At the slow march, with muffled drum

[pecunium]

A friend of mine died this morning. About 24 hours after the poker game at the New Year's party he wasn't at ended. His wife was there, and didn't mention that he might be doing poorly, which it seems he wasn't.

Frank Kelly Freas, artist, raconteur, gentleman.

I know his daughter, and as a result, came to know him. It was my pleasure to do him a good turn at a convention (a shipment of a book of his artwork had gone missing, I managed to find it, in a corner of a loading bay, in the bowels of the hotel). Jacqui, his daughter, took me to meet Hal Clement, while Kelly dedicated a copy to me. Since I was still in my mid-teens, the money to buy it was beyond me. More impressive, it was his idea for Jacqui to take me to meet Hal, whom I had only started reading a short time prior.

He was an elfish man, bright of eye; quick of smile. His art is wonderful. From Mad Magazine, to the Skylab Patch. At least one of his paintings was used as a Pink Floyd cover. At conventions one can see his work, from sketches, to cartoons, to the finished product. With warts, and after the surgery.

He of all the people it has been my privilege to know, is one of the few of whom I can say, "I never knew him to do a mean thing."

Comments

[bella-peligrosa.livejournal.com]

Such fitting words. My prayers and sympathies to you and his family.

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry, Terry.


Susan in St. Paul

[pdx42.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss, and for your friend's family as well.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

I missed meeting him a time or two at conventions, and from everything that people are writing, I can see that I missed a lot. I'm sorry for your loss, and everyone's who was his friend.

[pygmymetal.livejournal.com]

My condolences. :(

[moropus.livejournal.com]

My condolences, thoughts and prayers.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely obit. People's good deeds live on.

[cluefairy-j.livejournal.com]

Oh no. That's sad. I remember meeting him at the Worldcon in Phoenix when I was what, 8? 9? I sat on his lap while he drew me a picture on one of the buttons I was wearing...*sigh*

[trinker.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing that, Terry.

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

May his memory be eternal.

[oldnarkoverian.livejournal.com]

Frank Kelly Freas. Gosh, I remember him from Mad magazine in the early 60s, and from covers of the Mag of F & SF. A real talent.

[jennae.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful memorium. Sorry for the loss, he seems like a great man.....and it's possible that I have one of his pictures hanging on my living room wall....