Lonesome Louis

Jeff MEyers

Here’s a testimonial for you.

To the family of Jeff Meyers,

With heavy heart and many fond memories of Jeff, I want to offer my condolences and respect.

One never knows exactly what to say at times such as this, but I do want you – each and every one of you – to know in a personal and direct way that I care, and that you are very much in my thoughts and prayers.

Although none of us has ever met, because of Jeff I do feel that I know you. This is said in the sense that I knew Jeff, knew what kind of man he was, and thus know the kind of people from whom he came. Men of Jeff’s character and accomplishments are rarely formed and developed without loving family members – young and old – as strong parts of his life.

True, Jeff tended to be a quiet man, at least he usually was when working, the only context in which I really knew him. But in many faraway places with strange sounding names, in hellholes and other datelines around the world, we sometimes spoke of home. I know from these conversations how much he loved his family.

I also know these things about him:

Jeff was an exceptionally hard worker and one of the best professionals with whom I have ever had the honor to work beside. He was talented and took great pride in always striving for excellence.

Over the years, in sunshine and storms, I have been honored to work with many of the world’s best at what they did. Jeff, simply put, was the best of the best at what he did.

And he was brave. He was at my back and side in the war zones of Bosnia , Afghanistan and Iraq , where the real and present danger of possible death was constantly near. Through every nightmarish situation – and there were many – this man never flinched or faltered. When the pressure and fear were greatest, Jeff was oak and iron. He was steady, steely, focused – relentlessly concentrating on what he had to do, and on looking out for the safety of others, including me. With Jeff around, you never had to worry about your back. He had you covered, and you knew it.

These things about him were in contrast to, and complimented, his gentle, caring side. He was wonderful with refugees, especially children, and was always especially respectful to women – whatever their race, creed, or religion. He was a gentleman and no man, woman or child had to speak his language to know it.

My admiration for and appreciation of Jeff knows no bounds.

May God rest his soul. And to each of you, in these hours of grief and need, may He bring you peace – and may you find solace in the sure knowledge that Jeff was a superb professional, a credit to his country – and a man who brought honor to his family.

- Dan Rather

This is high praise indeed.

I always loved, admired and respected Jeff. I usually only got to see him once a year if I was lucky. He always had some good stories to tell.

Jeff fronted Xebec through most of the life of that band; over 15 years. He was an excellent singer, but more than that, an entertainer, an M.C, and a showman. He played a mean harmonica and could do voices, any sound effect you ever heard a human do, and some only he could do.

I don’t think he was ever married, and he had no children. With his occupation, it was nigh impossible to have much of a continuing relationship, let alone raise a family. He had a home, but wasn’t there often. He delayed his gratification and pursued a career of great challenge and adventure, and did good work.

Surely he was looking forward to retirement, of putting his feet up and writing those memoirs, and relieved that he didn’t have to visit those hellholes any more. He was wise in youth, and he gained wisdom about the world, which he could’ve shared on a broad scale.

Jeff’s life was cut short, indeed. But we think of some of our former bandmates, who were as talented as Jeff, and still living, who haven’t accomplished anything noteworthy in their entire lives. We realize that Jeff lived a very full life, regardless of its brevity.

Would you pay for a friend’s widow’s daughter to go to college? Jeff did. That speaks volumes of the man he was. Many people of greater means than Jeff wouldn’t be that generous; he did it out of love. He knew that the greatest blessing is to be given the opportunity to help someone. He loved his family, his friends, his work, and he loved this world and the people in it, despite the disheartening things he had to cope with while bringing us the news.

He was beaten by some thugs about a month before he died, but treated and released. Two days before his death he was found unconscious, rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery for a blood clot on the brain. We may never know the cause of his death, whether it was a result of the head injury or not. It doesn’t matter now in the grand scheme of things.

Jeff was taken home to Bartlesville and cremated. Plans are in the works for a large musical tribute to him in Norman September 17th. Many of his former bandmates and colleagues will participate, and it’s bound to be a great show. There will no doubt be many great stories also.

Around the same time, we also lost another old friend, Estle Mooney; owner of Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, our favorite gig. Mooney didn’t manage the club, he leased that job out, but he owned the building with it’s attached motel. He was a fun-loving good-hearted guy and will be greatly missed. He was also the step-dad of our previous drummer, Scott Mariner.

SATURDAY: ED’S HURRICANE LOUNGE?

UANNOUNCEMENTS

Cindy Bruce tells us there are still medical bills that haven’t even arrived yet. Donations toward Mike Bruce’s medical debts can be sent to The Samaritan Community Center/Attn: Medical Fund P. O. Box 939 Rogers, AR 72757. Cindy is on disability. Sales from Mike’s two albums now in release will help too. Soul Avengers is available at CDBaby.com and Smokin’ OP’s by Bob Seger with Teegarden, VanWinkle & Bruce is available everywhere things are sold. T, VW & B also did an album called On Our Way, which may be available too. It’s a good one.

The Zigs encourage you to forward this to everyone you have ever met. Anyone who would like to receive The Zig Gazette directly, or if you have changed your email address, send a blank email with “fresh meat” in the subject line to ziggazette@Excite.com. If you feel you have received this hysterical screed in error and somehow wish to be deleted, too bad. For entertainment use only – not to be taken seriously. Any correspondence we receive might end up in print. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this Gazette. If condition persists, consult your physician. Not shown actual size. Use with proper ventilation