I hadn't posted about this til now, but one of my two best friends died in early November. He had polypsythemia vera, and it was under control for years, but last May, he had a knee implant, and they therorize it did something to his bone marrow, he ceased all red blood cell production and went from feeling weak to dead in two weeks, from acute anemia and organ failure. His wife and youngest son died about 5 years ago, and just last year, he reconnected with a woman who had been couple friends with he and his wife, whose husband had died a few years back, and at age 83, he moved to her ranch in Grass Valley CA. I've never seen him happier, and was glad for them both. They headed off cross country, having adventures the whole way, and had six weeks of bliss together before he got sick and died. He had a huge car show/friend circle here in Houston, and only his sister knew, so imagine my shock when I found out from her. He wanted to keep it private, and if you knew him, you'd understand.
I met Gary in 1992 when I was at David Taylor Cadillac-Buick, when he brought a sick Grand National in for service. We just clicked and were friends since. We drank an ocean of beer, and ate an entire feedlot worth of steers in the form of BBQ, and went to enough car shows that the awards would cover the Great Wall... and now he's gone. My ex wife used to say "Gary is 75, looks 45, and acts 15!" and his wife would just shake her head and smile!
My son has known him since he was a baby, he went with me to the service and I held together very well. We then went to a hole in the wall BBQ joint where Gary and I had eaten many times and thats where I broke down. I had to go out into the parking lot for while. My son was a bit shaken up, he's never seen me lose my composure ever. I cannot tell you all how I've struggled with this loss.
Gary loved white cars, and always joked abot other cars being the "wrong color". My El Camino is going to be white, and I have ordered a white die cut vinyl row of letters about 1/2 high for the back glass that says A White Car For Gary.
None of you except for Alan F knew him, but I can assure you that he was our kind of guy! And speaking of Alan F, I sent him a very strongly worded e-mail forbidding him to EVER fucking die!
Thanks for enduring the long read.
RIP Gary Bartlett, 6-20-41 to 11-2-24, you'll ride with me always.
I met Gary in 1992 when I was at David Taylor Cadillac-Buick, when he brought a sick Grand National in for service. We just clicked and were friends since. We drank an ocean of beer, and ate an entire feedlot worth of steers in the form of BBQ, and went to enough car shows that the awards would cover the Great Wall... and now he's gone. My ex wife used to say "Gary is 75, looks 45, and acts 15!" and his wife would just shake her head and smile!
My son has known him since he was a baby, he went with me to the service and I held together very well. We then went to a hole in the wall BBQ joint where Gary and I had eaten many times and thats where I broke down. I had to go out into the parking lot for while. My son was a bit shaken up, he's never seen me lose my composure ever. I cannot tell you all how I've struggled with this loss.
Gary loved white cars, and always joked abot other cars being the "wrong color". My El Camino is going to be white, and I have ordered a white die cut vinyl row of letters about 1/2 high for the back glass that says A White Car For Gary.
None of you except for Alan F knew him, but I can assure you that he was our kind of guy! And speaking of Alan F, I sent him a very strongly worded e-mail forbidding him to EVER fucking die!
Thanks for enduring the long read.
RIP Gary Bartlett, 6-20-41 to 11-2-24, you'll ride with me always.