Donald Masters - R.I.P.

My sincere condolences to Donald's family. Although I never met you, you have touched my life more than you can imagine. I wish the outcome of this could have been different, but take comfort in knowing that Donald was doing something that he loved in one of the most beautiful places that God could create for him.

womantriker said:
Joe....I have already contacted an ST member who lives close to the site to see if a memorial marker can be made . I want to pay for it, and am waiting for a reply. If anyone involved on the board is close enough and would help this effort please let me know. I have always wanted to show how much Kent's memorial means to me. Creating one for Caroline woud be an honor for me.....hope someone can help.

Carole (womantriker)

=e
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Womantriker,

I live in Missoula, MT, about an hour and a half north of where the accident happened. It would be my honor to assist with setting up this memorial. Just let me know how I can help.

Steve
 
everyone has described the area would it be possible for someone to post a picture showing the scenic beauty of this location?
 
I received this e-mail last night from Luanne Coates, the wife of one of the men who found Donald. I am posting it here with her permission.

to the family and friends of Donald Masters. My husband was one of the people that found Donald. He was with his two brothers on a road trip. they had been to an auction and were on their way back to Idaho Falls. They were really pressed for time and had not planned to stop on the way. However, when they saw a herd of elk they decided to pull over. All three of them felt like they needed to stop at that place. After stopping and watching the elk, they were about to leave but were felt like they just needed to look over the embankment, why? they didn't know. It was then that they found your friend. Your prayers were answered. My husband just wanted you to know this. They were not elk hunting at all. The men that found your friend are good men and believe in God and the power of prayer. We are all sorry for your lose, but glad you have closure. We will pray for your family and friends that you all will recieve the comfort you need.
LuAnne Coates
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My Heart-Felt Sympathy to all of Donalds family and friends.

I borrowed this from a collection of biker poems on the internet and wanted to share.

His Journey Goes On by: Joe Eliston

It's all about the journey,
it's the part that counts,
even when he gets there,
he may just turn around.

He rides like an eagle,
flying all along the stars.
It's all about the journey,
safe now from harm.

Too soon he left to travel,
beyond where we can see.
It's all about the journey,
forever riding free.
 
I have watched this thread for days in hopes of good news, now I can only say my thoughts and prayers are with Donald's family. For those riders that took time to participate in this search effort my hat is off to your commitment
 
Deb said:
His Journey Goes On by: Joe Eliston

It's all about the journey,
it's the part that counts,
even when he gets there,
he may just turn around.

He rides like an eagle,
flying all along the stars.
It's all about the journey,
safe now from harm.

Too soon he left to travel,
beyond where we can see.
It's all about the journey,
forever riding free.
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Though I have not stated until now, for my own reasons, my heart goes out to the Family and Friends as well.

Reading the poem posted by Deb above, I imagine this, or something like this is what would be nice to see on the Memorial Marker for Don.

Ride Free Donald Masters.
 
RideTN said:
everyone has described the area would it be possible for someone to post a picture showing the scenic beauty of this location?
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Here it is (as I understand it)....
 

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Here is a quote from Kahlil Gibran that I really love
. I read it over and over when my brother was killed in an airplane crash. I had this carved on his headstone.

Peace
Dan


For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?


Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
 
Many of you have seen me post this before, from Derek's epitaph:
"Every blade in the field - Every leaf in the forest - lays down its life in its season as beautifully as it was taken up."
---Thoreau, Henry David

And from Ulysses:

"The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks;
The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs; the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends.
'T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,--
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
--- Alfred Lord Tennyson

Donald, we hardly knew ya. RIP.
 
I would like to pass along our condolences to Donnalds family. I have had many of my Riding friends pass on so I know Donnald will have some fine riding buddies to cruise with. I live on the Island province of Nedwfoundland in Canada and have been following the search for many anxious days, had passed the site link on to my fellow GWRRA members to keep them up to date. It is heartwarming to see so many bikers, both friends and strangers showing their support for this fine Gentleman,veteran,Purple Heart recipient,fellow biker and Friend.
"may the sun be ever on your face & the wind be at your back".

luckey9 (a survivor)
 
I like many others have been following every post hoping for a better out come. I have been moved by all the effort from this site and others, my hats off to all that helped out.

My condolences to all of Donald's family and friends.
Several people have posted in this thread and many have said I never met Donald or I didn't know Donald and I would be one that never met Donald.
However I think I know him as well as any of you do. He is you and I or anyone that has the same love of two wheels, he is the person we ride with on the weekends and holidays, he was and is one of us. He was a friend we never got to meet, but we all know Donald.

R I P Donald Masters

You brought alot of people together and we will never forget you, your family and friends.

Rick Gibson
 
It is amazing, after following this story from the beginning, what people will do for each other in time of need. Thanks Joe for a forum that is kept as civil as this one is, and to Larry for keeping things on task.....well done!

As riders we are often out there alone, and something like this, but for the grace of God, could have happened to many of us sometime in our riding careers. Its nice to know someone has your back.

To the Masters family I wish you peace.

Mike
 
RideTN said:
everyone has described the area would it be possible for someone to post a picture showing the scenic beauty of this location?
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ChipSTer said:
Here it is (as I understand it)....
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Out of respect for the family who is reading everyones beautiful words, we have held off posting the actual picture of Donald's crash site. Once we have the OK, it will be posted. But not until then.

As Raven described...it is absolutely beautiful.
 
I just found this memorial page this evening. So many have said all of the words that have passed through my mnd & heart. Condolances & prayers for comfort go out to all of the Don Masters family & friends.

Eldon Cannon
 
I took this photo Sunday evening 9/20/2009
 

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Thank you to everyone who helped in the search and to every person who prayed for Donald and shared your love. I'm writing as a friend of Donald's and hope I can give you all a little idea of the man you all so selflessly and beautifully pitched in to help.

The Kahlil Gibran quote from Dan was something that Donald would have really enjoyed and that I judge would be right in line with his own personal spiritual quest and journey. I repeat it here:

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

If Donald didn't know that quote, I'm certain he would have loved it.

I met Donald nearly fifteen years ago when we were among the founders of a cable channel dedicated to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. It was an amazing project, among the most challenging, inspiring and infuriating things I've ever been involved in. We were trying to do well while doing good and it was often a challenge to keep to our mission and keep our message pure while figuring out ways to keep the doors open and the lights on. Donald was our moral compass and I can say that we had many mighty arguments and disagreements in those years, but I never doubted Donald's integrity, commitment or compassion, no matter how infuriating he could sometimes be. He was loyal to a fault and you could have nobody better on your team or covering your back.

Donald was a fierce warrior in his spiritual odyssey. We had many talks over the years about the ineffable and Donald was always more passionate and had more faith than me. No matter how powerful his personal demons, by the time I met Donald and throughout the remainder of his life, no matter how he struggled, I doubt Donald ever lost his faith and I do believe he spent his final moments in peace.

Thank you all again and wishing you many blessings. Long may we all ride and long may we remember our loved ones!

Bill Megalos
 
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