was shocked at his condition. His deceased wife's sister was there and immediately asked, "Are you Randy." I told her yes and she was given "specific" instructions to wake my friend Jack because when he heard I was on the way, he wanted to see me.

As she was waking Jack another couple walked in and I did not know who they were. As Jack awoke and got his bearings he looked at the other man in the room and somewhat acknowledged him, he then turned his head to where I was standing and his eyes lit up and he said "Randy's here!"

It was at this point the other man introduced himself as Jack's brother. I introduced myself and after a couple of minutes excused myself from the room as Jack was more interested in conversing with me that his brother. I wanted to make sure that Jack's family came first.

After some time my wife and I went back into the room and Jack again turned his undivided attention to me and was conversing. We talked for quite sometime, but when he began to get emotional that is when I lost it as well and again had to leave the room.

You see my friend Jack who came to race his car in 1997 made sacrifices to be able to race. He was a racer years prior but a heart condition required a transplant and he had to stop. I went and raced in Lakeport, Ca. back in 1996 and Jack saw my race my car and we spoke in the pits after the races for at least an hour. I did not know about his condition at the time, but do remember the man telling me, "I am going to get one of these cars."

I did not know his name at the time, so when he came to the first race, I did not know who he was since I speak to hundreds or people every year after the races. The one thing I do recall the first time I heard his name is that it was associated with "heart transplant recipient" and I expressed my concern for his safety as well as the other racers.

I remember our second conversation and that is when I can say the Jack Humphrey's became my friend. After many years of not electing for the heart transplant because he just wanted to live out life, he saw us race that night. His conversation with me that night in 1996 was the driving force to have the transplant completed in the hope that he could race and he did it.

He went from a racer to a friend and a customer just as I believe the same with all that I met this weekend and beyond, because putting the name to the face means a lot to me and I generally care about everyone as a person and friend before a customer.

Well, Jack celebrated his 15 years of success from the heart transplant the past April and unfortunately his body has again failed him.

I went back in to tell my friend I would stop by and see him next week as we would again be in the area racing this upcoming weekend. He began to cry and was unable to speak. Heck writing these word now, I have tears in my eyes as well.

I am going to stop by and see him probably for the last time next weekend as he is headed home tomorrow and will live out his final days at home under Hospice care. I was just as emotional as he was at this point and all I could hope for my friend was the chance I could see him again next week and all I could get out was "Godspeed".

I spoke to Suzie this morning and she said that Jack could only speak to the fact that I came by to visit him yesterday, and he has been all I can really think about today as well. She said that Jack is hopeful he will be able to see me next week, and by her own words nobody really knows how long he has; days, weeks or months.

One thing that stands out in our conversation yesterday before the emotions overran both of us was him telling me how much he missed going to the races and being a part of something bigger than him.

In my thoughts today is the fact that Jack himself was bigger than the racing, he made a life threatening decision so that he could be a part of something so small like racing, but he has overwhelm me with his spirit and desire.

Again, all I can really say is; Godspeed Jack

[Flynt]

I am just need to vent a little as I have had a long day...

After having a great time at the rally, meeting great people, eating too much good food, enjoying the company of those who enjoy the FJ for what it is, a great motorcycle; I experienced the other end of the spectrum on the way home yesterday.

Last week when I was getting ready for the rally I came across a box of old parts and realized it was from a friend and customers race car that he did not want to take after picking up his race car last year. I remember thinking to myself at that time I needed to call him as he had colon surgery last year at Christmas time and in our communications since then he kept telling me he was doing well and wanted to be ready for the 2011 racing season.

Needless to say, time flies by and I come across the box, which puts him back in my mind to contact. Well, since we were out in Hayfork which has no current technology and no form of email or cellular communication; life was bliss.

Once I got close to Red Bluff and the cell service resumed, I went to checking my emails and such and came across an email from my friend Jack's girl friend; Suzie. She basically told me the reason he hasn't called me was due to the ongoing medical issues he has been experiencing and they were informed late Wednesday that the cancer they thought they had taken care of has now spread to his stomach and beyond.

I called her on my way down the highway and made the detour to travel to the bay area where he was in the hospital with the condition of, "terminal cancer". I got to the hospital and my wife and I took the elevator up to see him. I entered the room and he was sleeping and I was shocked at his condition. His deceased wife's sister was there and immediately asked, "Are you Randy." I told her yes and she was given "specific" instructions to wake my friend Jack because when he heard I was on the way, he wanted to see me.

As she was waking Jack another couple walked in and I did not know who they were. As Jack awoke and got his bearings he looked at the other man in the room and somewhat acknowledged him, he then turned his head to where I was standing and his eyes lit up and he said "Randy's here!"

It was at this point the other man introduced himself as Jack's brother. I introduced myself and after a couple of minutes excused myself from the room as Jack was more interested in conversing with me that his brother. I wanted to make sure that Jack's family came first.

After some time my wife and I went back into the room and Jack again turned his undivided attention to me and was conversing. We talked for quite sometime, but when he began to get emotional that is when I lost it as well and again had to leave the room.

