paladin
08-19-2007, 06:54 AM
Raise a glass to passing of a true warrior. Robert Goingsnake Thundercloud has joined his fellow warriors in the sky.
Rob did four tours in Viet Nam as a member of the United States Marine Corps and is the only man I ever met with a gold cluster on his Purple Heart. He also earned more combat medals than I can count.
When the war was over he had a problem fitting into the peacetime Marines so, as he was a brilliant artist, he went to college, graduated with a degree in art and became the art director for a major manufacturer. All this while serving on the gang unit of the Compton CA Police Department where he was wounded twice in the line of duty. He was the only officer to earn both the Compton PD Medal of Valor and the Medal of Honor since 1921.
Rob was a man of honor and a true friend to those of us who were privileged to know him.
Our country and truly the world is a poorer place without him.
Ann Stephens
The Passing Of Rob Thundercloud
I am very sorry to have to report the passing of Rob Thundercloud. He died early this morning at home, in the arms of his beloved wife, Merrilee. The doctors were never able to determine exactly what was wrong with him.
Merri is so grateful for everyone's prayers and support. For those who want to send a card, her address is 600 Dunn Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165. I think she would love it if you could enclosed a note with some kind of memory of Rob. There will be no service, but she thinks she would like to come out next year for a get-together of Rob's friends (Hello Old Farts!) to share memories and stories.
If you would like to email her, you can do so at mailto:encoremerri@yahoo.com .
Rob was such a huge personality. Our lives are all better for having known him.
With Love,
Bob and Judy Celaya
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Message Posted 8-19-07, 10:30 am
from: Par & Jan Works
Hail Thundercloud!
Rob LOVED gunfire and gun-combat. .... He had a WONDERFUL time in the Nam. He also had massive fun being a cop in Compton -LA where he scored something like 5 officer-related shootings. Rob was active in the Cowboy Single Action Shooting Society ahd palced high at their Nationals. He carred his art skills with him to Texas and soon won every art event that he entered. Rob's visions of gourd painting totally revised the art form. Neat and complicated guy. When folks like him pass, we are all dimished. However, his memory lurks large.
Cool dude. All Hail!
Pat & Janner
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Hail Thundercloud!
Rob was one of my jumpmasters at Elsinore so long ago when everyone in skydiving knew everyone in skydiving and I'll always remember him for the fun loving friend that he was. Fun was what it was all about and it was not uncommon for Rob to intentionaly funnel a formation just to see the look on everyone's face. He would do a back flip through the round without letting go and we would all Zzzzzzz in a dangerous funneling flailing mass of uncontrolled meat... and loving every minute of it.
Rest my old friend and mentore.
Rob did four tours in Viet Nam as a member of the United States Marine Corps and is the only man I ever met with a gold cluster on his Purple Heart. He also earned more combat medals than I can count.
When the war was over he had a problem fitting into the peacetime Marines so, as he was a brilliant artist, he went to college, graduated with a degree in art and became the art director for a major manufacturer. All this while serving on the gang unit of the Compton CA Police Department where he was wounded twice in the line of duty. He was the only officer to earn both the Compton PD Medal of Valor and the Medal of Honor since 1921.
Rob was a man of honor and a true friend to those of us who were privileged to know him.
Our country and truly the world is a poorer place without him.
Ann Stephens
The Passing Of Rob Thundercloud
I am very sorry to have to report the passing of Rob Thundercloud. He died early this morning at home, in the arms of his beloved wife, Merrilee. The doctors were never able to determine exactly what was wrong with him.
Merri is so grateful for everyone's prayers and support. For those who want to send a card, her address is 600 Dunn Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165. I think she would love it if you could enclosed a note with some kind of memory of Rob. There will be no service, but she thinks she would like to come out next year for a get-together of Rob's friends (Hello Old Farts!) to share memories and stories.
If you would like to email her, you can do so at mailto:encoremerri@yahoo.com .
Rob was such a huge personality. Our lives are all better for having known him.
With Love,
Bob and Judy Celaya
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message Posted 8-19-07, 10:30 am
from: Par & Jan Works
Hail Thundercloud!
Rob LOVED gunfire and gun-combat. .... He had a WONDERFUL time in the Nam. He also had massive fun being a cop in Compton -LA where he scored something like 5 officer-related shootings. Rob was active in the Cowboy Single Action Shooting Society ahd palced high at their Nationals. He carred his art skills with him to Texas and soon won every art event that he entered. Rob's visions of gourd painting totally revised the art form. Neat and complicated guy. When folks like him pass, we are all dimished. However, his memory lurks large.
Cool dude. All Hail!
Pat & Janner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hail Thundercloud!
Rob was one of my jumpmasters at Elsinore so long ago when everyone in skydiving knew everyone in skydiving and I'll always remember him for the fun loving friend that he was. Fun was what it was all about and it was not uncommon for Rob to intentionaly funnel a formation just to see the look on everyone's face. He would do a back flip through the round without letting go and we would all Zzzzzzz in a dangerous funneling flailing mass of uncontrolled meat... and loving every minute of it.
Rest my old friend and mentore.