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cruzberg
Cruiser Certified
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Feb 5, 2008, 8:49 AM
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More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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I came home to an email from Bubba Cruz (Marlin Smith) of Arizona yesterday and I have his permission to share the news with all of you. I had emailed him and Karen back in November when we had the chat reunion party, and it surprised me when I did not hear back from them, but figured they were busy as usual. I am glad he kept the email and got a hold of us now. Here is what he wrote to Jer and I:
This is the worst thing I could write to you.
My best friend, the love of my life, my Karen, died Christmas morning at 8:08 in my arms.
She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in mid August.
The cancer spread to her liver and her spine and to the femur of her right leg.
It just doesn't seem fair that someone who had spent her life healing should have to endure such awful pain.
Karen's sincere hope was that she'd live to see her last granddaughter, due in December.
She did, and held Sugar, and told her how beautiful she was, and how much she loved her.
We didn't renew PTCC, it didn't seem important anymore. Nothing much does without Karen.
Smitty aka Bubba Cruz
For the old timers from the golden chat era, you will remember Bubba as a person with such a sense of fun and great humor - Karen was often at his side when he was sitting at the computer participating in the chatroom. As LouR wrote to me last night - they were "two peas in a pod". They had one of those most amazing relationships, and it was always a joy to have any connection with them.
For two Cruise the Rockies - Colorado Springs in 2003, and the following one in Montrose-Durango 2004, a bunch of us that hung out in chat ended up at these events, including Karen and Smitty (Bubba). We had such a blast, many of us meeting in person for the first time, and feeling like we already knew one another so well. At Colorado Springs, Jer was just having his new PT custom painted et al from Pteazers, and no one was more excited than Bubba. He was so excited to see the end product in Montrose the next year. Don't know why he was so excited about our car when their own SPARKY was so beautiful, but that is the kind of generous people they are.
As you may imagine, Smitty is absolutely devastated, but I know how much he would love to hear from the old gang. Either post here and share your remembrances and express your condolences, or private mail me if you need his email address. He has a hard road ahead, and the comfort and friendship we can share may make a difference and help ease his way.
This association through PTCC has led to some remarkable friendships that will certainly go on long after the car is nothing but a memory. Our PT family is diminished by these losses, but thankfully we shared so many good times over these years, we can keep the memories alive. That way, no one is really gone if they are still in our hearts.
Rest in peace, Karen - you are missed so very much. Bubba, our hearts and prayers go out to you.
Marilynne and Jerry
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Cruzberg
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2001 Limited Edition Patriot Blue
Chrome belt-line
Chrome grille
'59 Caddie Tail Lights
Lexani wheels
CRUZN FUSION
PT Cruisers of Silicon Valley
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Posts: 1530 | From: Santa Cruz, CA USA
| Registered: Nov 29, 2001, 12:00 AM
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im4cruisn
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 4:39 AM
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Re: [cruzberg] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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That's sad news for sure Marilynn.....I only met Smitty once, in PHX, and we all had some good laughs. He and Gizmo Al were a real riot. They were truely two of the original PT Cruiser fanatics.
My heartfelt sympathy to Smitty and their kids.....and to all Karen's family.
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Posts: 277 | From: high plains of NM
| Registered: Aug 30, 2005, 12:29 PM
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Mylilcruz
Cruiser Certified
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 5:21 AM
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Re: [cruzberg] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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My heart felt condolences go out to Smitty and the family. Please know they will be in my thoughts and prayers!
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If you don't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!
Beverly
http://al.ptcruiserclub.org/alabama/ AL PTCC Website
 
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Posts: 1082 | From: Dethroned Way Back When......
| Registered: Jul 24, 2002, 12:00 AM
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Cruiser RN
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 6:22 AM
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Re: [cruzberg] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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 Our Heartfelt prayers go to Bubba Cruz and his family in this time of sorrow.Bubba is one of the original PT Fanatics,and it has been our honor to call him and Karen our friends......God Bless.......Mike and Ginny Casabianca
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Mike Casabianca
His: 2001 Black LE with Auto Transmission, BullDog Signs Flames, WeatherTec wind deflectors, cargo area mat, PT trash can, PT valve stem caps and Dart's coldair intake, chrome tail and headlight bezels, chrome bumper inserts, chrome license plate pillow, chrome fender trim, 1940's retro chrome on front and back fenders, door spears, chrome hatch door trim, chrome gas door, brushed chrome door sills, billet door pins, custom "BlueHaze" dash mat, MRK Group lugnut covers, dome light trim, etc. and the chrome goes on......
Hers: 2003 Patriot Blue Woody with Automatic Transmission, Bulldog Signs Eeyore, Cargo area mat, WeatherTec wind deflectors, PT valve stem caps, PT trash can, "BlueHaze" custom dash mat, and chrome tailpipe extension, "Old School" wood shifter knob, wood and chrome door pins, MRK Group interior knob and switch covers, door surrounds, and dome light trim, chrome door surround trim, white eeyore window decals, smoothie hub cap, wood eeyore plaques ....and the Wood goes on
http://community.webshots.com/user/mdcvmvc
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Posts: 2257 | From: Yonkers, New York
| Registered: Aug 21, 2002, 12:00 AM
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SmittysPT
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 10:11 AM
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Re: [cruzberg] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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Thanks for letting us know. My prayers go out to Smitty and I hope that the love that they shared together will stay with him forever and help him during the hard times. If we can do anything.....anything to help, please let us know.
