GOODBYE TO OUR FRIEND

Greg Jones was a benefactor, an engineer, a mathematician, musician, curmudgeon, athlete, fashion plate, son, husband, bandmate, problem solver, astronomer, sailor, waterskier, surfer, ship builder, havoc maker, shop keeper, craftsman, goalie, pyrotechnician, organ refinisher, scientist, tinkerer, educator and inspirer. And that's just a partial list. He was so many things to so many people. But best of all, he was our friend.

For a nanosecond, Greg was Recliner's first bass player. Watching him play music was a special treat as he approached playing like a scientist, his brain transposing everything into mathematics. But he was soon off to bigger and better things with the Extra Action Marching Band. Still he remained a big part of our band after that—freely lending us gear, explaining musical principles, frequencies and sine waves, and even lending us his house and playing a role in our first video All Pleasure. He graced the inside of our CD covers, played on a few tracks for us, and along with his lovely wife, he inspired the lyrics to our song, In all the World. Greg was the 5th Recliner, whether he liked it or not.

The man was bigger than life and I was always a little in awe of him for it. From the day I met him back in 7th grade, I admired his "my way or the highway" attitude. It's a rare gift to have confidence of that magnitude at that age, or any, with the intelligence to back it up. Greg had it his whole life. But more than anything, he had a huge heart and would go well out of his way for his friends. He was real. His unique humor and infectious laugh endeared him to anyone who had the good fortune to meet him.

I really don't know any other person who approached life in quite the same way as Greg—seemingly without fear or regret. When he told me he had cancer, it was a huge shock. But he approached it all in a uniquely Greg Jones way. I never heard him complain—not once—about being in pain or fearing the end. In fact, he kept playing goalie on our soccer team with the same reckless abandon he always had. It wasn't that he didn't care, he just wasn't giving in physically or mentally to this thing as long as he could help it. It was truly inspiring.

One day, he explained to me how cancer was really just an early ending to an amazing life.
He said that he'd got to do almost everything he'd ever wanted to do (except climb Mt. Everest) and that he was at peace with it. He was staring a death sentence in the face with courage, dignity, humor and a true appreciation for life.

Greg impacted a lot of people in a lot of ways. He leaves a lot of very sad people behind, including his lovely wife, his mom and the countless friends he touched throughout his storied life. But every one of us is better off for knowing him. As a band and as individuals we were privileged to call him our friend. I was so glad I got to see him just before he passed to tell him how much I, and so many others, loved him. He was one of a kind and we will never forget you Greg Jones. Quite frankly, there's just no way you could.