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    marye
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    Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.

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  • Oroboros
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    And we will always be eternally grateful to Merl, for
    many reasons especially because after Garcia's diabetic coma in 1986 and Jerry's resulting loss of some of his ability to play guitar due to his impaired basic motor skills, Merl Saunders was the one that spent hours each day with the Jerry. Merl helped him 'relearn' guitar by running scales, jamming with him, and working Jerry out on with their familar jazz standards to help 'reconnect' Jerry's synapses and to get Garcia back into 'playin in the band". I caught Merl's a couple shows and he was nothing less that delightful and he looked like he was having more fun than we all were dancing at his gig. A true artist. Fare thee well, Merl, and thanks for everything. The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
  • johnman
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    damn
    truly a drag................the band in heaven is gettin' awfully big
  • iknowurider
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    R.I.P. Merl
    Peace to you & your loved ones....
  • GratefulGigi
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    May the four winds blow him safely home....
    R.I.P. "the godfather of jam bands," Merl Saunders
  • Hal R
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    RIP Merl
    You made so many people happy with your music and your spread your boundless joy to all of us to share with the world and make it a better place. You were a healer bringing back Jerry to his skills after illness and a man of compassion who brought attention to the beauty and destruction of the rainforest. You could boogie and you could play the tunes to soothe. You touched me deeply. For me your music and spirit will keep on keepin on as a part of me. Thank you Merl. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • free idea
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    a truly beautiful person
    met him once and he put the lie to the notionthat music stars had to have some kind of attitude. he was 100% sweet and beautiful. keep on keepin on merl, we'll keep rockin here on the rock ---'never prank a truster'----
  • cosmicbadger
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    Merl Saunders
    rest in peace! Let's hope he's jamming with Jerry in the stars!
  • cosmicbadger
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    Rest in Peace Merl Saunders
    Very sad about this. Let's hope he's jamming with Jerry in the stars! http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=15521
  • iknowurider
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    Welcome
    Stevie C, as you can see there are Truly Kind folks here.. sorry for your loss, we will bend our ears to listen. PEACE
  • stuman
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    stevie c
    so sorry to hear of such a loss ..
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Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.
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17 years 6 months
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Thank you for your kind words , and if anyone discovers they knew him share a story
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Recently My Friend and Boss passed away. His name is Ryan L. Black he's fom Lake Arrowhead California. He was a huge Fan of the Grateful Dead, Rat Dog and so on. He Died last tuesday, early morning, he lived excatly 33 years. I thought posting this here would be a good memorial for him. The community here will miss him as well as all of us who knew him well. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers and thoughts. KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Once a man and twice a child, Everything on earth is just for a while. Bob Marley
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Sounds quite tragic. Peace and lots of music for your departed friend and boss neondonnie********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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so sorry for your loss of a good friend, neondonnie, and peace 2 u2
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Peace and strength to Ryan Black, and to all those who hold him dear in their hearts. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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16 years 5 months
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Thank you for your kind words. They help. You guys are truly kindred spirits.
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He was a friend of mine (& many others) Cecil Francis Farmer, age 55, originally from the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota came to California in the early 70's, passed on April 11, 2008. He loved the Grateful Dead (we went to quite a few shows together) & many types of music. Cecil was great @ beading & making things. Always seemed to laugh. I would call him my "Faithful Indian Friend" He would call me "his faithful white woman" We were friends for over 30 years & shall be missed by many. Hope he's having fun in the Happy Hunting Grounds......love ya always from the Gypsy Cowgirl...............
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'It rolls all into one"........isn't that part of a GD song?? (Stella Blue?) DAD-it's been almost 21 years since you left (Jan.16, 1916-Aug. 1, 1987) then we (my son & brother) all went to Telluride, Co.. for the gigs-I hope you were watching............UNC-the favorite uncle in the family, known as "the King" (Dec. 18, 1906-June 4, 2004) You led a charmed life, worked hard & died peacefully in your sleep @ 97 yrs young..........NANA- Aug. 6, 1891-March, 1971-you were the coolest grandmother to have-slamming the newspaper on the table when the GD got busted in 1967-"here, here, here's the GD you like so much" & 3 years later watching the GD on TV when it was broadcasted live from Winterland (I think it was there) & I was too pregnant to go . THANKS family!!!.........Elanna Dawson-miss your accent & laugh ...........RP-it's been 30 years-you were the Deadhead cowboy to bring me to more shows when we were so young & father to my son, who inherited all your good stuff...........If the 4 winds haven't brought yall home, may they do it now.........love yall, glad you were in my life-the Gypsy Cowgirl-now go out & make it a great day..............
