Wow… I’ve been speechless ever since I heard the news.

I’ve known Tone since 1999 when I first started my obsession with the Vehicross in the days before VMag when there was a few owners on Edmunds.com. He and Lisa Ketrick of Los Angeles were the two owners I started corresponding with when I was thinking of purchasing a VX. It was with their great advice and enthusiasm that I ordered my 2000 Ebony.

I came to know Tone as a complex man; smart with a quick wit, a man of many talents, at times abrasive (he never shirked from a donny-brook and there are posts to prove it ), but he also could be giving and nurturing. He even allowed himself to be vulnerable with his closest friends. He was a driven man. When he had an idea in his head to do something, he DID it. He made things happen.

He had the greatest passion for the VX. I looked again at that great picture of his Ebony flying through the air at a monster truck rally. He lived hard and played hard. It was because of him that VX owners had accessories! Brush bars, step bars, interceptors, brake flashers, seat-extenders, tow hitches, rear-door poppers, and the list goes on and on. I think most of the VX’es on this forum have some aftermarket part that came directly or indirectly from Tone. He supported others who wished to create accessories for us, like Ron of Vehicross Concepts and John FInnell of Powervault mufflers.

He adored off-road fun and looked forward to the yearly Moab trip. At various meets he would bring his VX goodies and install them on our VXes. The Texas and Moab VX clan can tell you all about that. My rear-door popper and brake flasher were installed by him when he was here for a Los Angeles meet.

He adored his daughter. I remember years ago accompanying them to a cheerleader meet to watch her compete. He was a very proud dad.

Tone and I banged heads many times; strong personalities in a china shop. I am glad that we waved our white flags a while back and stayed neutral since. He is leaving a lot of people who loved him and will miss him deeply.

I am reminded of my own mortality once again in the face of losing the third friend this year, all who died too young.

Rest in peace Blondie.