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I am at a loss for words here. I wanted to express my deepest sorrow and sympathies to Tone's family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting Tone back at the LAVX meet and was humbly at awe with him. He was the greatest VX mod-king IMO and will forever hold that title.
Thanks Anita for letting me know about this shocking and unfortunate event. I will always remember Tone for what he was and the inspiration that drew us all to him. RIP Tone.
Sad news...
I'm in shock. This is devastating news. I've been reading Anthony's helpful posts since March 2000 on the suv.com board. He replied to my first ever VX post asking for info just days before I bought mine.
RIP Tone.
Mark Griffin
A true VX legend has passed; perhaps the biggest and certainly the most influential VX member on this entire site. I am terribly saddened by the news.
When I first bought my VX and joined this forum, TONE was one of the very first I sent an E-Mail to asking for advice. He always quickly replied, and as we chit-chatted via E-Mail I found out we both owned '68 Mercury Cougars. Just the other day, I was browsing at different photo's on the forum, and came across one entitled Tone's Birthday, which depicts TONE smiling and holding a birthday cake. I remember thinking to myself, "what a fun looking guy to hang-out with".
Whenever I saw a posting by TONE, I always made a specific effort to read it, as his advice was considered the gospel truth above all others. Many, many, times TONE's posting was the very last posting on a thread simply because "the guru has spoken", and no one could even come close in matching his sound advice.
ToneMonday's website-- the "only" dedicated site for VX aftermarket parts. I surely hope that the legend of TONE will continue to live on in his VX parts website known as ToneMonday and operated by a family member; not only for his awesome VX accessories, but as a way to pay special tribute to a true fallen VX hero.
R.I.P. TONE. May God's gentle hand lift you up high above the angels, so you may have a full panoramic view to watch over your VX flock here on Earth. Riff Raff
RIP tone, thanks for all the help over the years.
Perfect Anita....truer words never been spoken. To those people who have never met Tone the above paragraph sums the man up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anita
I really have no words to describe the depth of my pain and sadness.
Tone, you will be greatly missed.
To Tone,
I hope this doesn't sound trite but from now on every time I look at my tow hitch I'll think of you and I have two of them. Thank you Tone.
Navi
Rest in Peace Tone. I would like to convey my appreciation to all his help over the past few months with my VX questions and to Lisa. Stay strong Lisa!! My condolences to the family. What a loss to the VX Team. You will be remembered.
I'm as stunned as everyone else.
Can we pass the big ole VX hat around? Scott?
I never met him in person but was hoping to some day so I can judge for myself what type of person he was. I wish the best to his family.
I am so stunned at the news about Tone. He was well respected and will be missed greatly by the VX family. My condolences to Lisa, all his loved ones, and family.
Peace.
Tom
George, thank you for the post. I was notified by Jay Dunford the day before yesterday and have been totally stunned beyond words since.
I, myself have known Tone for what seems a lifetime. In 1999 when he was here in Colorado for a vacation with his daughter, I asked if I could meet up with him, without hesitation, he said he would make it happen. That was my first "live" contact with someone that was as obsessed I was. He was the Master, I ate up every word that he said and felt extremely privileged when he allowed me to take photos of his ride. Of course that wasn't his attitude, he most likely thought of me as some nerd but, was accommodating.
As the years have gone by, I've watch this great man help many as well as grate on others. That was part of his charm, he always kept everyone guessing. No matter, he was a wonderful and (as Anita stated) very complex man and allowed only a few to become really close.
As I think of Tone, I remember times such as the Margarita Machine, a full sized commercial "slushy machine" that Tim G and Larry G brought to Moab. Tone and I probably polished off 5 gallons of margaritas each!
When Tone, Lisa, Jay and I rented ATVs and rode like bats out of hell through just about every trail Moab had to offer (Lisa and Jay, remember the green water?!?!? :))!
Also the time we were going up a steep sandy hill and Tone buried his front end. Did he stop? No, he gunned it and threw up 20ft high rooster tails.
Tone HAND delivered a 200lb skid plate to me on way to Moab. We had a big BBQ and a house full of Texans! Love those icecream sandwiches!
He couldn't just walk by my dog Oso without giving him a big hug. The only human that could do it and keep all of his limbs I might say.
I could go on and on! Outside of the ones I have posted, I have hundreds of pictures to help with the memories.
I helped him with his website and will get in contact with his family to see what they want to do with it.
I consider myself a very lucky guy to have known Tone Monday and I will sorely miss him.
Lisa, Jay and Tone's family please accept my heartfelt condolences, I truly have lost a brother from a different mother. See you again someday, Tone.
In taking up the cause I have created a Memorial Fund. If you choose to contribute, please click the link.
A tough act to follow, for us all. This guy really had a passion, and genuinely carred about the very best when you really got down to the nitty gritty on someting. His steadfast-presence and definite opinions will be sorely missed, for sure. Adious amigo...or should I better say "true VX'er".