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17 years 1 month
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So much loss ,, my heart and positive vibes go out to all who has lost loved ones and freinds..... Peace be with you all .... The sun will shine again ...
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"the sun will shine in my backyard, someday"......aren't those the lyrcis??? it's shining anyways........Gypsy Cowgirl
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is where I always understood that the sun was shining, W.W. but perhaps you are right. ********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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The Sun will shine in my back door someday.The Sun will shine in my back door someday. March winds will blow all my troubles away.
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17 years 6 months
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especially today when it's cold, gray and gloomy in the Bay Area and I could stand a little of that sun in my back yard...
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17 years 4 months
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hey GD Mom-thanks-you would think I'd remember the lyrics, even @ that hour & after a long day & only hearing it a zillion times.....oh, well, memory loss is a horrible thing..........haha.............I'll start playing it for the grandkids......must've been thinking about the backyard..............xoxoo Gypsy Cowgirl...........
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16 years 4 months
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My cousin and loved one traveled with the show for awhile I believe. She was murdered in San Antonio last month. By an old roommate. She was a peaceful soul with nothing but love. I thought this should be said. Please pray for the soul!
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17 years 7 months
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I'm so sorry to hear this. Comfort to you and your family.
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Healing beams to you and yours and may you find comfort in your memories of your cousin. Peace, Gigi A box of rain will ease the pain, and love will see you through.
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16 years 4 months
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I lost my dad, you guys, and I need some happiness and good vibes. I'm Logan, and he took me to hundreds of shows when I was a little girl. I don't really know what else to say, except I keep worrying about living my life in the way he raised me and honoring him. Going to shows with him, hearing Robert Hunter's lyrics, listening to Jerry, it all taught me how to be a decent human being. I'm 31 now, I'm a social worker in LA, and I still need my Pop. I put the line from "Crazy Fingers" in his obituary and it was the hardest thing, especially after my mom wanted to put a line from "Ripple" in there...I said, No, that's the first thing people would expect, I always liked this line from "Crazy Fingers," so she let me. Thank you, in advance, for the warmth and kindness. Love. "Who can stop what must arrive now? Something new is waiting to be born Dark as the night you're still by my side, shining side..."
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Your Pop sounds like a wonderful person and a grate DadHealing vibes are heading your way... You picked a grate line from a grate song to honor your Pop, He must be smiling down on you :) Peace, Gigi
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losing one's dad is one of the hardest thing in life.........we played "Throwing Stones" when we lost our dad & then went to Telluride for the shows-after 21 years he's still missed, but lucky enough to have had a great dad-sounds like you did, too! & you were SO lucky he took you to shows! how cool is that???? " & love will see you through"......xoxo Gypsy Cowgirl
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17 years 4 months
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"One way or another, this darkness got to give"
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17 years 6 months
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I send you all the love, warmth, and kindness I can muster.What wonderful memories, keep them in your heart. He will always be there next to his beautiful daughter guiding you as he has always done. Keep that sparkle for him in your eyes. Quite sure of how proud of you he was. Take care,pk
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Love will see you through. "Where does the time go?"
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Btyant Brandenberg,,Aka "Stinky",,,Well I just got a phone call no one likes ta get,, my best friends and tour brother for many a years died out in Colorado this morning....Bryant you will be missed,, anyone that has a copper Jerry hand hanging in thier bus or car,, may know him as "Stinky",,(he did give up that nick a few years ago, something about meeting woman with the name stinky),, Bryant and I toured together for about 7 almost 8 years in the late 80's and 90's,, he is the one I ran off with to take a break from society when my marrage ended,, we spent about a yaer together then , I have not had the chance to see him in a few years,, but we always stayed in contact on the phone,, Bryant worked at Go Ask Alice in Brockport, NY for a short time but you may all know him ,,(if you were on Dead tour, or from Colorado area) as the guy that twist and wraped with copper,, he had been working with copper for almost 25 years,, Anyone that was close with him most likey has one of his Jerry hands,,, Bryant always said when he died he wanted his ashes spred at Cougar hot springs,, I will try and make sure that happens,,,, With a empty spot in my heart,, Mike
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Today would of been my sister's 50th birthday today! She passed away 1 year and 11 months ago after the fight of her life with breast cancer. She was my best friend and I miss her every minute! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU PATTY!! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN TELL! Dance with Jerry!
