I'll never forget ... I was at Andrews Motorsports one Saturday afternoon when this tall skinny guy drove up in an old blue box van. If you're a motocross rider then you know the drill. You park - go sign in - get your bike out - get your gear on - and go ride! Just like that!
Fast forward about 4 or 5 months and I'm the one parking and getting ready to sign in. Except for me it was signing the dotted line to attend college for the next couple of years. I've always been really good at remembering faces and one day, as I was walking though the hallway to go to class, I notice this tall skinny guy that looked familiar. I knew it! I was hoping I'd meet someone that was going to this school ( The Art Institute of Charlotte ) that shared the same interest as I did. So I introduced myself, and from that point on, we always did the nod of hello when we didn't have time to talk. John was easy to see coming down the hall. His hat was usually on sideways with hair coming out all sides. When we did get the chance to talk, it was always about riding. When and where!
John graduated way before I did, but it was at another mx track where I'd meet up with John again for the last time. I really didn't know John all that well but when you have motocross in your blood, you'll always have something to talk about. Throw in the fact that he enjoyed Graphic Design and you've got a cool-cat in my book.
Going back to that picture of John on my friends facebook page, it was the RIP that took me by surprise. Yep, it's true. We've lost a soldiers.
I don't know who took the photo but I wanted to share it along with a few that I took of John on that last day I saw him at Trick Tank mx.
So here's to John Dubanowich. See you later budd!
3 comments:
I was with John the day he passed away and your description is a good one of him. I met him in school as well only we were in Cleveland, OH at the Powersports Institute. I didn't know him for more than a year but I felt like i knew him for my entire life. Rest in peace John and we will see each other again one day. RIP #811
I only knew John as a baby as I was good friends with his Dad- Stanley, who passed away in 2000. I'm sure if he was anything like his dad he was an enthusiastic in life, bikes, racing and anything else that was daring and cool. Nice to see this tribute.
I was with John the day he passed as well and I'll never forget it. Being right there and watching him slip into the hands of the Lord with nothing we could do. As this article describes he was a blood brother just from bei n get a motocross rider. We are all family and will always reach out to one another. We all miss john. He was a friend, a brother, a classmate and most b of all he taught me how to ride with technique which I will take to my grave with me. Ride in peace brother. #811
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