| Jeff and I would like to thank
all of our Jeep Family
friends. Thanks for your support, thoughts, prayers, all the flowers, and
food.
Some of you were even out of state and
still reached out to us. You all are amazing. We would like to share with
some that weren't able to make it that there were over 300 people attended
and the procession was about 6 miles long. As usual Jeffrey had made an
impression that day to. It also showed us how much of an impression he had
made on others. Our family was overwhelmed with how all the Jeep &
unlimited clubs pull together as a big family with their love and support.
We will still need it and know in our hearts it will always be there.
Please feel comfortable around us. We look forward to those infamous
campfire talks. Talking, writing and sharing is how we are going to get
through this. (as you can see, I guess I like to write). I know you all
don't know what to say to us but it's ok. You all being our friends says
it all.
In closure of reading this, just remember
that Jeffrey did more and experienced more than anyone could just imagine
even thinking of wanting to do some of the things he did.
He soaked up life and we believe he got
his cup full. As I said that day. One of our light bulbs has just blown
but there is no empty socket. It is filled with lots of love and wonderful
memories and also pay attention to your last words to your loved ones and
friends because you never know when those last words will be said.
No need to respond to this message
Just keep being our friends.
Love, Jeff, Ellen, & Nikki |
One of the hardest things to
accomplish growing up with the Ocala Jeep Club is letting everyone know just
when you're "all grow'd up." Harder yet when both your parents own and
drive Jeeps and regularly remind you that they've been doing it longer and
better as they cruise by in the mud while you sit waiting to be pulled out. But
attacking life on his own terms has always been the way for Jeffrey Priest.
Cutting his teeth on a moth-eaten Kaiser CJ5 that he terrorized the animals on
his family homestead, Jeffrey wanted to build his own "Southern Lowrider"
when he turned 16. Working in his father's shop, Jeffrey built a '95 YJ
which arguably has more combined off-road experience than it's driver. The body
is from Bill Lanman's rolled '92 YJ. Opal Lanman's '95 YJ donated its frame, 2.5
liter 4 cylinder, AX-5, and NP231. A narrowed Ford truck Dana 44 front axle and
a AMC-20 rear axle from a full-size Cherokee (both Las Cruces-tested by Jeff's
dad) are mounted under sprung-over leaves and a MORE shackle reverse kit.
Lockrite'd 4.56 gears spin 36x12.50 Swamper SX's on Rockcrawler wheels. The tub
was treated to a 3" body lift, TJ flares, homemade rock bars, bumpers, tire
rack, and a modified MORE rollcage. The Jeep swallows all the off-road abuse
that Jeffrey gives it thanks to a heavy duty slip yoke eliminator kit, Tom Woods
drive shafts, Moser axles, and a Warn M8000 winch. Neon green interior lighting,
a thumping stereo, CB, some well earned rock (and tree) rash, and a dried coat
of Florida mud are personal Jeffrey touches.
Jeffrey has proven himself to be a formidable and respected Jeeper, and has been
known to scamper through a mud hole or over a rock ledge that gave the "Big
Jeeps" a fit. So if you hear a screaming 4-cylinder banging against the
rev-limiter, pull over fast-Jeffrey's coming through, and he's "Locked
to Rock"!
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