Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Hall of Fame The Passing of BA Member Don (Grump, Deon) Kelly

Maybe, if really fortunate, once or twice in a lifetime one stumbles upon somebody who is truly a great friend, confidant, inspiration, and a joy to be with. Often we fail to realize that blessing until it is gone and we recount the joy they brought, but, sometimes, we can recognize that blessing while those people are here and part of our lives. He had the greatest, most dry, sarcastic sense of humor. He played the part of the eternal pessimist – but he was just playing. He’d do anything for anyone. Although he’d deny it, he did it because he liked people and saw the good in all. He was bright in most all matters and was especially keen on all things mechanical. He could just as easily talk philosophy as he could cam shafts. He loved and knew music. He was an excellent judge of character, and those that entered his chosen circle of friends did so by his choice alone. No one pushed their way into his realm, but, if you got there, he was your friend through thick or thin. We came from two distinctly different places and met because we rode Triumphs and participated in this forum that has brought so many of us together. We bonded instantly – maybe it was just because of a shared interest in the bikes, but, as one who believes in those sappy notions of fate and Divine Intervention, I believe Don came into my life when I needed him. He served that purpose and much, much more and I’ll be forever thankful. Today I find myself somewhere in the middle of knowing and appreciating Don while he was with us and at the same time feeling I’d neglected to be fully appreciative of such a great friendship until his passing. I knew what a great guy Don was. We spent some time together, but not nearly enough. I tried to stay in touch during his illness, but not hard enough. Sadly, I found out about his death only yesterday – 4 months after. I’m feeling badly about that loss right now, and ashamedly sorrowful for not being a better friend until the end – Like I’m sure he would have been. If you knew him, you feel much like me. If you didn’t know him, I hope you stumble on someone like him.

Don, old buddy, my vision of that eternally perfect place has great roads and equally great weather. The roads are lined with trees on one side and beaches and crashing waves are near the other. There are more bends than your famous buckhorns. Tiki bars and bistros are everywhere – each with great food and even better music. Cool breezes blend with the hot sun, and everyone rides a motorcycle. I’ll see you there and I won’t need any Red Bull! Ride in peace, my friend.

Donald L. Kelly Sr.
Level Green
Donald L. Kelly Sr., 58, of Level Green, died Friday, March 4, 2011, in his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1952, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Newell J. and Ann Sugden Kelly. Don was a supervisor with Cleveland Brothers Equipment Rental, and was a veteran of the Air Force. He enjoyed riding his Triumph motorcycle and listening to oldies music. Don is survived by his wife of 29 years, Donna J. Krumenaker Kelly; his children, Donald L. Kelly Jr., of Level Green, James Olson, of Ohio, and Jennifer Olson, of Pitcairn; two grandchildren, Alicia and Connor; and his two brothers, George E. Kelly and wife, Rita, and David L. Kelly, all of Florida. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the JOHN M. DOBRINICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 702 Seventh St. (Route 130), Trafford, 412-372-3111. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. Jerry D. Williams officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon.

this is very sad news ..he will be missed here.. I am very glad I got to meet him... and best of all ride with him..

ED...

Very nice eulogy here, Barry. I hadn't heard of this sad news, either.

Years ago when I first became a member of BA.com, I remember always getting a kick out of Don's often sardonic postings, of which I always knew were to be taken tongue-in-cheek.

My belated condolences to all of Don's family and friends out there.

That reads as it should; from the heart of a friend about another dear friend. Well written, sir. My condolences to you and please pass the same on to Grump's family.

Living, as I do, on the other side of the Atlantic, I only met Don once - at the NorEast in 2006.
He was Grump then.
I got to talk to him then and obviously before and after through the site, what with us both being mods.
Sad sad news indeed.
Best wishes to his family and friends

:-(

That is very sad indeed. A very touching post there Barry.

I never got to know Don but he sounds like quite a character and I think I would have gotten on well with him. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends and of course his family here at BA.com

Rest In Peace Grump.

RIP Grump

great eulogy there..........a neat guy and still young at 58

Very well written. Very sad news. Thoughts and prayers go out to all his loved ones.

Very sad news.
Don't know much to say except,
I'm glad I had a chance to know Don.
Uncle Charlie

C:\Users\me\Pictures\NoreastTriumphRallySept17-192009024-Copy

Dont let his passing get you into that "I coulda been a better friend" mindset.

I recently lost a co worker that I felt the same about. I kicked by butt for not reaching out more often and for being oblivious to her six month battle and passing. After really thinking about it I came to realize... it was me that needed her when I met her and we always seemed to cross paths at the right time. It just wasn't me that was supposed to be there at the time of her passing. Also... knowing her she would have kicked my sorry ass for thinking the way I was.

Keep your friends memory in your heart and mind where it matters to you.

Thank you for sharing your feelings here and letting us all know of the effect this individual had on you. We should all be so lucky!

I'm sorry to hear about this; I really enjoyed listening to Don offer his perspective on things the times I met him. He had a great, dry wit and always seemed to just be a true, honest person. My condolences to his family and friends.

