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Sad News to Report


smokeyjo

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Jim Gahlen, one of the original HDT pioneers has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. He is currently in hospice care and it doesn't look good. He and his wife Val could sure use everyone's prayers right now.

Smokey & Pam
2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road
15 Jeep Cherokee

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Our prayers are with them also.

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Our thoughts and prayers also go out to Jim and Val..

 

Doug & Deaon

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We'll keep Jim in our thoughts as well. There are a lot of us following in his footsteps!

Dennis & Nancy
Tucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.

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(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06

and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)
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Jim and Val were the starters of the HDT Rally. Those of you new to the HDT world might find the following section on the HDT Rally site of interest. LINK.

 

There was a lot of hard work put into these initial Rallies. And, really, without the help of Kenny Doonan and his staff it is questionable if the Rally would have taken off like it did. Valerie and Jim did almost all the work on these initial rallies.....without them, I suspect there would not be the number of HDTers that we have today.

 

Our prayers are with Jim and Valerie.

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Living on the road since 2000

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We have been watching the situation unfold for the last couple of weeks, didn't want to post about it figuring it was Val's decision if she wanted to do so.

 

Extremely sad, our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim and Val.

 

Dave

Dave, Renee & furkids Casey & Miss Kitty
1998 Volvo 610 Straight 10 "Leather n' Lace"; Herrin bed w/Rampage motorcycle lift; 2010 40' New Horizons Majestic; 2008 Harley FLSTC; 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; 1999 Yamaha 4X4 Kodiak (that is NOT with us!)

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"I suspect there would not be the number of HDTers that we have today".....Jim got me started after I looked at his rig back in '06, he was also one of the nicest Hughesnet installers. Does anyone know where Jim and Val are ?

 

Regards

Gemstone

'06 Elite Suites, '08 Softail Classic, '06 Softail Deuce.

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"I suspect there would not be the number of HDTers that we have today".....Jim got me started after I looked at his rig back in '06, he was also one of the nicest Hughesnet installers. Does anyone know where Jim and Val are ?

 

Regards

Gemstone

They are currently in Arizona. Making plans to return to their house in South Dakota soon.

Smokey & Pam
2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road
15 Jeep Cherokee

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We hope things improve and we will keep them in our thoughts.

 

Do you think it would brighten up their day to maybe get a framed picture of the National HDT rally group photo and/or other rally group photos to show them that we are all thinking of them? We would gladly donate some money to that cause.

 

Dave

2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch
2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler
Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you!

 

Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/

for much more info on HDT's.

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Godspeed Jim! Val don't worry, Jesus let him take the wheel!

 

Curt

2001 Freightliner Century, 500hp Series 60, Gen 2 autoshift, 3.42 singled rear locker.

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2 & 4 Wheelers!

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Our motto "4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul!"

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Would Jim be interested in a drive-by? Let him know what his pioneering has begat? There's a lot of members in the Phoenix area, and it shouldn't take much to get something organized.

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

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Best wishes to Jim & Valerie, our prayers are added to many others.

Thinking of you now, God be with you both.

 

Rick

1998 VOLVO 610 VED-12 @ 425 HP with 13 speed, 22.5" rubber, TC Equipped, single 3.70 drive axle, 193'' WB. REESE, 30K 4 way rocker-hitch, Jordan Ultima 2020. Under-frame mounted Honda 3000 ei, Towing a DRV MobileSuites- 36TK3 with TrailAir Pin Box, a Yamaha Road Star 1700 on deck. http://diesel-gypsy.blogspot.com

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