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Thank you, Mr. Newman... from salad dressing to hard boiled eggs, you were one of kind and an inspiration to me, as well an entire generation.
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17 years 5 months
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NOT PAUL NEWMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learning sad facts here on Deadnet. Am so sad to read GRTUD and johnman's posts that have to go research and mourn a bit. Sniff.********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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So sad :(
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17 years 4 months
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Oh, dear...what a loss for us all. When Paul Newman came to a GD show in NY-it was a stadium show (Giant Stadium, I think) We were standing behind the drums & I turned around & there was Paul Newman. Introduced myself & the 8 yr. old boy I was in charge of @ the time. The kid says "OH, you're the man on the salad dressing" Needless to say, Paul Newman laughed very hard & enjoyed the rest of the concert......later rented some movies like "Cool Hand Luke" so the boy could get a clue on who Paul Newman is/was ..................Gypsy Cowgirl
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Great Motown songwriter, Norman Whitfield was buried today. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and so much more from this man. Psychedelic soul kitchen cooker. It's a turn table night.
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17 years 1 month
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Otis Watts jr. Born , Febuary 6, 1928 Prosperity, South Carolina Passed away, October 5, 2008 Jacksonville, FL. Services held: Graveside October 8 2008 Uligy; God looked around his garden And He found an empty place, He them looked down upon this earth, And saw your tired face, He put his arms around you And lifted you to rest. God`s garden must be beutiful. He always takes the best. He knew you were suffering, He knew you were in pain. He knew you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered "Peace be thine". It broke our hearts to loose you But you did`nt go alone. For part of us went with you The day God called you home. Rest in Peace my dear freind . We will never forget you . Can`t forget ,, Paul Newman , the best of the best .. Rest in peace ..
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I forgot to mention that I did not write that .. His family wrote it .. it is beutiful they did a real nice job on everything .. Thank you .. Peace .. Stu ....
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John 14:27 (to you ;)Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Conforter, that he may abide with you forever;
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My sister Patty she passed away from breast cancer 2 years ago today on my birthday She was my sister and best friend. I miss her every minute of everyday. Peace to you Patty Dance with Jerry for me :)
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16 years 11 months
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losing someone you love..it hurts for a long time, i know........my thoughts and prayers are with you gigi....giant hugs!!
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17 years 6 months
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and I'm sorry your sister didn't get a chance to come hang with us.
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My thoughts are with you Gigi, the love of your sister is evident in everything you say and do,she seems to be always with you. Be happy this birthday knowing she is in you and a part of you and you are one and being one is beautiful.
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I lost one of my sisters 10 years ago to breast cancer. I know what you are feeling and i wish you grace, peace & love. My sister loved the Grateful Dead too. Just about every dance concert I list here she was with me, dancing too. Her son was 12 when we lost her and our third sister (Missy Motown) finished raising him. We three live together. He's a drummer. Peace to you and your family
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for all of your kind words!!Love & Peace, Gigi
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stevie c Losing a family member is hard for anyone to cope with, but losing a child is the worst. Watching your spouse cry under her breath, the siblings looking on in confusion, not even close to being able to understand. These are things a dad has to deal with after finding his sixteen year old son the next morning lifeless after an overdose while you were asleep. Not being there to help him in his time of need isn't the only thing regretable, but not seeing the problem in the first place. I know he loved life though, his music, guitar and friends. I really hope he is in that better place we all hope to see one day- God's golden shore, until then, I love you more than words can tell.......
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Nothing could be worseI am so very sorry for your loss, may you find peace and comfort in your memories of your son. Peace,Gigi
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Peace and tranquility for both of your lost loved ones. Just feel them in your heart-they're there with you for sure.********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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17 years 6 months
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i am so sorry for the loss your family is suffering, peace and love
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My thoughts are with you. TigerLilly said it best in her post. Peace If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
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such a profound blow, my heart goes out to you and your family. After losing a baby girl inbetween my two older boys, it is an ache that is numbing. And watching the angst of your wife and children only adds to the feeling of falling into an abyss. My hope is that there are gentle times ahead for you and yours, and that you can believe it possible. And Gigi, the joy that your sister brought with her is evident in you. My thoughts are with you as well. I am so sorry for your losses. Take care, Tim The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.