Kephra Memorial........Soon?

[KoKo]

I've never been good with "death dates." I wipe it out of my mind...folks have often thought me callow for that...but it's because I like to remember those gone that I cared about as still out there somewhere. I've never been able to fix a date on death .. I just can't do it.

But, I think it's soon.... And, I know many here really care about this..I just don't know the exact date...it was so traumatic.

[xultar]

1. It was in December. I remember. I was wondering about MamaKeph.

[MADem]

3. Seems like yesterday, damn near--or a few months ago, at most

Hard to believe a YEAR has passed.

[Jade Fox]

2. Right before Christmas last year....

I wished him Happy Holidays in a post, and he responded with the same. Next thing I knew, he had died. :cry:

[Lorien]

4. I memorialized him in a small way last year

I named my favorite foster kitten after him, and the young person who adopted the kitten kept the name. She sent this collage to me not long ago. Kheph is on the left, Isis (newly adopted to provide him with a playmate) is on the right:

[KoKo]

7. beautiful........and he would have loved that...

thanks.....for remembering and the post.

[Ladyhawk]

40. His nick IS a great name for a cat. :) n/t

[unblock]

5. i was just talking about him earlier today

a colleague of mine told me his wife has deep-vein thrombosis. the clot(s) are currently safely in the thighs, and she has to remain on blood thiners for the rest of her life. i couldn't hear that story without telling him about kef, and what a contribution he made to this place.

i miss him.

[Wonk]

24. deep-vein thrombosis? Was that Scott's autopsy diagnosis?

I hadn't heard. I haven't been hanging out here nearly as much as I used to.

R.I.P Scott, Jeff, and Andy
(sorry if I missed anyone)

[hippiechick]

31. A blood clot in his leg let go & traveled ...

... not sure if that's what you meant ...

[KoKo]

6. I remember it as January...but then as I said...I have problems with that

stuff. I'm very sad that we didn't remember him in December, then. Maybe we should remember him now.

He has a beautiful pyramid built for him with loving hands by a DU'er where he rests.

I guess we didn't have time and too much was going on...but he deserves some memory...even if it's belated. :shrug: He was a "heart" of DU...and started many of the "traditions" we all follow today. Even the Newbies catch on to some stuff Keph created.

I remember his threads about C-Span hearings where we would have running threads reporting things folks do today with the McCain Indian Gambling hearings. The Byrd hearings.

Oh...the Byrd hearings were a DU EXPERIENCE! So many of us...and the pre-Iraq Invasion UN Council Meetings and the e-mails trying to stop that Invasion that has turned out so WRONG...and we knew.

Plus the 24/7 Posts of national and international articles in "LBN FORUM." Keph was a master of keeping us informed. Many DU'ers tried to keep up the tradition...but times changed and Blogs caught on...so it's different now.

But, there's so much Keph did that made DU a place folks wanted to be. And, I don't know the half of it. He had a whole "Sci-Fi" and "Music" life that I know many DU'ers were really buddies with him in those personal interests.

I just know Keph for what he did for the "publishing" side of DU...because that's where I come from and appreciated him most of all for giving us a "form and context" to our rantings.

Hey, Keph...We still remember you out there in the sky....

[radio4progressives]

13. I wasn't an active member on this board at the time...

i think i was registered, but i didn't get involved with this board until some time after the stolen elections and a couple of months after the Kerry forum converted to Common Ground. The stolen elections issue was my chief focus at the time. so i wasn't acquainted with Keph, at least not that I know of..

I send my condolences to his memory, just the same.... ;)

[Ladyhawk]

41. I don't do too well with "death dates" either, Koko.

I can't even remember the YEAR my father died. I just didn't want to deal with an anniversary date. One death date--May 27th--is burned into my memory. It was the first real tragedy in my family and the day of the "last straw" for me as far as the Christian religion is concerned. Since then I just don't want to deal with anniversary sadness. I mean, we all have to deal with the loss as it is. Adding an anniversary is just too much for some of us, I think.

