On June 22nd, my friend Andrew passed away due to complications from his Leukemia. I met Andrew back in ´00 when hosting my first ever 4WD trip to
Baja - The Sierra San Pedro Martir. Andrew came out with his wife Gretchen, and he brought his built CJ-7 along for the ride.
David K has been really nice of hosting my 1st ever event on his webpage.
This November, I am going to host the popular Baja Grande event with Gretchen riding along in my Jeep, as she is in the process of selling Andrew´s
CJ-7. It was Andrew´s dream to sell the CJ and build up a new ´07 Rubicon specially for this Baja Grande event. It´s too bad, because he would have
been a blast to have on this trip, but at least he was able to see the Copper Canyon in January and also San Felipe with our friend Baja Lou in April
before his time here on earth came to an end at only 62 yrs. of age. Andrew loved the Jeep brand so much, the word, ¨Jeep¨ was one of the last words
to come out of his mouth when speaking to Gretchen while in the hospital just before his death.
[Edited on 7-23-2007 by Ken Cooke]Ken Cooke - 7-15-2007 at 09:33 PM
More recently in early April...
Paula - 7-15-2007 at 10:01 PM
I'm sorry to hear of your friend Andrew's passing.
I hope the Baja Grande goes well for you and for Gretchen.Ken Cooke - 7-15-2007 at 10:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
I'm sorry to hear of your friend Andrew's passing.
I hope the Baja Grande goes well for you and for Gretchen.
Thank you, Paula. I really appreciate it. Poor Gretchen misses her husband, and I really miss my buddy. I will make sure the Baja Grande event is
something that really captures what Gretchen would have been able to experience with her husband - comeraderie with fellow Baja people...bajadock - 7-15-2007 at 10:40 PM
Have only a few big HASTA LUEGOS thus far. But, have attended a few services and memorials recently that were both tearful and joyful celebrations of
life. Seems like you and yours are celebrating your buddy's spirit in a wonderful tribute.
ALLTHEBEST!Mango - 7-15-2007 at 11:28 PM
I'm sorry to hear about your friend as well. Bless his soul.TMW - 7-16-2007 at 06:55 AM
Ken, sorry to here about your friend and what a wonderful thing for you to do. I'll bet he'll be looking down with a great big smile.Cypress - 7-16-2007 at 07:26 AM
Ken. Sorry for your loss.bacquito - 7-16-2007 at 09:27 AM
I too am sorry for the loss. Hope they have jeeps upstairs!!Ken Cooke - 7-16-2007 at 05:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
I too am sorry for the loss. Hope they have jeeps upstairs!!
Thanks everyone for the nice words. It is very much appreciated...Barry A. - 7-17-2007 at 08:00 AM
Ken-----
Dang it hurts when you lose a good friend!!! I applaud you for carrying on Andrew's tradition, and including Gretchen in the
activities----------those are the actions of a true friend.
Regarding your post on Lima, Peru: The streets of Lima are a never ending project------we need you back closer to home to do some REALLY NECESSARY
road building in La Turguesa arroyo so that your other friends can see new country from the relative safety and comfort of their "rigs".
Hurry home, amigo.David K - 7-17-2007 at 09:19 AM
Yah Ken... get back to the USA!
Be careful in Latin America... Remember what happened last time you were goofing off?
Ken Cooke - 7-22-2007 at 02:03 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Yah Ken... get back to the USA!
Be careful in Latin America... Remember what happened last time you were goofing off?
I was on the good side of the law on this last trip to Peru... See, I always make sure I have an extra 400 Pesos in my wallet when in Baja for the
Mordida. Down in Peru, the Paramilitary troops don't take Pesos, and I'm too far from home to call David K to come and help break me out of Jail in
the middle of the night!
bajalou - 7-22-2007 at 02:16 PM
Sorry to hear about Andrew, Ken.
Had a great time with you and them when you came to San Felipe, dinner and a ride in the desert. Andrew will be missed by many I'm sure.Ken Cooke - 7-22-2007 at 02:37 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Sorry to hear about Andrew, Ken.
Had a great time with you and them when you came to San Felipe, dinner and a ride in the desert. Andrew will be missed by many I'm sure.
Andrew had so much fun following your Baja Buggy up that sandy wash that day. It is hard to believe that he will no longer take part in any Baja
adventures. It's just too bad... Eli - 7-22-2007 at 03:01 PM
Ken, I just finished reading this thread one more time over, and I do send my most sincerest condolences in your friend Andrews passing on.
Although, I must admit, I did have to chuckle at his last words including JEEP.
When My Dad took his final journey to the other side of Life, his last words to me were- I'm getting in the jeep, turning it on, It's
snowing,........and than well, he was gone.
Who knows, surly, I don't, but just maybe Andrew hopped in Don Jimmy's waiting Jeep. Dad was always more than happy to give a Baja Pal a lift down the
road you know.
[Edited on 7-23-2007 by Eli]sylens - 7-22-2007 at 03:08 PM
touching words, eli.
my condolences to both of you for your losses, one recent, the other not so much. both painful, both being experienced with awesome perspective.
thank you both for sharing.Bedman - 7-23-2007 at 12:52 AM
Ken,
No words can patch the hole in your heart from a buddy gone.
His memory can be visited on those quiet days and nights on the penninsula. Lift a beer, stare at the sky and let him know you still remember.
with understanding and empathy,
BedmanKen Cooke - 7-23-2007 at 05:42 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bedman
Ken,
No words can patch the hole in your heart from a buddy gone.
His memory can be visited on those quiet days and nights on the penninsula. Lift a beer, stare at the sky and let him know you still remember.
with understanding and empathy,
Bedman
Andrew will get his moment of silence on my next trip into San Felipe. We'll all tip a beer in his favor as a symbol of all of the beer, tequila,
wine, etc. that this Englishman put away like he was at a pub back in Exeter, England. After spending time on the 4WD trail, he loved to party hard
either back in camp, or on the town. In this case, it was the Malecon of San Felipe, and also back at the hotel! Sharksbaja - 7-23-2007 at 12:20 PM
A real shame. Good on you Ken for the remembrances. You were a good friend. He'll be watching over Baja.Diver - 7-23-2007 at 01:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Good on you Ken for the remembrances. You were a good friend.
He was lucky to have you as a friend.
He will obviously be remembered well.
.
