January 30, 2021: Difference between revisions

From Gerald R. Lucas
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{{Large|My Friend Ken}} {{C19|313}}
{{Large|My Friend Ken}} {{C19|313}}


{{dc|I}} {{start|received the news today (thanks, Kelly) that my good friend from high school,}} [https://www.poolefuneralhome.net/obituary/Kenneth-Richard-Turner Ken Turner, has died unexpectedly]. I don’t have any more details, but he was my age—much too young. Much too young. He was a kind and generous soul—liked by everyone. I know his life had difficulties, being the gay son of a minister, but when I think of Ken, I see the impish jokster smiling devilishly about something. And I never heard him complain. He even maintained his faith, something that must have been challenging for him. He and I used to laugh and laugh. We were tight, both trumpet players—wannabe alphas in a band geek world. He was the better musician; I was only first-chair because Ken was the drum major. We shared that duty in concert and jazz band. He ''loved'' eighties music, especially Yes. I was supposed to go see Duran Duran with him and Kelly back in 2017, but I was unable to make it as we were vacationing in Florida. I deeply regret that now. I wish we had kept in-touch outside of the random Facebook post. I never met his partner. Man, these times are tough.
{{dc|I}} {{start|received the news today (thanks, Kelly) that my good friend from high school,}} [https://www.poolefuneralhome.net/obituary/Kenneth-Richard-Turner Ken Turner, has died unexpectedly]. I don’t have any more details, but he was my age—much too young. Much too young. He was a kind and generous soul—liked by everyone. I know his life had difficulties, being the gay son of a minister, but when I think of Ken, I see the impish jokster smiling devilishly about something. And I never heard him complain. He even maintained his faith, something that must have been challenging for him.  
 
When together, we were usually messing around; laughing a some inside joke or making our band director’s day a bit more difficult. We were tight, both trumpet players—what’s the band-geek equivalent of alphas—that’s what we were: I was band president and he was drum major. He was the better musician; I was only first-chair because Ken was the drum major. We shared that duty in concert and jazz band. He ''loved'' eighties music, especially bands like Yes, Asia, and GTR (remember them?). I was supposed to go see Duran Duran with him and Kelly back in 2017, but I was unable to make it as we were vacationing in Florida. I deeply regret that now. I wish we had kept in-touch outside of the random Facebook post; he lived 100 miles away in Marietta, for goodness’ sake. I never met his partner Jason, but my heart goes out to him. Man, these times are tough.


Rest in peace, my friend. I will always remember you fondly, even if you put mayo on your bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits.  
Rest in peace, my friend. I will always remember you fondly, even if you put mayo on your bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits.  

Latest revision as of 08:37, 1 February 2021

My Friend Ken covid-19: day 313 | US: GA | info | act

I received the news today (thanks, Kelly) that my good friend from high school, Ken Turner, has died unexpectedly. I don’t have any more details, but he was my age—much too young. Much too young. He was a kind and generous soul—liked by everyone. I know his life had difficulties, being the gay son of a minister, but when I think of Ken, I see the impish jokster smiling devilishly about something. And I never heard him complain. He even maintained his faith, something that must have been challenging for him.

When together, we were usually messing around; laughing a some inside joke or making our band director’s day a bit more difficult. We were tight, both trumpet players—what’s the band-geek equivalent of alphas—that’s what we were: I was band president and he was drum major. He was the better musician; I was only first-chair because Ken was the drum major. We shared that duty in concert and jazz band. He loved eighties music, especially bands like Yes, Asia, and GTR (remember them?). I was supposed to go see Duran Duran with him and Kelly back in 2017, but I was unable to make it as we were vacationing in Florida. I deeply regret that now. I wish we had kept in-touch outside of the random Facebook post; he lived 100 miles away in Marietta, for goodness’ sake. I never met his partner Jason, but my heart goes out to him. Man, these times are tough.

Rest in peace, my friend. I will always remember you fondly, even if you put mayo on your bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits.