My Old Friend Died This Week. In Florida.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/music/content/martin_stlucie/epaper/2005/03/18/m2c_slspires_0318.html By Sofia Santana Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Friday, March 18, 2005

FORT PIERCE - A musician who most recently was the drummer for the Southern Rock All-Stars - four musicians who were often described as rebels - died Wednesday at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute in Fort Pierce.

Jakson Spires, 53, lived in Fort Pierce for the past three years but was born in Raleigh, N.C. He suffered a brain hemorrhage earlier this week and did not recover, according to media reports.

Nicknamed "Thunderfoot" by fans and other musicians early in his career, Mr. Spires became well-known among Southern rock fans for his work behind the drums, the lyrics he wrote and his voice. Mr. Spires was a drummer and songwriter for Blackfoot, which he formed with childhood friends in the '70s and '80s, and then joined the Southern Rock All-Stars, according to reports. Both bands did several national tours, and members of Blackfoot reunited recently and were planning to start another tour in April.

Mr. Spires is survived by his wife, Sherry; three daughters; a son; a brother; and five grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are being handled by All County Funeral Home and Crematory in Stuart.

Commentary: Jak died in Florida. He was on life support when he passed. At that time, his family and friends were struggling with the decision to remove him from life support. The doctors told them that, essentially, he was dead. There was no hope for recovery.

Thankfully, Jak died like he had lived: for better or worse, he made his own decision on that issue.

This is all the news Jak's passing will make. It will not be covered by the networks. Millionaires will not have offered money for his custodianship. Religious organizations will not picket and hold press conferences. Forums will not be debating the minutiae of his passing. A passing from a condition that parrelels others we know of.

Another person dies from the design frailties of the human system.

None of us get to turn out the lights on the human race. We all take the dirt nap.

Just a little perspective. People die every day, because we humans are not made of the sternest stuff. Our end is built into us, somehow, some way.

There is no getting around that fact. Life is not produced by Walt Disney Studios.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. So sorry for your loss of an old friend. He was relatively young, but

sure seems to have left a wonderful legacy behind...and appears to have enjoyed the life he led.

[MuseRider]

2. Sorry to hear this.

It is very hard to lose an old friend. :hug: for you. You are correct in all that you said. Your friend was allowed a dignified death although he was certainly much too young. Another :hug:

[papau]

3. Sorry to hear this - dust to dust is obvious - but it still hurts

and your commentary was quite true - and moving.