R. I. P. Duke of Clubs

I just feel obligated to post, even though I never knew him. I don't have anything to say in particualr so...

Rest in peace, Duke of Clubs.


Sincerely

//Daniel

This is unbelievable. I can't think of anything to say. Just:

Rest In Peace, I suppose.

Man, sometimes life is bull****... I'm a miss that guy. Altimira, here is a past Adoptee that would like a copy of Duke of Clubs book, could you send it to
MVincentAlpha@yahoo.com
I'ma really miss that guy, even though i haven't talked to him in forever...

Well, I'm yet another of those who did not know Duke of Clubs, but I did, however, notice him in the Battle Arena. And I could see from how he wrote and interacted with other members, that this was one who really did deserve the respect he had.

For me, a member who does not really spend that much time here on ZU, it isn't easy to do this member honor with a post.

So I'll just leave it at this: This thread alone shows me how important Duke of Clubs was for the community, and that such a person has died is something that can reach even the most distant of people.

R.I.P Duke of Clubs

I'm in shock. No one could have expected this. I hardly knew Duke but his posts never failed to make me laugh. It's obvious just from this thread just how much he meant to the BA.

I was thinking about something after seeing this thread this morning. Few, if any ZUers, will be able to attend his funeral to say a last goodbye, perhaps we should give Johnny a funeral? I know a lot of people don't feel like RPing/writing at the moment but from what I know of Duke he always enjoyed reading and writing. Maybe the best way to honour his memory would to give his character a proper send off. Everyone that Duke was special to could write one final piece in his memory. I know that if I was to pass I'd like the same to be done for my own characters.

^ I think an online funeral for Duke would be a fantastic idea.

Guest Book - Jared Philip Griffis

There's a guest book where you can say your last good byes, as other ZUers have already done.

... I am in shock.

I never knew Duke, and I regret that I never could muster up enough courage to even talk to him. During my earlier days in the BA, I would timidly creep into the OoC Thread and observe the conversation. The personality that stood out most to me was that of the Duke of Clubs. I loved the way he posted, the way he could make humour look so casual, so effortless. I thought that was just his style at first, until I laughed time and time again. I realised that talent is effortless.

Although I was never blessed to talk personally with him, I did read his writing. I saw how he could carry his style, flare and... well awesomeness--into his writing. Johnny Bones seemed like a character only Duke could control, and I disappoint myself when I realise that I haven't even come close to roleplaying with him.

I won't go putting a memorial in my signature, because I feel, from what I've seen of him, he wouldn't be thrilled with a complete stranger rambling on like I knew him as well as someone more fortunate.

Rest in Peace, Duke of Clubs.

Oh no. Such terrible terrible news. I am honestly sorry that such a talent hath left so early in life.

I had just started to read one of the threads between Bones and Zorlo, in a personal misson to see how the Alliance of the Tasogare affected Zorlo and the such, so that I could perhaps see what it means to be a part of the alliance. And he was a truly great writer.

I am just so sorry that I had not had the opportunity to ask him to RP with me as I had planned.. =[

. . . I remember talking to him in AIM and the OoC thread (once each, or thereabouts).

The IMRP we got into was a rather lousy one: probably due to my end. And I managed to elicit a Touche from him with a post of mine. I wish I knew him better when he was here.

I hope to see his book hit print and sell many copies.

... I just heard and I"m in tears now. Even though I didn't really know Duke, we had a small fight on one IC thread. He was one of the best like you all have said and I wish I could have known him better. God, keep Jared safe for us all.

We'll all miss him and I hope to keep him in my heart as long as I live.... even if I dodn't know him.

Bravo, CW.
Couldn't have said it any better. -.-

I wrote a poem:

Duke of Clubs: A Eulogy

There's a hole in my heart
Where you once lay
So let me feel sad
That I won't see you today

Where have you gone
That your smile is concealed?
And nothing on earth
Can help me be healed

Your face in my head
As I cry through the night
I cling to my certainty
That you're back in the light
You've left me here
But you're back in the light

And I have my memories
I will cherish them forever

Perhaps a closer friend could provide a more personal eulogy. I didn't know Duke as well as I should have. I was just summing up my feelings as poetically as I could.

EDIT - And the tears are stinging my eyes.

I'm in shock.

I only found out last night that he had died - and even then I was pressed for time and was booted off the computer so I never had a chance to read this til now.