LH

[KoKo]

48. thanks...sorry for your saddness...and glad I'm not alone in not

being able to pin dates. I just know that I start to get very sad around times of events...and I know that it's the loss...I just can't do the date.

[frylock]

8. january 8th..

I remember because I was watching the Chargers lose to the Jets in the first round of the playoffs when I saw here that he had passed.

[Kurovski]

9. I thought it was January, too.

Checking back on some records I see that the 8th would have been the date.

I suppose an intrepid DUer with the time to do it could check the archives.

Edit: here's a post on the 8th,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2382509

We miss you, Keph! :hi:

[KoKo]

10. I tried to check in a search of Archives and got message DU too busy

...check back later.

I'll keep trying. But, thanks for posting January. I hope we can find out for sure..

[Kurovski]

11. Found something easily through google.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2382509

Thanks for checking. :-)

[KoKo]

14. I'll post Will Pitt's Memorial...but the ones I remember are the Funeral

Home postings by DU'ers with incredibly beautiful poetry and personal remembrances and comments by hundreds of DU'ers. I wish I still had those posts. But, thanks so much for Googling that...never thought of trying there. Pitt and Keph worked together on "TruthOut" for awhile so they were close in that time frame.

Here's Will Pitt's remembrance...but be sure to read some of the replies. there were many threads here on DU so Will's Post isn't the only one..but it's a start until I can search more.

Many THANKS! :-)'s

-----------


I just got off the telephone with Scott's mother. She is understandably distraught, but confirms this terrible news.

I met Scott here online way back in 2001. The way we met was typical of the man he was. I had been posting here for a few months, and Scott wrote to ask me a favor. He told me that he was just coming out from a long struggle with alcoholism and was getting his life together. He wanted to become a writer, or at least do some writing for the cause. He asked me to check the posts he made, to see if his writing was clear, and to see if I had any suggestions. He didn't need my help, but the sweetness and determination to better himself is emblematic of the man I knew.

I can think of few people who have had to walk a tougher road than Scott did. He had the bottle problem and beat it. He had injuries to his body and overcame them. The sensitivity in his soul made the world a bruising place for him, but he battled through it. When he joined the Dean campaign and became a valued member of that cause way back in the early days, he was so happy and proud and thrilled.

He was with us for the first DU Gathering in Philadelphia, and made it a hilarious experience. He was a valued employee of truthout for a time, responsible for the management of our fundraisers. Before that, he helped me do research for articles and wanted no payment other than his name as a credit; if you go look up my articles from 2003, you'll find his name there. When I came to his town on my book tour, he and his mother had me for dinner and treated me like a king...not because I was special, but because that is how they lived their lives, in kindness and warmth.

I am unable to express how wounding the news of his death was.

His name was Scott Lowery, and he was 37 years old. He stood up for Howard Dean. He was my friend and colleague. He has been one of the best DU ever had. His greatest desire was to expose the right-wing fundamentalist fake Christians for what they are. Today, he stands righteously before his God, and knows now what I could have told him yesterday - that he was a better man than I or anyone else. He has earned his rest, and your prayers, and your thoughts.

[Kurovski]

16. That will make for a lovely memorial, KoKo01.

Some of Keph's posts might be good too, if you know of any right off, or have time...he had tens of thousands of posts!

Maybe if anyone reading this has a particularly memorable thread by Keph bookmarked, you could PM the link to KoKo01?

[KoKo]

18. Some DU'er s were there for the Funeral. Skinner was there, too. and

DU'er "Plaid Adder" wrote about it. The DU'er who hand carved Keph's Pyramid Resting Place showed all the pictures of his work and it was beautiful. I feel bad that I can't think of his name...:-(

If the Archive Search worked, maybe I could find it...I'll try again tomorrow and see what I can come up with...maybe the Central States and CA Folks can add some stuff through the night. I'm on EST here...so I will be cutting out soon for the night.

I'd love to have some good thoughts to post if anyone wants to PM or add.

