Say A Prayer For Flyin Freddie! R.I.P.

[John McMahon]

Condolences to Freddie's family...and God Speed to the funny man.....he's one in a million!

I've lost many in my family due to cancer....including my father. A portion of this poem by Dylan Thomas, is on his gravestone in Arlingtion National Cemetary. It feels appropriate to share it with Freddie....

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[maxum_101]

So Sad reading this... I dont know Freddie and never had the pleasure in meeting him, he truly sounds like a great man, RIP Freddie.
To His Wife and twin Boys you will be in my prayers.

Could someone put up a pic of Freddie? would be great to put a face to this great man.

RIP

[trularin]

OMG!

I had more than one occation to drink with Freddie.

He will surely be missed.

[terry lee]

Any update on Freddie?

[Dwight]

I don't know what to say?????

Freddie was one of the main events at the DVSFs for years.

We will miss him.

Dwight

[gsharapa]

Doug Reed is over visiting this weekend so I'm sure we'll get an update when he returns but based on some of the posts I'd say things do not look good. Tonight met with 3 other Cobra buddie couples for dinner in down town Plano Texas and had a few 12 year old Scotches in toast to our friend Freddie. God Bless our friend...........

[Pman1961]

Talking to Brian this evening...him, Ron, Doug and Glenn went to visit Fred for a little this evening. The Cobra guys/friends are really stepping in helping his wife out with many issues dealing with this situation. Brian said Fred was in higher spirits and was up and walking around so they just had a short visit and left early so that Fred's wife and him could have some time for themselves. I'm really proud of Ron and Brian who are long time friends of Freds. Fred is really blessed.

[hey,littlecobra]

I am very saddened to hear this news. Freddie's boys are the same age as my youngest- I cannot imagine their turmoil. Freddie contributed to my unbelievably awesome Cobra experience immeasurably. I will miss you! HLC
(can't remember how to upload photos so if you want to see a priceless pic with Fred/doug/me you'll have to go to my gallery) :/ lol

[snakebittexan]

There's a story about a young lady that was fighting a losing battle with cancer and she asked that she be buried with a fork in her hand. The family pastor asked why and she explained that every time her mom was serving desert after dinner her dad would lean over and whisper "keep your fork, there's something even better coming." if worse comes to worse keep your fork Freddie. May God bless you and your family.

[gsharapa]

Here you go Kristen....

[Ron Roberts]

Freddie, Is a colorful guy and was always thete for anyone in need, my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, We will miss him.

[jwoodard]

That picture of Freddie, Kristin and Doug is priceless because it embodies the spirit with which we all know Freddie. It was taken at one of the TCC annual meets in Austin, this overlooking Lake Travis. He is always a joy to be around and has an endless amount of energy to lift the spirits of those around him.
God Bless you my brother in your difficult times, we love you and are praying for you and your family.

[cobrakidz]

Never met the man but it looks like he is very well liked here----I'll say a prayer for his family.

[FIA Mike]

God bless you, Freddie.

FIA Mike

[Joe Wicked]

Never had the pleasure of meeting him in person but he was always friendly and helpful to me online. He always had words of encouragement for others.

[gsharapa]

Here is an update from Doug Reed on Freddie from his visit this weekend..
__________________________________________________ ____________

Drove up to Memphis and saw Freddie Saturday around 6, as he has just finished dialysis and draining fluids. His wife Karen said he had a good day. The liver is his problem, but tranplanting is not an option, as the doctors say the anti-rejection drugs will onlu fuel his cancel cells throughout his body. He is quite jaundice and yellow, and quite somber in his attitude, as we should expect. We had a good visit and I let him know how much his Cobra Group of friends love and miss him. I personnally will rejoice in what he has left me, those memories of him being a perfect Southern gentleman, when appropriate, and then him telling some seriously detailed, hilarious Jokes and stories. He is irreplacable, as I have never met a more colorful, outgoing, friendly person. He has two twin boys 11 years old, and they are working on telling them the truth. It's really a seriously sad situation. I feel cheated that I hadn't gotten my "fill" of Freddie, but am fortunate he came my way. I'm sure he will meet up with my brother and continue where they left off.

The outlook is not good, but he seems to not be in any extreme pain at this time. He's surrounded by all his loved ones and that is certainly comforting. Ron says he has a **** attitude at times, and Ron thinks the meds are affecting him. I feel anybody in his situation certainly would be mad at the World for the hand he has been dealt, and being abbrasive at times is certainly understandable.

