Great disturbance in The Force - we lost Jess Roe this morning

[WolfeMacleod]

Jess Roe


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At 6pm yesterday, I got the call that Jess decided it was time to go.
I immediately go in the car and made the drive through horrid rush hour traffic.
I arrived to a large gathering of people at the ranch, and Jess laying in his bed.. old, tired,and broken.
I told him I was sorry I could not come on Tuesday, as I had planned. Told him that I loved him. His last words to me were "I love you too, son"
Jess spent part of his last day working - pricing knives and swords for an upcoming event and business that his apprentice will take over.

Jess held out a while longer, for his sister to arrive. When she got there, he spoke to her for a bit, then started to let go.
He fell asleep a little after 7:30, in the arms of a young woman he loves. I held his feet, so to help him walk the journey he was about to take. Other held his hands, so to guide him. Others held his arms, so to give him strength. He passed away in the arms of people he loved, and people who love him.

Jess Roe, you will be forever missed and in my heart. You passed away this morning at 3:57am, amongst many friends and family. A fitting time for you to go, given your love of guns.

Throughout our 28 years as friends, you have given and taught me respect, knowledge, patience, strength, wisdom, and the courage to carry on through hard times. You have guided me, urged me, pushed me, and taught me to do things I never thought possible. You have wounded me and healed me more times than I can count. You have molded me into the person I have become.

You were Mentor, Friend, Sensei, Father, Mother, and Brother, all rolled into one. I could never have asked for a better friend. There are no words to describe what you were to me and many others. You were The Force.

You apologized when I got married in 2003, and then you talked me out of killing a man in 2008.

You taught me knife and sword-making, and the arts of combat. You taught me what it really means to be alive.

If you were born a few hundred years ago, you would have been a king.

You were a great man.

May the women be plentiful, the swords be sharp, and the horses be fast.

I love you.

[drcoastline]

Wolfe your love and respect for your friend is very evident. I wish you and his family peace during this time. Please accept my condolences.

[Christien]

Wow, that's a really moving testament. Seriously. Sorry for your loss.

[Nostril Cheese]

Wolfe, if you need anything lemme know.

[craigster59]

So sorry Wolfe. I'm sure the knowledge that he was leaving men behind to carry on his legacy made the transition to the next level easier for him.

RIP Jess.

[Mericet]

It is really tough to lose a mentor and some one that means a lot to you. I am so glad you did have the time to say goodbye and the opportunity to be with him at the end.

[Baz]

Wolfe - thanks for your post and words of sincerity. You had a wonderful mentor and I know he was very proud of you. Carry on as Jess would wish.....

Best,
Baz

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Wolfe, if you need anything lemme know.

to sleep....


Some quotes from Facebook postings... I wasn't the only one...

Lorne Hill
Valhalla is under new management

James Wheeler Walters
Valhalla has gained one hell of a weapon master this day. To you we raise our mugs.
Battle on with grace, dance with the stars, and woo the Valkyrie.
Thank you for your kindness, bluntness, inspiration, and lessons.

Vickey Roller
Master Jess was a great man in what he did. He will be greatly missed by all. I was very proud to have met and known him may the Fayland greet and keep him safe till we all meet again. R I P

I believe this last one was written by Dragon Dronet's wife..

Wanda Piety posted to Jess Roe
10 hours ago ·

Early this morning, a GREAT man left this Earth for a place with God....his name was Jess Roe, and he was Dragon's "Dad". He is truly, the most amazing and wonder full man I have ever known.

Jess Roe was a feisty, saucy man, and a relentless flirt, even at the ripe old age of 90. Now mind you, even at 90 he looked 60, or less. He was afraid of no man...no matter how big or how strong. All he had to do was smile at them, with all his teeth filed to points, and most would shake in fear of what a man with fangs for teeth would do to them. And if that didn't work, he'd just beat them till they quit fighting, and go on about his business. He never held a 9-5 job, was mostly educated by the military, life's experiences, and true old school Asian Martial Arts Masters, in the Orient in the 40' and 50's (by whom he had his teeth filed). Through the extreme disciplines he learned over the decades, he became a true Master of many martial arts forms, and of life.

He lived on an Indian Reservation (the only white man the tribe ever allowed to own a piece of their land), and rode a horse every where he went, even to the bars at night. If he got too drunk, he would tie himself to his horse and tell his horse to take him home...which he did. He slept outside, under the stars every night, until he was too ill do do so, like the cowboys used to. He, obviously, lived on a ranch, was a master blacksmith sword/knife maker, had a beautiful dojo, that his students built for him on the ranch, and taught martial arts, hand to hand combat, hard body disciplines, weaponry, history, honor, integrity, and life skills.

The first time I met him was when we opened our SFX shop, Renegade Effects Group. At 80 years of age he rode a 750 Honda motorcycle down from Marysville, Washington, to Los Angeles, over 1200 miles, to come see us for our opening celebration. He stunk to high heaven the first time I met him, so bad in fact that when he walked through our 13K sq. ft. shop, you could smell him an hour after he left. So when he came back, I stopped him at the door, and told him if he wanted back in, he would have to shower, use deoderant, and wash his clothes. He smiled, said, "Yes, m'Lady," kissed my hand, and left. When he came back he looked like a shiny penny, and when I kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for honoring me, he looked like he would burst with pride. That day I fell in love with Jess...even though his teeth freaked me out, and he wouldn't quit flirting with me :-).

Over the years, I spent very little time with Jess, because when there was an occasion to do so, I sent Dragon to be with his "Dad", and I stayed behind to take care of our business. But...even though I spent little time with him, the time I have spent with my husband, Dragon, has given me a glimpse into the greatness of this man. Over the years, I was able to see how Jess took a young man of 21 years, who was seriously depressed, extremely angry, extremely disillusioned with the cruelty of humanity, suffering from PTSD, and very little self worth, and transformed him, with deep and unconditional love, strong boundaries, discipline, humor and unbridled protection, into the beautiful, gentle man I fell deeply in love with, and married.

The thing about Jess, is that he not only did that with my husband, but over the years, has done that with dozens and dozens, maybe hundreds of lost kids. Many of whom live with him at his ranch. He has taught the dying art of honor, the purposeful virtues of honesty and integrity, the value of listening and observing, and choosing your words carefully, and the how to be vulnerable enough truly trust, love and care for all life.

With his richness of character, he transformed immature boys into real men, and naive, abuse girls into beautiful strong women.

Today the world has lost a human of great value, and I'm sad I will never get to dance the tango with him.

I love you, Jess, with all my heart, and will miss your presence on Earth, deeply.

Deepest, deepest thanks to Ernesto and his lady, wish I knew your name, for all the care and attention you gave Jess in his last days. Thank you to all who cared for him, loved him and helped to usher him into the afterlife. Party hard at his celebration...he would have wanted that....do it Jess style!

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

to sleep....

.

I didnt sleep for a few days after my dad died. I find solace in knowing my father is up there racing dirt bikes with Steve McQueen, banging Natalie Wood and laughing his ass off.

Jess seems like the kinda guy who would be doing the same in his own way. After reading about him, I'm sorry I didnt get a chance to meet him. Try to focus on how awesome the guy was. Apparently, they needed another badass in heaven.

Let's jam soon.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Apparently, they needed another badass in heaven.

Let's jam soon.

Jess spoke to a friend of his not so long ago. The friend, a Priest, told him that God would not let him into Heaven... Because he didn't want his Angels pregnant!

[Mrmerlin]

Sorry for the loss of your friend,
RIP, godspeed!

[pwd72s]

One hell of a man, judging by what I've read here. He will be remembered, which is the most we can ask for.