Sad news to report

[toner87]

THOMPSON, SCOTT ALAN — age 30 of Knoxville, and formerly of Athens, TN, died suddenly Monday Evening, August 29, 2005. He was of the Baptist faith and a recent Graphic Design graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was employed by the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership. Scott was an exceptional son, companion and friend who enjoyed life to the fullest. He is was a bright and shinning star who will be greatly missed by all those who were touched by his life. Scott was preceded in death by: his brother, Jeffry Macklin Thompson. He is survived by: his mother, Vicki Jean Thompson; father and step mother, John and Susan Thompson; grandmother, Jeanie Lou Smith; longtime companion, Nancy Burkhardt. Family and friends will meet at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Athens, TN Friday, for a 10:00 a.m. graveside service with Rev. Harold Ray officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

[Bulldog]

Like many who have posted here, I never met Scott, I may not have even replied to his posts. But I read them, and through them, felt like I knew him, at least in part. Like everyone who has posted here, I fell his loss.

Several posts have asked how we honor someone in this kind of situation. Donating to a memorial is great, count me in. But there is more we can do.

One of the reasons I love motorcycling is regularly coming upon a moment when all you can say is "wow" and thank God for giving it to you. I commute about 60 miles round trip to work. Yesterday morning, on my way in, the fringe clouds of Katrina were moving into East-Central Illinois. I could see the tip of one spiral arm of clouds, broken, with the rising sun shooting orange beams of light through it. It was incredibly beautiful, beyond my capacity for description.

I said "wow" thanked God again for putting me on my Yellowjacket, and thought of Scott, knowing that this was why he rode too.

We've all had those moments. If you ask me, that's how we honor him and our other riding friends who have passed to travel roads unknown to us.

Bulldog

[DSKYZD]

You can send condolences via the Rose Mortuary here:

http://www.rosemortuary.com/condolences.htm


DSKYZD

[SLEDGE]

So sad to here of this young man's passing,may he rest in peace.May the Lord be with his family.
R.D.

[sweatmark]

Sad, sobering. We exchanged e-mails offline... feels like we know each other via this Roadster community. Let's express condolences as for Yukon, including name on the 2006 t-shirt.

[toner87]

Touchton,
You're the point man for any memorial fund... I know the Graphics Dept at the U. would be good option, but considering the disaster in LA, MS, AL, maybe a donation in Scott's memory to the Red Cross would be another option? I'm sure Scott would approve, don't you think? I'll leave that up to you.
T.

[touchton]

I have some more information about Scott's accident. The details are in the email from Nancy posted below. It's what I'm sure we all fear most.

This is really hard. I know how much sorrow and grief I feel and, for all practical purposes, I hardly knew him. I read his posts, may have responded to a couple of them. Traded a dozen or so emails, a few phone calls, and spent a few hours together one afternoon. Just goes to show what a truly exceptional person he was, and how lucky I am for having the opportunity to have met him.

You can imagine how hard this in on Nancy. And his parents. They had two sons. The oldest died in a car accident about 5 years ago. Now Scott's gone. As the parent of a teenage daughter, I just can't imagine loosing a child.

As to a Memorial for Scott, I certainly agree with Bulldogs post. Thank whatever higher power you believe in and remember those that are no longer with us. And, for those that want to make a donation to a scholarship fund as Nancy suggested, send a check to:

Thad Touchton
900 Conference Drive
Suite 1B, PMB 289
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Once collected and consolidated, the funds will be donated to the Graphic Arts Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee, where Scott recently graduated. The donation will be from 'R1150R.org' in memory of Scott Thompson. I'll post updates regarding the donations on a weekly basis in the 'Off Topic' section similar to how it was handled last year.

Hug your loved ones and ride safe.

Thad

Thad, thank you. I know how Scott blessed my life. He was my life and the
air I breathed every day. My heart is so empty and I don't know how to go
through each day without him being here.

You asked me what happened. He had stayed a little late to work, because I
was working late. He was coming down Cumberland Avenue headed toward the
interstate to come home. He had every piece of protective equipment on that
he could. The best helmet. An SUV (Ford Explorer) turned left and the best
anyone can tell didn't see him. He never had a minute to react. The SUV
hitting him pushed him into another car. Both drivers walked away. Scott's
heart stopped and they tried to bring him back. They worked on him
diligently and he was just gone. The coroner said he dies from blunt force
head trauma.

Scott and I shared everything, emotionally, physically, and finiancally. I
don't know if I can make it without him to share my life with. He was my
heart and I am a better person for knowing him.

It is so wonderful to hear all that everyone has to say about a person they
never met. He just had that way. He brought life into a room and could
make me laugh during the worst of times. I wish I could push some sort of
rewind button.

I know even more now after reading everyones thoughts how passionate he was
about his motorcycle. I told him life is too short not to do the things we
love. His life was too short. We thought we would grow old together and I
know my life can and never will be the same.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and all of his family. My childern
adored him. My son 18 was beginning to catch the bug for a motorcyle.
Scott and he had taken a spin around the block a few times. Fletcher riding
the Buell and Scott and his BMW. He did love that motorcycle.

I will stay in touch. It is funny how you can comfort in strangers.

Again, thank you.

Nancy

[rdsmith3]

Wow, reading Nancy's e-mail made this that much more sad.

My prayers are with her.

[yjleesvrr]

[drevil]

Some days i'm not sure i should be riding a bike. Stories like this break my heart!

[darthrider]

Yeah, they break my heart too...I wish I could have known him, rather than just a few semi-anonymous posts.
These tragedies don't make me want or even think about quitting riding though. I just try to learn from what happened and be a better rider.
I think that's the best tribute we could give Scott.

[toner87]

Thad, I don't suppose you have a PayPal account, do you? If not, I'll snail mail you a check.
T.

[Photo]

My thoughts are with Nancy and Scott's family. This is such sad news to read. I'd agree with everyone else who hadn't yet met Scott - his posts were indeed passionate and his soul will be greatly missed. Godspeed, brother.

[Taipan]

What dreadful news and a sad waste of a life that was just beginning.

Ride free Scott dude.

[fnfalman]

A guy that I meet up with all the time at bike nights and even ride with once a while also just got killed last night in Southern California. Hit and run Ford Expedition with dark color.

[sweatmark]

Again, very sobering reminder for us all... following my previous post, I found some of Scott's contributions to the other board that he & I have frequented (both Buell riders):

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/ ... e=yahooboy

Sad day for both groups.

[beekstersocal]

dudes with all this bad news with all are brothers fallen and the devistaition in the gulf area im going to take a break from this for a while ,my deepest condolances to the yahoo family and ride safe , but keep riding

[yjleesvrr]

If memory serves, this is the first rider we've lost due to a motorcycle accident. I didn't know Scott well, but certainly as a human being we mourn his loss. The fact that he shared in our passion for riding brings it home that much more.

In reading his wife's account of the accident, he appears to have fallen victim to the all-too-frequent reason why we riders are in danger in traffic - left hand turn by a cager coming from the opposite direction.

We mourn Scott's loss, and are reminded that seeking fulfillment comes with risk.

[BobFV1]

So sorry to hear about Scott. I wonder if he's riding the Buell or the Rockster "up there" -

Actually, maybe heaven is a place where you can ride whatever you want, whenever you want.

RIP

[riceburner]

Really very sorry to read of Scott's death. :(

My thoughts go out to Nancy and his kids, I hope you can find a way to see Scott's memory within your life in a good way, he obviously affected you deeply. Remember the good times, they'll never fade.