I feel better having seen him and seeing his smile when he saw me. I know we truly love each other, and that means the World to me. I wished him God Speed and asked God to Bless him on his Journey to Eternity.

He will be missed, but not forgotten,

I have not gotten on CC lately, so pass this info on if you like. All his friends need to know that he is comfortable and dealing well with his situation.

Certainly a big bump in my road at this point, it hurts to know he won't be there with that smile and margareta machine!!!

Doug Reed

Reed Performance Motorsports
21033 Waterfront east dr
Maurepas LA 70449

[MidOHasp]

I haven't been on ClubCobra in years... but had to pay my own respects. As fun as the drag racing, autocrossing, and other stuff always was in Columbus and London, the thing I looked forward to the most every Spring was after all the activities were done, moseying 3-4 hotel rooms over, filling a glass from the industrial margarita machine Freddie brought with him every year, and bullsh!++ing with him.

Colorful, generous, absolutely positively full of life.

I've met a lot of great people through Cobras, but Freddie is one of the best.

[southernfriedcj]

I will have a boat drink in your honor tonight Freddie.

[hey,littlecobra]

Praying for comfort every day, Freddie. Loveya hlc

[Tony Radford]

Survivor
By Tony Radford

The story starts with racing hearts in a room with lots of chairs
where patients wait, anticipate, so little talk – just stares.

On the wall, a clock has stalled and time is standing still,
a silent room, with thoughts of gloom the mind begins to fill.

It finally came, they called her name and led us to a space,
“Please take a seat,” the doc would greet with a kind but solemn face.

The doctor spoke with a stethoscope and clipboard in his hand,
“The tests are back, it’s now a fact - we must devise a plan.”

“Results attest it’s in your breast and we must remove it fast,
to improve your fate, we’ll operate – it’s the only way you’ll last.”

A surgeon’s knife will save your life, some glands may have to go,
though they appear to be all clear, there’s just no way to know.

Some special rules and high-tech tools will help along the way,
the treatments here will last a year, a price it’s best you pay.

The type of cell and stage as well will tell us what to do,
a menu-long of drugs so strong, we’ll mix one just for you.

So here’s the date, you can’t be late, with more unlucky souls
we have for you a bag or two just hanging from a pole.

Here you’ll lay for half a day unless something goes wrong,
if you react, it’s just a fact – you’ll be here all day long.

The needles found in the chemo-lounge are long and very thick.
We’ll add a port so the pain is short, you’ll only feel a prick.

We have some crème to make it seem the pain is not severe,
a little dab, a forceful jab, perhaps a silent tear.

No one knows how things will go, some side-effects aren’t known,
but be aware, you’ll lose your hair as history has shown.

Chemo made one’s bones degrade so now we have a cure,
just pick a spot for a monthly shot, more pain you must endure.

For safety’s sake, we’ll radiate to the point some parts will glow,
but have no fear, we’ll all stand clear and see those cells don’t grow.

And so it goes, too many know the sequence of events,
that painful trip from knife to drip, the sutures, scars and dents.

The path is blazed by every age – all heroes in the fight,
they all endure in hopes a cure is there – somewhere in sight.

With will and strength they go the length – to tread so many days,
the needle pricks, the feeling sick, the poison, cuts and rays.

They want to live, to stay and give, not leave their loves behind,
to fight the curse they will traverse the challenges they find.

All will fight with all their might though some won’t make it through,
but in the end, the strength they send will help the ones that do.

So when you’re out and going about your day – just be aware,
chances are that where you are - you’ll find survivors there.

There they’ll be, but you won’t see a person feeling down,
a scarf that’s tied up top might hide a smooth and shiny crown.

But what’s up there instead of hair should be a sign of pride,
of courage shown – not likely known like the pain they keep inside.

I know well, one heart that swells when I might chance to see,
a lady fair without her hair, in a way that shouldn’t be.

It takes its toll on young and old – the limits very few,
it even strikes our little tikes who’ve just made their debut.

A man, a child, statistics filed confirm it’s on the rise,
an industry has grown to be of such enormous size.

The money’s spent to circumvent effects of this disease
and find a cure that’s so obscure, to bring it to its knees.

No one knows why the number grows, it’s up to one in three,
some folks think it’s what we drink and eat that holds the key.

Despite the cause, take time to pause and go the extra mile,
show you care but don’t you stare – just give a nod and smile.