Original publication: BikerTrash.com
Original byline: Larry Gore
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Carmen and I met Fred and Devonna in the early 90’s at Houston’s “Party On The Plaza.” It was with trepidation and apprehension that we parked our Gold Wing (that was before our conversion to Harleys) and joined the crowd of hundreds of Harley riders. We had heard stories about Harley people being everything from merely “unsociable” to being downright mean to people who rode “riceburners.”
Would you believe it? A couple of “real bikers” – the guy had long hair, a beard and rode a Harley – actually started talking to us and making us feel welcome. They introduced themselves as Fred and Devonna and they invited us to go on a ride with them on Sunday and a bunch of other Harley owners!
Wow! We were hooked.
Fred had just destroyed all of my pre-conceived ideas about bikers – especially bikers who had long hair and wore black T-shirts!
These were actually very nice, friendly people who loved to ride and to be with their biker friends – and they weren’t prejudiced against those of us who didn’t own Harleys yet.
From a personal note, Fred and Devonna have had an incredible influence on our lives. From being a Healthcare Executive, complete with the 3-piece suits to now being Editor and Publisher of a biker magazine I owe a lot of the thanks to knowing Fred and seeing what the biker lifestyle was really about.
In all of the times that I have known Fred I have never heard anyone say anything bad about him or criticize him in any way. I believe that the reason is because Fred accepted people at face value, he didn’t try to change them, he never criticized anyone, or gossiped about anyone. Fred made you feel like you were a really special person and Fred always gave you his full, undivided attention.
Although Fred and Devonna moved from Houston to Oklahoma about 6 years ago, they still managed to get “home” once or twice a year. Fred was the kind of friend that you might not talk to for a year or two, but when you got back together it was easy to just pick up right where you left off.
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One other thing that really got your attention – Fred and Devonna were “best friends” and loved each other with an unflagging intensity. Some couples are always together because one partner is insecure and doesn’t want to be apart. Fred and Devonna were always together because of their deep love for each other and because they enjoyed each other’s company so much.
Any couple who finds the kind of love that this couple enjoyed is truly blessed.
In the last year of his life Fred handled a lot of details and planned things that would make life easier for Devonna after he was gone. Fred, who was never really “gung-ho” about computers made sure that Devonna got one. I believe that he realized that it help her communicate with friends easier and aid her in her nursing career.
For those of you who knew Fred and Devonna feel free to go in and sign the Memories Book and leave your messages for Devonna and your remembrances of Fred. If you didn’t know him you are still welcome to offer your condolences on the loss of a fellow biker.
The next time that you hear the sound of rolling thunder, it may not be a storm – it may just be Fred on his “Heavenly Harley” – so look up and smile and know that Fred made the world a little better place.
It is our wish that sometime you are blessed with a “Fred” in your life. You will be much richer for the experience.
“Fred. We love you, we miss you and we will always remember you
– and we will always be there for Devonna”
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