Fallen Brothers

Remembering “Diamond Ken” OG21 - April 21. 2007 “Beaver Doctor”OG 21: “This brother was a class act”.  Diamond Ken and I go back to 1985 riding our Harleys together; “we enjoyed hanging out at the East Bay Dragons club house back in the day”.  Ken was an up-beat guy and always wanting to have fun.  He rode a bright colored bike, wore bright colored clothing, and styled flashy jewelry. The run we now call the 69er Fallen Brothers Run was the Ken Evans Run for the last 13 years. We have combined our fallen brothers runs into one. One day “Jump Start” and Diamond Ken rode their hogs down for lunch to San Juan Bautista where the two sat down together for lunch and talked Soul Smoke for hours. Diamond Ken passed away later during his prospect period. The Iron Souls Motorcycle Club organized the Ken Evans Run in the mid-1990’s. It has since been re-named. The number 69 of the ISMC has been retired and dedicated to our brothers. So until we meet again at the 69er Fallen Brothers Run; “Your Feathers are Powerful, Beautiful, and Soaring Free, We Are One Tribe”.

Remembering “Curly“– April 21, 2007:  Growing old is a bitch. But as I’ve lost friends and relatives, I’ve found that I’m better able to see and feel what really important is in life, each loss forcing me to re-examine my own, and helping me to be real. Curly was as real as he could be, and helping me to be real. This brother could ride. While he became a skilled and very confident rider, of the California Highway Patrol, he also protected dignitaries at our state capital. He had (as “Oop” once referred to it, as) heart. He lived in the ride, the destination a minor consideration. He had a certain joie de vivre, revealed slowly to those in attendance at his funeral. He was always entertaining in life, and did so even at his own funeral. I still smile, remembering the stories told by the line of speakers. To me, what made him stand out was that he simply accepted you for the person that you were. By this, I mean that your race and ethnicity, whatever it was, was to him, wholly acceptable and a plus. As one of the original 5 that founded the Martinez Chapter, he truly exemplified B.R.U. In many ways, Curly was the heart and soul of the Chapter and his loss is still deeply felt. Here is what I’ve learned from Curly: participate in the club and ride. Brotherhood, Respect, Unity; “Iron Butt” OG 21

Remembering “Chili” – April 21, 2007 “Blues”: “Riding with Chili was always a ride to  remember; he was always an up-beat brother with a lot of humor; he talked a lot about his military background amongst his ISMC brothers; he enjoyed driving his old Corvette and loved to ride his motorcycle. He had that intimidating look while on his shovel head he built. Chili passed it on to his son “Lobo” who is also an Iron Soul brought in by his dad. Lobo expresses how he joined the club under his dad’s wings and to ride was surly a way to  stay close to him. “Being a part of my father’s life while riding has given me memories to the already memorable times we had together.” Chili will always ride through the eyes of Lobo.

Remembering  Mary Ann “Mother” Wright (Honorary ISMC Member) – May 2009 “Road Runner” OG 21: It all began when an article appeared in the SF Chronicle describing Mother Wright’s work to feed and clothe the needy in the Oakland community. On a cold winter night in November 1992 (pre-ISMC), “Voodoo”, “Chief” and I strapped turkeys on our bikes and delivered them to “Mother Wright” at her old place in West Oakland. Her surprise, appreciation and love was our reward. Speaking for Voodoo, Chief and myself, we are extremely gratified of the small part we played in influencing the ISMC to support Mother Wright’s efforts throughout all these years. Mother Mary Ann Wright will be truly missed by Oakland and Native American Reservations in Arizona where she unselfishly spent her life providing food and clothing to those in need throughout all these years. I am humbly gratified of my small and insignificant efforts in support of her work and I’m proud of being a member of the ISMC which made significant contributions for the past 16 years on behalf of the Mary Ann Wright Foundation.

Remembering “Sweet Jimmie” Ward (Honorary ISMC Member) April 2010:  Jimmie embodied the ISMC Creed, “Brotherhood, Respect and Unity BRU.” He was a kind man, had a sense of humor, and he never forgot those that treated him with respect. As a generous benefactor of the Club, he was first class, always down to earth and treated us special. Jimmie had a photo of us all on the wall that he called a family photo. His heart was bigger than he was. He (and his wife Linda) treated us better than family. He was a real man in all ways. And, we all loved the food at Jimmies! The Club “adopted the block” outside his establishment on San Pablo to clean up because Jimmies was our own backyard neighborhood. We continue to maintain this spot on Earth Day in his honor. As an organization, the ISMC reaped the benefits of his good heart, generosity and support, which earned him a deserving award as an Honorary Member of the ISMC. Our loss was also Oakland’s loss. Not only did we lose a pioneer in Oakland’s African American community and entertainment industry, but the community lost a venue where people of color and others could gather and interact in the true spirit of diversity. Thoughts of Brothers “Heavy K”, “Jumpstart”, “Maleman” OG21, “Roadrunner” OG21, “Wonton” and “3-Hawks”.