You see my friend Jack who came to race his car in 1997 made sacrifices to be able to race. He was a racer years prior but a heart condition required a transplant and he had to stop. I went and raced in Lakeport, Ca. back in 1996 and Jack saw my race my car and we spoke in the pits after the races for at least an hour. I did not know about his condition at the time, but do remember the man telling me, "I am going to get one of these cars."

I did not know his name at the time, so when he came to the first race, I did not know who he was since I speak to hundreds or people every year after the races. The one thing I do recall the first time I heard his name is that it was associated with "heart transplant recipient" and I expressed my concern for his safety as well as the other racers.

I remember our second conversation and that is when I can say the Jack Humphrey's became my friend. After many years of not electing for the heart transplant because he just wanted to live out life, he saw us race that night. His conversation with me that night in 1996 was the driving force to have the transplant completed in the hope that he could race and he did it.

He went from a racer to a friend and a customer just as I believe the same with all that I met this weekend and beyond, because putting the name to the face means a lot to me and I generally care about everyone as a person and friend before a customer.

Well, Jack celebrated his 15 years of success from the heart transplant the past April and unfortunately his body has again failed him.

I went back in to tell my friend I would stop by and see him next week as we would again be in the area racing this upcoming weekend. He began to cry and was unable to speak. Heck writing these word now, I have tears in my eyes as well.

I am going to stop by and see him probably for the last time next weekend as he is headed home tomorrow and will live out his final days at home under Hospice care. I was just as emotional as he was at this point and all I could hope for my friend was the chance I could see him again next week and all I could get out was "Godspeed".

I spoke to Suzie this morning and she said that Jack could only speak to the fact that I came by to visit him yesterday, and he has been all I can really think about today as well. She said that Jack is hopeful he will be able to see me next week, and by her own words nobody really knows how long he has; days, weeks or months.

One thing that stands out in our conversation yesterday before the emotions overran both of us was him telling me how much he missed going to the races and being a part of something bigger than him.

In my thoughts today is the fact that Jack himself was bigger than the racing, he made a life threatening decision so that he could be a part of something so small like racing, but he has overwhelm me with his spirit and desire.

Again, all I can really say is; Godspeed Jack

Thanks for that Randy.  I lost both my parent to cancer...  Dad quickly, but Mom fought it for 14 months and my last memory of her is the big smile she had on her face when we were with her and lots of family on one of her last days (also in Hospice care in her home).  She never gave in and would tell anyone that asked that everything was going to be fine.  That kind of spirit (and that of your friend Jack) always leaves me in awe.  I hope I have the courage to inspire others when my time comes. 

Take solace in this if you can...  Jack will win the fight with cancer in that he will kill it as it kills him.  Godspeed Jack!

Frank

[carsick]

Compassion for others is what makes us human. Thank you for the reminder Randy.

[FJmonkey]

Wow, makes me wonder if I or any of us made a connection like that during the rally. You never know when and and how we meet and connect at such a deep and heartfelt level. Thanks for sharing your more personal moments for us, good to reflect after meeting everyone. The rain may have taken our ride time....But we spent more time connecting....

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Randy,
Thanks for the post. The day prior to leaving for the rally I learned by brother (he rides too) has about a year. I did not mention this during the rally, with one exception to Steve on the ride up, because I did not want to lose it. But that time to myself at night was trying. I had doubts about going but was sure that my brother would  be pissed if I didn't. Sounds like your friend grabbed at some good times when he could. So did my brother. He could write a book. Riding and crashing bikes and cars. Parchute jump put him in the hospital. Won a $100 bet on saying he could get his 62 Ford Falcon up to 100 MPH. He pushed it off a cliff in the San Gabriel mountains. Hell he was hit by a train when he tried to beat it across a bridge over Rosemead blvd. I did n't say he was smart.  Appreciate your friends and family we don't know how much time we have together.
Mike

[racerrad8]

I just wanted to posts, that my friend Jack W. Humphrey passed away early yesterday afternoon.

I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

Randy - RPM

[rktmanfj]

I just wanted to posts, that my friend Jack W. Humphrey passed away early yesterday afternoon.

I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

Randy - RPM

Sorry for your loss, Randy.

Randy T
Indy

[tqmx1]

Randy, The important part is you got to see him when he still knew who you were. It was one of his last fond memories pain and all.

That was a super move on your part.

Kim

[big r]

Sorry to hear,Randy. I lost my mother to the dreaded cancer 7 years ago and it was just like losing a best friend. Gotta keep the chin and soldier on. Cheers Randy

[Harvy]

I just wanted to posts, that my friend Jack W. Humphrey passed away early yesterday afternoon.

I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

Randy - RPM

Sad news Randy. Old friends are irreplaceable, but new friends like you have here sure help.

Harvy

[RichBaker]

I just wanted to posts, that my friend Jack W. Humphrey passed away early yesterday afternoon.

I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

Randy - RPM

Very sorry for your loss, Randy.... His family and yours are in my thoughts.

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Remember him for the good times and take some comfort that you got to spend some time with him during his last days with us.

[Pat Conlon]

That was a great tribute Randy, Godspeed Jack!   

[Mark Olson]

Randy , sorry for the loss of your friend .

remember the good times and smile.

[andyb]

Sad for you Randy.  Carry on.