When I got the phone call from Lisa, I actually felt angry at myself for not having spent more time with Tone these last few weeks due to our new born!
I'm one of the lucky VXers that lives in the same town as Tone and we became great friends over the years. One of the most fun weekends were when Tone and Lisa slaved away in my garage to help me with the supercharger... most of the time, it was Tone yelling at Lisa and I because we didn't know what we were doing... or we weren't doing it his way. But because we knew him all too well that we always managed to get him to laugh with us in the end!
I have a few exotic cars in my garage but now the VX just became the most exotic of them all because it is priceless with Tone's sweats in helping me with many mods.
There's a Memorial Service for Tone in Austin this coming Saturday at 1pm and I hope that many of you will be able to make it. If there's enough people coming to Austin, I'm willing to host a gathering at our house after the service in his honor.
I will post the location of the memorial service tomorrow.
Please let me know if you guys/gals are coming down.
Scott and I have been crying since Monday when we heard the news. We were just talking about Tone this past Saturday during our Colorado meet. We were all looking at each other's mods like the door poppers, rear brake flashers, hitches, etc., etc. Like Scott said, Tone was the first person he met with a VX, outside of our first one. Scott met him in Colorado Springs and brought back pics to show that he wasn't the only crazy one about a VX. When Scott was so sick this past year, Tone would call me asking if I needed anything or if he could help in any way, as did many of you. You fellow VXers have NO IDEA how your strength and prayers held us together (and still does). The best medicine for Scott was to see 5 other VXers this past Sunday. Now, we must all pull together and support Tone's family, Lisa, and Jay in this critical time of need. Scott and I have been talking about dedicating this year's Moab to Tone. I talked with Scott about having black T-shirts made up honoring Tone to be worn in Moab and we could dedicate the VX only run to Tone this year. Let us know what you think or if you have any other ideas. We must do something to honor this man and his passion for our vehicle. We can not let his passing go unnoticed and without celebration for his life and his friendship and his dedication to all of us. We love you, Tone, and you will be sadly and forever missed. I could go on and on but I can't see thru the tears to type anymore.
Laura (Ms Moncha)
absolutely. i would be surprised if anyone in the family would have a problem with dedicating some of their time to an amazing friend to all of us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ms Moncha
WOW.. I have never had the privilege of meeting Tone, but his knowledge of VX's and anything with wheels will be missed by all. And mainly my heart goes out the his Family. My daughters and my prayers are with you all.. R.I.P. TONE....R.I.P.
Donna and I are just in shock.
This is going to take a while to accept.
Our hearts go out to such a giving guy and his friends and family.
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I, for once, am at a loss for words...Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny
I can't even believe my eyes...this is just terribly shocking sad news.
Rest In Peace Brother, You will be missed an awful lot by many.
I havent been here long possibly 4 months, but have read alot of writeups and been on tones site numerous of times looking at the products etc.
Then i came on here to read what this was about and i was truely shocked.
Very sorry to hear about this.
R.I.P Tone, condolence to family and friends.
That was beautiful Laura, & dedicating this years Moab to Tone is a great idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ms Moncha
I'm sure he will be fondly eulogized on the stoop at the Red Rock this May.
That was SO not enough, not for Tone...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ldub
I met the man for the first time in Moab, in 2006, he had just sold his VX, & was actually wheeling his AMG Benzo...not something most would even consider...he didn't think twice about it, just removed the front & rear valances, and down the trail he went.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...MENTS_1648.jpg
Never one to be satisfied with just "going further", he capped off the weeks activities by wheelin' the Benzo up & down the infamous "Lions Back".
He MORE than went out of his way to make all the "noobs" feel welcome.
I'll never forget the first time we had a few bumps, to wash down that days trail dust. After a few adult beverages, we came to the conclusion that we must have somehow been seperated at birth...he was that kind of guy.
Always there to help out a fellow Isuzu brother or sister.
This is one of my favorite pics of him, carefully studying the line for Beej, who was a bit aprehensive about coming up out of the entrance to Hell's Revenge.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ICS_07_322.jpg
Tone knew he could do it, and after talking to Tone for a few minutes, Beej knew it too...he was that kind of guy.
There is so much more to be said...I'll let others tell their Tone stories.
You will be missed my friend...Godspeed.
I am just stunned. Words fail. I will miss you Buddy. My heart goes out to all Tone's family. Know that he'll be missed by his VX family as well.
If I know Tone he is sitting up there having a beer with Dimebag smiling while telling him stories of the VX world!
wow, i just don't even know how to react to this.
it's never good when you meet a post like this at the end of the day.
i wish the best for all of Tone's family and friends. i only knew him through business dealings and PMs here on the board, but i can't say how awesome he was about never snubbing you when asking for help, always standing by his product, and ALWAYS there for friendly advice.
he moves on, but we'll always keep him in our thoughts and give a toast to man when sitting on the rocks, in the mud, or laying on the concrete.
