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Jerry Van Dykes health |
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TheFlyingHammer
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Joined: 10/03/06 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Topic: Jerry Van Dykes healthPosted: 5/11/09 at 7:45am |
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news; I wish I could call everyone personally
and break this to you personally, but my grandfather means too much to too many people. Jerry's cancer has spread into his spine and his oncologist is giving him a matter of months to live. He is in at-home hospice care and will no longer be receiving treatment for his cancer. He is aware of his situation and would like to make it to Kansas City for the games as an announcer. Please keep my family in your prayers as we are all praying for a miracle. I just thought I should make everyone aware so that this doesn't come as a surprise because I doubt he's telling people. Much love, Becky Van Dyke |
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He who falls in love with himself has no rivals.
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JWC III
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:49am |
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I'll truly sorry to hear about that. Jerry had done much to promote athletics in the midwest and make athletes feel like stars on the field. On a personal note, Jerry has been a good friend to me over the years and it was nice to help him out on his family tree search here in the area I live in. I hope he can make it to KC and I am proud to call Jerry a friend. We sure have had fun with the whole "Van Dyke/Van Vleck" clan stuff.
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Thom Van Vleck
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KCSTRONGMAN
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:58am |
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You all and Jerry will be in our thought sand prayers. I always enjoyed his commentary at the Mcpherson games. ET |
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WWW.KCSTRONGMAN.COM
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CLAYMORE
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:51am |
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to get to see jerry is one MORE reason to attend KC's games!!
FIGHT ON, JER! FIGHT ON!!! |
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fidelitas super alius, decus absque.
#dave glasgow# |
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COLEWINE
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:53am |
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Where there is life, there is hope. My prayers are with you. Bruce
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SCREW TIBET,FREE SCOTLAND
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D.J.
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:58am |
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I am very sorry to hear about this. Jerry commentated quite a few strongman and highland games I competed in, in McPherson, KS. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. |
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North American Highlander Association, Inc.
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Topaz
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 11:47am |
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I am not sure what the games will be without his jokes. You guys will be in our thoughts and prayers. We will say a group prayer for him at the opening of our competition on Saturday. |
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People will not remember the things that you did, they will never remember the things that you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
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Chad U
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 1:38pm |
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That's terrible news Becky. Sorry to hear about that, we'll pray for Jerry and your family. Hopefully we'll see him next month |
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It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man
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McSanta
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 1:44pm |
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That sucks. I have enjoyed my conversations with him before and after the KC games the last few years. He is in my thoughts and my prayers |
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Mark McVey
"The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances and demonstrations for impressions." -John Ruskin |
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shrogers
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 2:07pm |
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Our prayers are with Jerry and the rest of your family.
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# Steve
Coyote is always waiting, and Coyote is always hungry. |
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LarryBrock
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 2:40pm |
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I am very sorry to hear that. Jerry is a great guy and i wish him well fight hard Jerry we are all praying for you
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"No man Is entirely worthless, he can always serve as a bad example" Brian Oldfield
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Sean Betz
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 4:37pm |
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I'm really sorry to hear this. What a great guy. We will pray for him and his family. I feel privileged to have met and talked with the man. A true character of the sport. |
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Daniel McKim
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 4:50pm |
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To me, and many others, Jerry is one of the great announcers and ambassadors of our sport. The games in the Midwest would not be what they are today if it weren't for him.
I'm praying. >Daniel |
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littleone
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 4:58pm |
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Becky, Sweet girl, you give your Granda a gentle but big hug from his fellow Midget..... you know where to find me if YOU need something too. Let him know we are all thinking about him and have him and you in our hearts. He is a fantastic guy!! Love, Littleone |
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"Lead, Follow or get the Hell outta my way!"
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Jeff Ingram
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 5:17pm |
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Damn. Very sorry to hear this.
My prayers are with you Jerry. |
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Brent Abbott
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 5:56pm |
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Jerry is one of the guys who has made this a better place
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axelson
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:52pm |
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As a Colorado thrower I grew up in these games with Jerry. He lives near me and we have shared rides to and from games. I am so sad to hear the news of his illness. Jerry is a great guy and has done so much in his life. I love him dearly and admire and respect him. Boy, this news really hurts.