[SoCalDem]

21. Zen Lefty, I think.. where IS he these days?

:(

[VolcanoJen]

29. That's an excellent question

Where are ya, Zen? It's hockey season, dammit... and the Olympics are coming.

God rest ye, Kephra.

[KoKo]

50. I don't remember seeing him post much after Keph passed on. And,

it seemed most of us DU'ers were wrapped up in the Election trauma and we didn't even notice...because we were still so down and trying to get the votes counted for Kerry.

I guess there's not much time anymore for us to pause and remember long about folks passing on. I sometimes wonder what we lose by being so innudated with life bombarding us 24/7. There's not much time for "reflection." Maybe good...I don't know.

[newyawker99]

33. I have been wondering about Zen Lefty myself.

Zen if you are out there, please check in.
I miss you and your wonderful sense of humor.


:-(

[hippiechick]

32. Here is a photo of the pyramid Zen built for Kef ...

[KoKo]

47. Thanks Much, hippiechick, I didn't see it totally finished. It's

beautiful. Bird's eye Maple, I think. Looks like the sands of Egypt and worn bricks of the pyramids through all this time....great visual.

What happened to Zen...?

[hippiechick]

54. It is beautiful ...

... and the first time I went over to Nancy's after she received it, she opened it and a puff a smoke/dust rose up from it ...she chuckled and said 'Scott says hi'. Love that woman's amazing strength. :hug:

I've not heard from Zen since he sent the pyramid, although he did include a personal note with it.
It was a beautiful thing he did - and took no donations for it - I hope he knows how much it means to her & to us.

O8)

[Ladyhawk]

42. We didn't miss it, then. Good.

I hope DU does something to honor him. :)

[Raine]

28. January, yes

that was what I was thinking but I had thought the 6th instead of the 8th. I miss him. :cry:

[OffWithTheirHeads]

12. Oh God, how sad

I hate it when good DUers die.

[KoKo]

15. Well....Keph was a Superstar...and one of the Originals...so it really did

throw us all down in the dumpster. And it was coming off the lost election. Keph was here since 2000 so it was THREE ELECTIONS for him, including the mid-terms and for those of us who joined in late 2000 it was like a blow to our guts to be dealing with Kerry going down and Keph dying suddenly....out of nowhere and he was a young guy. It's been a dreadful year.....

[OffWithTheirHeads]

22. I've been here since the begining and I allways loved Kephras

feedback. God I hate this shit! Why do good people die an Oxyrush just kieeps going?

[Ladyhawk]

44. Yeah. DU got pasted this past year. :(

I didn't know Khephra at all, but felt the sadness keenly. I knew nostamj and Andy, though. They weren't really "close," but I knew them well enough to mourn. Andy's death was especially heartwrenching because of circumstances--both good and bad--surrounding it.

[Oversea Visitor]

17. He use to PM me

When I first joined DU
He was one hell of a BIG MAN.

[hlthe2b]

19. Thank you, KoKo01... I've been thinking of Khephra too

Like you, I don't remember exact dates of death--even for my own parents, though I'll never forget the year (they both passed within 3 months of each other in the same year).

I'm so glad you started this thread. It still seems so hard to believe he is really gone. Once in a while I come across a post of his when I do an archival search and it just seems so very wrong that he's not here with us now. He really was such a fixture and important element of DU. Peace be with you, dear Khephra. You are missed.

[KoKo]

20. a kick for the night crowd..............

:kick:

[Generic Other]

23. Kephra Rising...

[Swamp Rat]

25. very nice

:hug:

[EFerrari]

26. That's beautiful.

[G_j]

43. there is still an empty spot

he is certainly missed! :cry:

[Acryliccalico]

27. I remember.............so sad..........n/t

[hippiechick]

30. KoKo~ it's January 8th - Sunday.

Nancy's doing alright ... sometimes she wants to stop by DU, and sometimes the reality is too enormous and she just can't quite get here. It's been quite difficult for her, since she and Kef were so very close for his entire life.