I never spoke with Duke, perhaps there was a little interaction in the OoC a few times but that is all. His was a strong personality, everyone can attest to that. Everyone who knew him was grabbed by his humor, vitality and bad ass natured characters. His own personal blend of charm. Yet even though I didn't speak with him, seeing him around the BA always made me smile and laugh - an impact he had on everyone so it seems.

What saddens me more is that I allowed my own insecurity to get in the way of reaching out and speaking to him, much like Kitsune did, beacuse he always seemed so... sure of himself and such a big figure in the BA. Much like my character Kyralie, I wanted to speak to him or at least interact with him, but feared to do so. Now I wish I had been like Joker, and randomly struck up a conversation full of idiocy and humor.

It was a funny thing though, because as much as it pained me to think it, I couldn't help but feel for both Zorlo and Cadenza... even if they were characters and people might think it foolish, Johnny and Kellson were such a big part of their lives. I can't help but think that the connection between those characters and their creators will be a standing point for where the healing process will begin. That when Zorlo and Cadenza come to grips with his passing, then so to will Zorolo and Aiko for those were the parts of their minds that seemed closest to Duke through their characters.

(I)boy, I don't mind you posted that image, it will probably be one of the best ways I remember Kellson - flaming bottle in hand and a total bad ass)

His writing was a gift, it was gripping and without realising it you had finished reading and were looking for more. I only wish I had gone through with that RP between him, me and Niku.

See you on the other side, Duke. A cliche though it is, goodbye's are far too definite.

I didn't really know Duke of Clubs... But all I know is that I will miss him because he brought fun and joy into this forum.
He will not be forgotten.
Rest in Peace Duke.

... Well, I signed the guestbook as "Mike 'Mizzy' Budnick", for anybody who wants to see what I had to say...

There's not much else I can say. Honestly, I didn't know him that well. I feel kindda like an ******* for saying this, but his death hasn't affected me very much because we were never really close.

Still, it's obvious that he is missed, and I regret not getting to know him better...

Rest in Peace, Duke...

I signed the guestbook under my real full name, Aiko Jones. I encourage anyone else with any bit of comfort to offer the family or memories of Duke to share with them to do the same (even if not under your real name.)

I also have emailed the parts of the novel I have to all those that I recall asking. If I have somehow mistakenly left you out, please PM me and I'll send you it as soon as I can.

Originally Posted by Mr.Man

I was thinking about something after seeing this thread this morning. Few, if any ZUers, will be able to attend his funeral to say a last goodbye, perhaps we should give Johnny a funeral? I know a lot of people don't feel like RPing/writing at the moment but from what I know of Duke he always enjoyed reading and writing. Maybe the best way to honour his memory would to give his character a proper send off. Everyone that Duke was special to could write one final piece in his memory. I know that if I was to pass I'd like the same to be done for my own characters.

I...would like that. I really would. I'm sure the part of me where the character of Cadenza resides would appreciate a chance to do that as well.

Originally Posted by HitokiriChibi

It was a funny thing though, because as much as it pained me to think it, I couldn't help but feel for both Zorlo and Cadenza... even if they were characters and people might think it foolish, Johnny and Kellson were such a big part of their lives. I can't help but think that the connection between those characters and their creators will be a standing point for where the healing process will begin. That when Zorlo and Cadenza come to grips with his passing, then so to will Zorolo and Aiko for those were the parts of their minds that seemed closest to Duke through their characters.

I almost feel...doubly hit by this. Cadenza had grown so close to Kellson/Johnny since the time when she first began teaching him, and...I too had grown close to Duke the person over that period of time. At first, I was too shy to speak with him outside of teaching. It was like you and Kitsy, where he seemed so sure of himself--even though I knew him from his very beginning here--and...I don't know. I was a Councilor, but I didn't even feel confident enough. But I am infinitely grateful that I eventually grew out of that--and that he reached out to me in time, and as we began to bond more as RPers, we began to bond as friends too. PMing him and IMing him for the first time was a jump I will always be glad I took.

What makes me even more disappointed, is that I could quite easily have gotten to know him, by simply finishing the character I had promised you, Aiko--and asked for Duke to be my TA.

When the time comes, I too would like to participate in the roleplay dedicated to Duke, if you'll let me.

Could I...could I start it? Mr.Man, I know it was your idea, so I'll leave that up to you, but...I really would like to. I imagine that Johnny could have finished saving all the ten thousand souls he owed, and finally went to rest in heaven.

It sounds like a plan to me.