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JohnnieStone
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:13pm |
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I am sad to here this news. Jerry you will always have a
spot in heaven as all good people do. you are a shining light in our sport now and forever. |
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thanks Johnnie
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grasshopper
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Posted: 5/11/09 at 11:54pm |
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Our thoughts and prayers are with your here in Maine
brother. |
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"Breathe deeply. Refuse to be weak. Refuse to be sick. Refuse to die. Think strong and you will be." -The Mighty Atom (Yoselle Greenstein)
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nbafo
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Posted: 5/12/09 at 3:02am |
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I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll be keeping Jerry in my thoughts.
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Nancy Baker Fowler
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Dave Carl
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Posted: 5/12/09 at 3:33am |
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Jerry will be in our prayers.
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DAVE'S GRIDDLE COOKIES
~THEY MAY MAKE YOU THROW FARTHER~ |
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kspell
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Posted: 5/12/09 at 9:25am |
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I agree with Dana, I too started in the games with Jerry as an announcer. He has done too much to help the games that I have been associated with to put an amount on his time and efforts. Jerry came to see me every week that I was in rehab and kept my spirits high. He continually told me what an inspiration I was to him but in truth it was the opposite way around. When I first learned of his worsening condition a month ago I could not bear the thought of seeing and hearing him in agony. Jerry has truly inspired me. How can one man go through so much and yet be so positive; not only with the people around him but in his faith. I can tell you now that I will be on the phone with Jerry as much as I can for as long as I can. "Lo there do I see my father. |
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Cheers!
Kirk |
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The Jayster
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Posted: 5/12/09 at 10:48am |
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we will keep in in our thoughts and prayers, we'r all right there with you jerry, keep up the good fight lad jay/mandy |
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please keep robbin, the Conway Family and Frank Henry
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Angus Billy
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Posted: 5/16/09 at 11:44am |
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I met Jerry in my first games at Estes Park, CO (1998). What a great person he is. I've had so many great times with him at so many games over the years including last year at Highlands Ranch. Jerry has added so much to our sport through his announcing and helping at so many games.
Wish we could make KC. Linda and I will keep him and his family in our prayers. Bill and Linda Scruggs |
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Angus Billy
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Sammy68123
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Posted: 5/17/09 at 4:25am |
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As with everyone else so far, I will keep Jerry and his family in my thoughts and prayers. He has always been a wonderful, jovial, and upbeat person during the games I've participated in. My entry blank for KC is in the mail, so I will hope he can also make it and I can give him a hug in person. Teresa Merrick/Bellevue NE |
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Teresa Merrick
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JWC III
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Posted: 5/18/09 at 3:16am |
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I saw where Lori Henderson posted on another thread that Jerry won't be in KC. That can't be a good sign. That will be a disappointment only because I know many, including me, wanted to see him make that trip. My prayers are with Jerry and his family.
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Thom Van Vleck
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Lori Henderson
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Posted: 5/18/09 at 3:52am |
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I am planning to do a couple things during the KC games in honor of Jerry this year. We gave him an award a couple of years back so glad we did that. He is very dissapointed he will not be able to come this year. Kevin and I have known him and been able to call him a dear friend for about 13 years now. He stays at our house every year and last October even flew in for the weekend when we had our big party. So glad for that! Planning to go out soon to see him too. When I spoke to him last week he was very upbeat and told me he has had a full life and no regrets. What a wonderul thing to hear! I know he would like to see as many as possible. Like Dana and Kirk have said, Jerry has been there for so many that have had illnesses and accidents for so many years. Lori |
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jeffloosle
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Posted: 5/18/09 at 7:25am |
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Mesa 2000 was the first time I met Jerry. It was also the first time I'd seen an MC at a game. Had me laughing all game. He got to know each athlete quickly and always poked playful fun at Dave Duff, which made me laugh even more... A joy to be around at any venue! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!! |
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luuckystarz
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Posted: 5/18/09 at 7:26am |
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My thoughts and prayers are with Jerry and his family. Becky- what a magnificent grandpa you have. I am honored that I have gotten to know him the last few years. He has really made an impact on the midwest Scottish Highland games. Truely inspirational. Melanie |
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Nobody needs a smile as much as the person who fails to give one. =) Melanie
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