Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Donnie Ray (what I always called him for the 37 years of our friendship) was one of a select breed of men; honest as the day is long, hardworking, there whenever someone needed a hand, loved to laugh, silly and a prankster. Like the time that Steve Jones and he slightly jacked the rear axle of my 74 Nova off the ground while I was at a graduation party next door. The tire was in the grass and it was just enough for it not to make contact. Could not have worked out better for those two; because I left the party mad. Jumped in my car, threw it in reverse and hit the gas, only to go no where. I got out and walked completely around my car. No seeing anything, I once again I jumped in and hit the gas. Once again, I went no where. I then looked in my side mirror to see Steve and Donnie Ray laughing to the point of tears.
Donnie Ray was not out to impress anyone. He wore his bell bottom Levi's in the 70's and continued wearing them even when they went out of style because "he" liked them. I even took him clothes shopping to try to catch him up only to no avail. I do not remember when he moved past the bell bottoms.
Some of the things that makes me think of Donnie Ray:
Cotton Eye Joe. Donnie Ray and I took line dancing lessons together back in the 80's.
Hostess Ding Dongs. He was crushed when Hostess went out of business. We tried to find replacements but it was just not the same. He would always share them with is little Kalyann.
A "round" layered chocolate cake under a glass dome (he would not eat a square or rectangle cake). He said that it was all about how good it looked.
Eagles, he even had a handpainted eagle put on his Harley. When I hear "On Eagle's Wings", I can not help but smile (and right now, cry).
Maroon Honda Gold Wings, I rode many times on his before he traded it in for his Harley.
Pepsi cola. About the only thing I recall him drinking.
1968 Camaro. His friends (and some guys that he did not know) rallied to redo the Camaro that he purchased a few years back and had never gotten around to fixing up. It now sits in his garage complete with his favorite color royal blue and 2 white racing strips across the hood. The license plate on the front reads "Fly like an eagle". He did get a chance to do a burnout! That baby rumbles so sweet!
Gatlinburg. The multiple group trips that our tight knit group of friends took to Gatlinburg. Of course, it was always a motorcycle trip.
Wednesday nights. A few years back, our group of friends used to get together weekly on Wednesday nights and go out to eat. But as life happens that too drifted to less frequent get togethers. That was until this past September when we all pitched in every Wednesday night up until Christmas to have dinner at his house so he could join us with is energy failing.
Donnie Ray called my sister, Gail, and me his sisters. We have been friends so long and so close that we were no longer just friends but family. I could not have been blessed with a better brother!
I love you Donnie Ray and my hearts aches that I will not get to spend the rest of my life with you! -Myra
