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As you look up at the stars tonight, trust that one of the brightest of them is being lit up by the spirit of a recently departed Victory Rider who left us all too soon.
Tim Early of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away due to complications from pneumonia on November 9, 2007. He was 51.
Tim was VMC member #635 and had been a member since March 2003. He had owned two Victorys over the years, a V92C and most recently a Touring Cruiser Deluxe.
He loved riding, especially with his wife Beth, who survives him. He was quick with a smile, a joke and a laugh. He loved the outdoors, cherished his California roots – especially his family and his beloved Oakland Raiders – and he loved the beauty of life in Colorado. He and Beth had a lot of good times on the road on their Victorys, making new friends and reconnecting with old buddies.
If there’s a silver lining to Tim’s all-too-soon passing, it’s that he got to spend some time this summer riding with his brother Matt, a fellow Victory Rider. They connected at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Victory Freedom Rally and spent several days riding together.
Matt has been gracious enough to allow us to share some thoughts he sent in an e-mail:
“Tim was a great brother and a good friend… Tim loved Colorado and riding in the mountains. I'm glad that my wife Laurie and I were able to attend the Rocky Mountain Victory Freedom Rally two years ago and the one this last summer. We all had a blast and Tim loved the opportunity to show us around and take us on some other rides through the mountains after the rally.”
Matt reported that Tim’s widow Beth planned to spread Tim’s ashes on the Rubicon Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.
“Four-wheeling was one of the other things he loved to do,” Matt said.
Tim had a career that offered him opportunities to travel and experience new locales.
“He was an Army Veteran and worked one season as a crab fisherman in Alaska.” Matt said. “After that he worked at Mare Island Navel Ship Yard in Vallejo, California, until the base was closed and he accepted the position at the Naval Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He really loved living in the Springs and having the Rockies in his backyard.
“My wife and I had met up with him in 2005 and this last summer at the Rockies Rally and we all had a really great time. After the rally, Tim and I rode for another day and ended up traveling along the Rio Grand River up to Gunnison, where we had a good time and parted ways the next morning.
“The last time I saw him he was doing what he loved – riding his TC through the Rockies. I just talked to him last weekend and let him know I had tickets for the Raiders-Denver game in December at Oakland and he was looking forward to coming out for the game.
“He is survived by his wife Beth and sons Stephen and Brian in Colorado, his daughter Danielle in California, our younger bother Dan, myself and his mother Donna.
“Again thanks all for your thoughts and prayers. Tim will be riding with me forever.”
And with all of us lucky enough to have met and ridden with him.
Godspeed, Tim.
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