| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
My good friend Ed Nabors passed away today. He accompanied me and another great friend and motorhead down to Barber to learn about and ride the new 1125R. Even in his 70's he was faster than me. A founder of the Knoxville BMWROA, he will be sorely missed by many. I dearly hope all of youn's know someone like Ed. http://www.bmwrok.org/ed-nabors-award.html http://www.bmwrok.org/club-history.html Enjoy, ride, and remember the great ones. | ||
| Etennuly |
I met Ed through the Smoky Mountain HD dealership where I bought my Uly from Brad. Ed was an excellent fellow. I was fortunate enough to get to speak with him several times and ride with him a couple of times. It seems that on many of my trips to the dealership he and I were the only idiots who would ride in during a snow event or cold rain storm. He sure loved to be riding a motorcycle, anywhere, anytime. He had told me about his joy to be able to live and ride in East Tennessee. My pegs might be down for Ed, but my head will be up. I hope to be riding as long and as well as he had. Cheers to a good, positive, happy man. Thanks for the inspiration Ed.  | ||
| 86129squids |
I went back and took the time to re-read the history of the BMWROK... it has sunk in that Ed knew and could count among his friends some truly great people, all hardcore riders, and reading that TWO had become a focal point year after year just proves the point that one may aspire to lead a good life- Ed Nabors DID it, and will remain my best example and inspiration to do so myself. Vern, as a matter of fact, IIRC his last camping trip (tents, as is proper) was with me and you, by the creek at TWO. (Maybe you didn't make that one, but Ed knew the choicest spot by the water, to help drown out everyone's noise and snoring.) I quickly got used to calling his cel, going straight to VM, and then a few weeks later he'd call back, having been on his beloved VFR800 the whole dang time, weather be damned or praised. Up until just last year, that was his life, literally riding most any day in his retirement. I remember our conversation when he had decided to stop riding and sell his high-mileage but well-maintained Viffer due to his COPD advancing... he truly LOVED riding, and the lifestyle it provided him. Ed accompanied myself and Megan Draven as we three rode from Maryville to Leeds, AL for a day and a half session of learning about and track riding the 1125R there- we had dinner later that evening with Tripp Nobles at Ruth's Chris. THAT was a great dinner, with great company, and truly two of the best days of my life... of course we toured the entire Barber Museum the second day before coming back home. His physical infirmities did him in, way too early even in his 70's... but one could NEVER suppress his spirit and good will. If I get to ride half as much as Ed, and live to be half as good a man as he, I'll have done very well indeed. (Message edited by 86129squids on December 04, 2012) | ||
| Pwnzor |
Great tribute, thanks for posting. Ride in peace! | ||
| 86129squids |
Gonna bump this once or twice- Ed's funeral will be held at Berry Funeral Home in South Knoxville this coming Saturday. The obit mentions that in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local animal shelter. Ed Nabors, truly a class act, even after passing on... | ||
| 86129squids |
Bump. Riding in tomorrow, for the visitation, and the service, on the GL. I once rode faster bikes with Ed Nabors. These past few days, I've had conversations with folks... This one ride around the blue marble that we all get, one good ride, knowing the folks Ed knew... I gotta do better, gotta do my damn best. | ||
| Dcc46 |
R.I.P | ||
| 86129squids |
Rode my GL to the memorial service yesterday- there were several motorcycles there, including a BMW sidecar rig driven by my friends at Dual Sport Touring- also, a '47 Cadillac. I'd forgotten Ed was into cars too (his family owned a dealership in Nashville), specifically autocross types- heck, even carting! An Air Force veteran, trumpeter, photographer, foster "dad" for countless dogs, father, grandpa, and loving husband. And, way down the list, my friend. Got to see many other mutual friends and hardcore riders before it was all done- truly a celebration of life! The minister mentioned one of Ed's favorite sayings: "Ride Til You Rot!"... and he lived by that maxim. I'll try to do the same. |
