Gerry Morelock, a man I wish had met
In Memory of Gerald Morelock 1950 – 2006
Many that have been following the tragedy that took the life of Gerald Morelock did not know him, I am one. Although we have probably been in the same places, like Gerry did, I like to fish for snook.
Gerry loved the Sebastian Inlet so much and for him, he had a good job working there.
You may wonder why I am only now writing a full article about Gerry Morelock. The truth is, it has taken me this long to make contact with the family of Gerald Morelock. I am not one to use pictures or text from other sites without permission. I now have the permission of Gerry’s brother Byron to do so.
The picture above is one that was used in most newspaper articles, but there are others that I found and wanted to share with you. I have been in contact with Byron Morelock and Gerry’s nephew Seany in order to bring you the pictures of Gerry and his family.
This is a picture of Gerry’s Brother Byron (left), his Nephew Seany (center) and his Mother June (right). Sean and Gerry were very close and spent a lot of time together. This picture was taken the day that everyone said goodbye to Gerry Morelock at the inlet park. Gerry’s ashes were spread over the water where he worked and played. Byron said the sunset that day was one of the most awesome ones he had ever seen.
Gerry loved his family and spent a great deal of time with them all. I want to mention here that many of these pictures were posted at Club Chopper and that most of the folks in that forum are very supportive of the Morelock family.
I want all to know just a little more about Gerald Morelock. The following was written and read by Bill Amis, Gerry’s best friend.
To say Gerry was one-of-a-kind would be an understatement. He was my best friend for the past 21 years — my sounding board, my teacher, my ally and my soul brother.
Since we were both bachelors and shared the same interests, we had a bond that was solid, pure, and unshakable. He was the most unselfish and non-judgmental person I have ever had the good fortune to know.Friends like him don’t come along very often, and I felt honored and privileged to have someone in this world I could relate to in such a warm, trusting, and effortless manner. He was always on my side and there for me. The me you see would not be if not for his patience, caring, guidance, and support.Gerry had a big heart, a dry wit, a sharp mind, and a memory like an elephant. He once had a dog named Max that he loved and never forgot, and also tried once to raise a puppy named Dammit!, but that’s another story. His family and friends were priceless to him, and he loved and cherished and treasured his mother June, his brother Byron, his sister Dawn, his niece Chelsea, and his nephew Sean. I’m sure there are other family members I should recognize, but I don’t know their names.He spoke of his father often, and I know that he had made peace with him and loved him very much, too. I will miss Gerry’s great, big, fuzzy bear hugs.Gerry lived his life like a Warrior/Priest on a spiritual quest in pursuit of answers to the big questions. There is a cartoon I cut out of a New Yorker magazine recently and showed him. It’s a picture of a man walking down a path who comes to a fork in the road with a sign pointing in two directions. One way leads to The Meaning of Life and the other points towards Cheese and Crackers. Most people go for the cheese and crackers, but Gerry wanted to find the meaning of life, and was passionate and devoted to that search.I will always remember a famous quote he used to repeat. I must have heard it a thousand times. It was by Martin Luther, and in German. I never learned to pronounce it correctly, but it went something like, “Hier stehe ich, und kann nicht anders” which meant: “Here I stand and can do no other”. The reason it was important was because it expressed a fact of his life. Everyone has experienced hardships in life, has had rough times or met with difficulties or adversities that caused pain and suffering, but Gerry had more than his fair share.The way he was able to bear his suffering and handle those burdens was truly an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He was the strongest, kindest, most compassionate, and understanding person I ever met and I loved him deeply. He knew everything about me and I could tell him anything.Gerry introduced me to Buddhism and the wisdom of Eastern Philosophy. He taught me to meditate, to breathe properly, and to love my enemies. He never held a grudge, but sought to live in harmony with all things. He had no prejudices and respected all races, creeds, and colors.If we ever got mad or frustrated with each other, he was always the first to reach out to patch things up. I can’t ever remember a time when he hurt my feelings. Because we were so close and knew each other so well, I believe I can honestly say that I never saw a wrong done to him that he couldn’t forgive. He was a gentle soul who would not wish harm, guilt, shame, or suffering on another human being.
Everything I know about religion, I learned from him.