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Jack Smith (Smittys PT)
Webmaster
Colorado Cruiser Club
(This post was edited by SmittysPT on Feb 6, 2008, 10:13 AM)
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Posts: 2750 | From: Colorado Rockies
| Registered: Mar 22, 2001, 12:00 AM
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Miss B
Cruiser Addict
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 1:32 PM
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Thoughts and prayers to Smitty, family and friends. I was very fortunate to meet them in Arizona in January 2003 at Supercruise and we became instant friends. With the help of Cruzberg I was able to go to Cruise the Rockies III and visit with Smitty and Karen again. I miss you my friend, I wish I was there to give my hugs and support. I will always cherish the times we had together.
Becky
Karen, Miss B & Smitty (Bubba Cruz)
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Photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/rallen9133
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Posts: 949 | From: Bristol, TN
| Registered: Jan 17, 2001, 12:00 AM
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WEBECRQQZN
Cruiser Certified
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 3:14 PM
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Re: [Miss B] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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Prayers and Well Wishes from Oregon to Smitty
Becky I have on My Wall the Picture of You 3 plus the one taken that night out front of the Restaurant with the Beautiful Az Sunset with Karen,Bubba, Ms Inferno,SuzyQ,Sweet Corn Lady,Cruzberg , Cruzdude,PTLuvbug,You and Myself(and there is another guy but his name slips my mind,you surely or 'Bergs got the same pic) !! Oh the Memories!!
 Karen is now..........."Cruising the Golden Hiway"
Mike from Milwaukie
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Posts: 1401 | From: MILWAUKIE OREGON USA
| Registered: Sep 28, 2001, 12:00 AM
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MICKEY41
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 4:53 PM
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Re: [Miss B] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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 Hi Becky and thanks for the pictures. Always nice to see someone you only know from writing on this forum. I am sad over the loss of your friend. It has been a sad time on the forum since we lost Aucruz. My regards to your friends family. Mickey
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2005 ELECTRIC BLUE CLASSIC
"Each day, silently affirm that you are the type of person with whom you would want to spend the rest of your life."
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Posts: 876 | From: Gilbert, Arizona
| Registered: Apr 24, 2007, 8:45 AM
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Lou R
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 5:14 PM
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Re: [cruzberg] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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The first time I went to a CTR, there was a picnic going on...Lighthouse and Bubbacruz were standing on a corner to flag me down, but I was so exhausted I whizzed right by them. How I could miss a small man paired with a giant waving on a street corner, I have no idea....
After a bit, we were to go back to the hotel and I just couldn't drive another foot. Karen volunteered to drive my car with me and the kids.
Now, I ain't petite and my seat is pretty far back. Karen, long and lean and she of the big smile, drove practically from the back seat. She hadn't driven a stick shift "since my youth" so it was more like bucking and jerking than driving...
Second time was to Montrose and no sooner do I get settled in than I see Bubbacruz and Karen. Two peas in a pod they were with their megawatt smiles and sweet natured ways. On the cruise to Ouray, Karen and I took off shopping while Gar and Bubba hung out. We found this little gift shop with these really cool quilt style Christmas items, snowmen, angels and, to Karen's absolute delight, a complete Nativity. Everything I ooh'd and ahh'd over she said, "Buy it, Lou!" (She was pretty persuasive). She ogled the Nativity, remarking that "Smitty's gonna kill me, but...." We met up with the spouses with our big bags full of stuff and all he did was roll his eyes and mutter something about no room in Sparky because of her shopping. The next day, going back to Montrose from Durango, we ran into them at a convenience store and Karen's waiting for Bubbacruz while he buys lottery tickets, because "Might as well-ya never know". We ended up just hanging out at this store in the middle of nowhere for a bit, with Karen and Bubba making us laugh. A lot.
Some people you can spend years with and not have anything stand out. Others, you can spend 5 minutes and it's a lifelong memory.
Thank you, Karen and Smitty, for our precious 5 minutes.
My deepest heartfelt sympathies to you.
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view our albums at
]http://community.webshots.com/user/garyger/1
Hers: 2001 Aquamarine Touring 5 speed w/gold accents
His: 2003 Inferno Red Touring 5 speed w/white accents
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Posts: 976 | From: North Brunswick, NJ US
| Registered: May 28, 2001, 12:00 AM
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im4cruisn
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 7:20 PM
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Re: [Miss B] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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Thank you SO much for posting those pics Becky....what great memories we all have from the last 8 years.
One of those pics sparked a memory I have of Bubba and Karen. I believe it was the Supercruise 2003 that we were all at, that Karen had made the COOLEST scrapebook. It impressed me and I went home and made my own scrapebook. I only wish it would have been as cool as hers.
Thanks for giving me a nice memory Karen....again, I'm so sorry for your loss Smitty.
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Posts: 277 | From: high plains of NM
| Registered: Aug 30, 2005, 12:29 PM
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justbob
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Feb 7, 2008, 9:30 AM
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Re: [cruzberg] More sad news from Bubba Cruz
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May God Bless Karen and Bubba.... Hugs and smiles
justbob and nancy
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Posts: 249 | From: Spanaway Washington
| Registered: Sep 25, 2002, 12:00 AM
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