I'd be happy to pass on any notes, etc ... I'm not sure if her DU account is even active anymore, since she's not been here in so long.


I think this is Ramsey and LynneSinn with Kef in DC in 2002 ...







:cry:


:hug:

[salin]

36. Send her my best...

she wouldn't remember me, but I met her briefly at a DU get together in Broad Ripple.

I was just thinking about Keph yesterday.

:cry:

[hippiechick]

37. Will do, Salin ...

... and I'm sure she'll rememember you !


:hi: :hug:

[salin]

38. thanks!

Hope all is well with you! :hi:

[hippiechick]

39. Doing well, thanks ...

... hope you and your "school kiddo's" are too ?

[salin]

45. tryin.

always tryin...

[KoKo]

49. That's a great photo!

And, the way I would want to remember Keph...that great kind of "self effacing humor with a wink and yet the wisdom behind it that could be so empathetic when one really needed to be around someone who cared deeply as he did.

He wasn't a Saint...not making him out to be that.....but HE WAS SPECIAL...and it's good we talk about him now..at least I need to..because I felt the little I had to do with him ...he touched my life greatly and helped make DU what it is today in ways many may not realize.

[hippiechick]

55. Remembering is a good thing

:hi: He would have been thrilled to know how much he meant to all of us -- he was so unassuming that he never would have just 'knew' how important he was.

I like to remember the goofy things we did and talked about, the devious chuckle, those big worldly-wise eyes, and how - like you said - he was so forthcoming about his flaws without using them as an excuse.

My favorite Kef memories:
The first time we talked on the phone, and realized that we lived within about 5 miles of each other. 'It was like Ohmigod!' :)

Going to 'Gangs of New York' and commenting to each other during the movie about hot guys/chicks in the theater.

'Political Strategizing' over Ice Cream Sundaes.

Organizing a welcome and meeting Howard Dean here in Indy in May 2003.

Seeing him so full of pride and driving thru downtown with the windows open and Marilyn Manson CRANKED, hootin' and singing along, after our fourth (or fifth?) Dean Meetup was attended by nearly 60 people. (The first Dean Meetup was 4 of us.)



Perhaps a thread of 'happy Kef Memories' would be the way he'd want us to remember him today, since he made so many of us smile, in so many different ways.

:grouphug:

[KoKo]

52. Thanks Much...I was off by about four days...but in the range...

I was worried when some DU'ers said December!

[Wilms]

34. Peace n/t

[UpInArms]

35. I miss Kephra, too KoKo

:cry:

In early 2001, he taught me how to post - I was such a neophyte - he was so kind and patient - emailing me and making me not so nervous. My first forum friend, I shall miss him always.

[KoKo]

51. Thanks UIA's...you are special here, too.........

even though you dwell in the LBN...:D Many of us know your posts and think about you. The "wit" going back and forth with you and "54" is always a highpoint of my day when I check in over there.

But, yeah...I know...Keph was special...He's out there...and we say :hi: to him. I used to do that every once in awhile to him. Didn't say anything but would reply on a post of his :hi: Keph!...He knew what it meant. :cry:

[KoKo]

46. I still can't use DU "Advanced Search" to give you all the Memorials...

but, I will give this one a kick...just so that he isn't forgotten. I hope other DU'ers will post their memories.

[KoKo]

53. Here's the link to the Flanner-Buchanan Funeral Guest Book /DU Tributes

which are worth a read because they are touching and beautiful goodbye tributes. Songs and Poetry and hearfelt words that were e-mailed to the Funeral Home and placed in the Guest Book.

I couldn't download them all and there are personal e-mails and such...so this is just for those of you who are interested:
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:Cy4ju5a1t04J:obit.flanner-buchanan.com/guestbook.cgi%3Fid%3D176405%26print%3D1%26listing%3DCurrent+Kephra+Memorial&hl=en
http://obit.flanner-buchanan.com/guestbook.cgi?id=176405&print=1&listing=Current