Will

Sad news indeed, but a very uplifting post of friendship and what's important in life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. My condolences to you and Don's other friends and family.

Very sad.
Though I never met Don, I feel that I knew him through this board..

When I went down (run off the road by an idiot in a Tahoe) several years ago Don sent me one of his pumpkins because my right front was mangled. He wouldn't take anything for it, not even the shipping cost.

That's a friend, and a stand up guy.

R.I.P. Grump, you'll be missed.

Wow, add me to the list of thunderstruck! Though I only got to know him during the early days of BA.com, and mostly through the boards, he will be missed. I always looked forward to hearing from him and chatting with him. Goodbye friend!

I'm going to add an In Memoriam page to the main site along with Derek and Popcorn. So send me your photos. I'll start with Barry's eulogy but if anyone wants to contribute a remembrance I will incorporate it.

He will be (and has been) missed.

Well written Barry .

You know, it just dawned on me how long (some more than others) some of us have been on here.

Some of you may remember in the very old days (up to '07) Don (as Grump) would come on every single night, around midnight (US) and make a really witty comment ... or 5.
He once told us he had been working night shift at his company for 20 odd years.

So, each morning (my time) I would look out for Don's input, it just became routine.

I then missed all that after the short period he served as a Mod. (and privately complained to him about it).

Following that I think he just became a little disillusioned and slowed right down posting on here.

He was a sharp, witty and generous fellow, who many a time sent out spare parts (for free) and helped out folk on here.

A true loss.

Don, wherever you are ... I humbly salute you, Sir.

On behalf of Uncle Charlie who asked me to do this for him, I humbly post the following picture.

Thank you for letting us know Barry,

jh

Thank you all for your kind words,fond memories and pictures, and know that he held many of you in very high regard. He was particularly fond of the NorEast Rally and we always kicked the idea of going down to the GA rally. We had a couple of false starts - We just never pulled it off. Perhaps there is one of those little 'life lessons' there - Ya know - the one about putting things off. Just sayin'.

R.I.P. Don. I'll never forget your musings on the Mother's Day Massacre. Prayers for all that if they knew you, couldn't help but love you. A finer man I have yet to meet.

I was just thinking the other day about the upcoming NorEast Rally and was wandering how Don was doing as I found out at last years rally that he was not there due to illness. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. I enjoyed his company while at the rallies. RIP Don

Sorry to hear the news. I rode with Don at the Nor'East rallies. He was quite the character. RIP Don.

I'm a long time member here, but don't get the opportunity to check in here too much....I came by looking for some tech information about the igniter issue (thanks you everyone who contributed to that), and saw this post.

I most certainly do remember Grump...I never made the connection between Deon and Grump...guess I wasn't paying attention. Regardless, I just felt like I should post something here, as I always did enjoy his posts. Pipedr, your remembrance certainly makes me wish I had a chance to know him better.

RIP Grump my friend. I'll see ya' up there.

Man, so sorry to hear the news. He will be missed for sure.

So sorry about Grump's passing. He sounds like a great guy. 59 is way too young to go. It just doesn't make sense at times.

mike

When I first joined this site, I needed a couple of parts for my slightly damaged America. Don sent me a pair of them, no questions asked and no charge, even though I was a new guy he'd never met. Sorry I didn't get to meet him in person. The big guy will give him his just rewards on the bike ride home.

My recollection is fuzzy and I apparently didn't save the PMs, but I think it was Grump who sent me a set of his old throttle cables for free when mine broke a couple days before Halloween in 2006. In fact I'm 95% sure it was him.

I'm still running them on Bollox.

I hope this is okay with everybody. If you would like to add to the page just let me know.

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/about/in-memoriam/don-kelly-grump-deon/

I'm very sorry to read this news. A few years ago, I saw one of Don's threads about his inexpensive hard bags. I noticed that he had a spare set... so I sent him a pm asking if he wanted to sell them. He offered them to me for the cost of shipping. I asked how he wanted paid. He replied back, "Not set up for paypal so I could pay by check, one dollar bills, or a bag of quarters." I asked lots of questions and he patiently answered each one. He was quite interested in making sure that I was happy with them even offering to take them back if I didn't like them. Since he didn't originally even have them up for sale, I added extra money to the check for his troubles... and encouraged him to have a steak or something on me. He replied back with kind words of appreciation. My impression after 5-6 personal message exchanges was that he was a very genuine individual. My sympathies go out to those that knew him well.

Don you will be missed.

From one mic to another:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Sad, sad news, but thank you for sharing. Don will be missed...

I too met Grump at the 2006 NY Rally. I haven't seen him since but remember his spirit vividly. Godspeed my friend.

I was up on the mountain camping since July 1st so this is the first I heard this very sad news. Don is a truly good person, the kind ya wish the world was full of but instead they are a rare find. I will miss our rides, adventures as we called them, together. Especially the rides to the Nor-easter cause we really enjoyed that ride. We would always take the back roads, mountain twisties, 60 miles til smoke break, miss turns, get lost, in general have a great time and take all day to get there. I will really miss my rides with him but I will never forget the ones we had, never.
Love to read his musings, the man could tell a story.
Rest in peace my friend.