Gerry loved music, and one of his favorite artists was Dead Can Dance. I would read you the lyrics to one of their songs called Ulysses, but I couldn’t get through it without breaking down, so I encourage everyone to just Google the lyrics and download it for free if you know how. It’s about a man’s journey, or odyssey, of self-discovery, in which, like I imagine Gerry has now done, he takes off his mask and crosses the Rubicon: “for tonight he must leave, with the first gentle breeze, for the Isles of Ken he is assailing.”
In closing, let me also refer you to that song by Don McClean, Vincent, about Vincent Van Gogh, and the line that is so fitting to my dear friend Gerry — which I said to him on so many occasions: “this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.”
But I’d hate to end on a sad note, so let me tell you about something that happened last Sunday morning…
Bill Amis 9/17/06
These words are spoken of a true friend and describes a man that I wish I had met.
The newspaper articles and other media that did anything about Gerald Morelock just did not contain all of these pictures and information about the man.
.
It is my hope that this will help everyone reading get to know more and see more about Gerry Morelock and his family.
These words are spoken of a true friend and describes a man that I wish I had met.The newspaper articles and other media that did anything about Gerald Morelock just did not contain all of these pictures and information about the man.It is my hope that this will help everyone reading get to know more and see more about Gerry Morelock and his family.
These words are spoken of a true friend and describes a man that I wish I had met.The newspaper articles and other media that did anything about Gerald Morelock just did not contain all of these pictures and information about the man.It is my hope that this will help everyone reading get to know more and see more about Gerry Morelock and his family.A family that is trying to heal and deal with the pain of a missing member.
These words are spoken of a true friend and describes a man that I wish I had met.The newspaper articles and other media that did anything about Gerald Morelock just did not contain all of these pictures and information about the man.It is my hope that this will help everyone reading get to know more and see more about Gerry Morelock and his family.A family that is trying to heal and deal with the pain of a missing member.A mother that Misses the love of one of her own, her son.
These words are spoken of a true friend and describes a man that I wish I had met.The newspaper articles and other media that did anything about Gerald Morelock just did not contain all of these pictures and information about the man.It is my hope that this will help everyone reading get to know more and see more about Gerry Morelock and his family.A family that is trying to heal and deal with the pain of a missing member.A mother that Misses the love of one of her own, her son.A brother and nephew that were close as family should be. They all are trying to recover from the loss of family member that has gone to a better place.
Rest in peace, Gerald Morelock and god bless the family that has been left behind. May justice be served.
Gerald Morelock’s life was taken by a drunk driver on September 4, 2006. Think before you drink and drive!
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November 9th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
This is a very nice article about Mr. Morelock. It introduces the man that the face belonged too. What a sad story about a life cut short. I am looking to the short article that you are posting tonight. Guess it will be my reading material with my first cup of coffee.
November 9th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
mike it looks like billy has to be in court on 2/2/07 at 9:00a.m. for a docket sounding according to the clerk of courts here in melbourne found it tonight
November 12th, 2006 at 5:26 am
cblois4613
At the moment that is when he is scheduled. However, that is merely for a docket sounding. Therefore, it will only be his attorney(s) and the Judge. It is possible that they may set it for trial at that time.
March 20th, 2007 at 12:51 am
[...] on Gerald Morelock back in November of 2006 that includes many pictures of Gerry and his family. You can see that post by clicking here.Technorati Tags: dodge, daimlerchrysler, civil suit, auto negligence, law, trial, personal [...]
July 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
[...] Florida) After hours of mediation between the family of Gerald Morelock with Billy Lane and attorneys for DaimlerChrysler, an out of court settlement has been negotiated. [...]
August 10th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I used bing and typed in Morelock and I ran across this article It was heartbreaking because I know first handed at losing someone close. I lost a 2 year old Grandson and this article just got to me
September 27th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I wish I would have met him also ,he seems like a good cat.i had not heard about this case until today,i also liked billy lane ,until today.Gerold seems like the kind of man that would not hold a grudge,but that not how I roll.
billy i hope you dream of this every time fall asleep. rest in peace Gerold.Thanks for putting the pics and story about Gerold together it makes it hit home. prayers to family- Billy Davenport