What a great guy! My first year ever off roading in Moab, I had the opportunity to have Tone as one of my many enthusiastic instructors. I witnessed his enthusiasm first hand, when he was willing to put himself in harm's way in order to show Biju safely down Hell's Gate. Glad to know we are the same kind of crazy...
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...oab2007508.jpg
Not too long ago we were doing shots of Jager in our garage... We will miss you, but never forget you.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ab2007_479.jpg
I just read the mail at 10:00 tonight and found that Tone is gone. I’m tearing up. I found V-Mag and the group in 2001 the day I got my silver. The first meet was that weekend. I didn’t go. After reading everything, I found Tone was embroiled in some conflict. I wrote Tone and thanked him for devoting so much effort to the group that sometimes was a thankless job. I met Tone in 2002 at the Isuzu offices. I remember so clearly. The carbon fiber insert from China was delivered and was slightly damaged. I offered to buy and got it. Tone was not happy with me. Rowhard now wears it. I bought most everything Tone developed. Tone’s works ride with me every day. Tone did so many things, I only shared in a sliver of his accomplishments. Tone, we are diminished by your loss. We will not forget you.
Rest in Peace Tone Monday.
Roy
I never got the pleasure of meeting Tone in person; only knew him through business dealings (purchased Supercharger & Safari Bar) all of which were positive experiences.
We sometimes bumped heads in various threads on certain topics and I often wondered if he "had it in for me"; but, in the end I always just wrote it off as us having differing opinions on VX related issues. I would like to think that if I could have had the pleasure of meeting up with him in person...that in the end we would have hit it off. Unfortunately, I won't ever get that priviledge.
May Lisa, as well as Tone's friends & family, please accept my condolences on your loss...he will surely be missed.
Thanks for being so helpful, so fun and so genuine. Definitely one of the best. Cecilia and I will be heading to Texas for the memorial tomorrow. Not the reason I wanted to return to Texas. But I will have the memories from the first trip spent with Tone and the rest of the TX crew.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...xasVXmeet4.jpg
Wow... thanks for letting me know, Anita. Sad news for the VX community for sure. I was around pretty early in this forum and, to be blunt, Tone was the reason I left, but he's now the reason I'm back. He helped in importing or creating many of the add-ons and aftermarket items for our VX community and was willing to help anyone having trouble. I never like seeing anyone revered in a positive way by so many pass away so early in life... my condolences to all of his family and friends.
:( When and where is the memorial?
I won't be able to make it to the memorial in Texas, but please know that I will be there in thoughts and in spirit.
Tone was a true one of a kind, and I think it would be a terrible disservice if we DIDN'T dedicate this years Moab, and VX run, to him. Scott and Laura let me know if there is anything that I can do to help pull this together.
Still just in utter disbelief.
What?! I am speechless. :eek:
Tone, to me, was the VX pioneer. He was my go-to guy from day 1 and his knowledge and services were most appreciated. He will be GREATLY missed. The VehiCROSS world has lost a legend, but gained a Saint.
My thoughts are with his family and everyone close and dear to him. Rest well brother.
Dear all VXers,
Tone's Memorial Service will be at 1pm at the location below. As stated in my earlier posting, for those of you who will be coming from out of town, don't worry about having to turn around and head right back home after the service as I'm open to have you guys/gals come back to my house for a small gathering if that's what everyone would like to do.
Remembrance Gardens
4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy (also known as loop 360)
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 329-6007
remembrancegardens.com
My email is Julian911@aol.com and cell 512-750-2445 if you would like to contact me directly. Tone is a very very special friend to me and I'm trying to do everything I can to bring the VX community together in his honor.
Thank you and hope to see many of you on Saturday.
Wow, words fail me completely to describe all of the love and support here. You have no idea how appreciative Lisa and Tone's family are of all of your comments and condolences. Thanks to you all from everyone so very, very much.
I have a little more info on the memorial service, it will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday at:
Remembrance Gardens
4214 Capitol of Texas Hwy N.
Austin, TX 78746
Edit: Julian beat me to it, thanks Jilian.
i'm just sick to hear this... i don't believe this is real. i too am heavy of heart as you all are...
yet feel an immense amount of privilege and happiness to have met him, shared a small piece of the world with him... this VX passion.
sadness, heavy heart and shock... what more can i say?
RIP Tone. omg you'll be missed...
-biju.
.
RIP Tone
I am only 1 year into the ownership side of the VX obsession, but learned early on that TONE was "the man".
May his passion live forever in the rest of us.
For all those who knew Tone personally I am very sorry for your loss. For those like me who have only read his threads jof knowledge, bought his mods he will be missed greatly. Just last week I left a thread for him to chime in on since he always was very knowledgable on VX issues and was stunned to hear the news. I have been part on this site since 02 we wil all sadly miss Tone.
RIP TONE!
My prayers go out to his family, i am sorry for their loss.
-braden