Early Wednesday morning, August 9, 2023, Daniel Westphal (Dano), unexpectedly went to be with the Lord due to a heart complication. He was an incredible man, husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was a loving and loyal husband to his wife, Rosalie Mercado Westphal. An amazing father to his daughter, Danielle and son, Daron. He was always there for his family at all costs. He served in the United States Air Force in the 70s. Dano never missed the Welcome Home A hero with the Patriot Guard. He would be there for anyone who needed him. We will never forget his laugh and his smile. There will not be a day that he is not in our hearts. We find comfort in knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior.

GBNF

Jack "Miami Vice" Brandon joined the Denton County Southern Cruisers in August 17 2007, membership number 195092. Jack was born in 1947 in the Florence Nightengale Maternity at the original Baylor Hospital in downtown Dallas. Jack was very proud to be a native Texas.

Jack received his road name from "Miami Vice" as a result of an audit assignment he received from his employer, Univision. Jack spent many months in Miami, Florida investigating a curupt manager who was embezzling cash to fund his dog racing habit. Jack caught the culprit and thus he was ordained by the chapter as "Miami Vice". Jack served as Road Captain for the Denton County Chapter.

Jack served in the military at Ft Steward, GA in Company A, 3rd infantry division from 1968 to 1970. Jack received a Good Conduct Medal as a result of his work as Causualty Assistant/Spec 4.

Jack had great respect for the military and participated with the North Texas Patriot Guard. He served as Mission Coordinator for the Patriot Guard for burial service at the National Cemetery at DFW. Jack was buried at the DFW National Cemetery on May 15, 2020 in Section 18b, Grave 614.

Jack had a long and determined six year fight with Multiple Myeloma, a bone marrow cancer. Jack also suffered a massive heart attack in March of 2014. He under went a triple by-pass and aortic valve surgery soon after. He returned home to recover and to continue his fight with cancer. Jack began Hospice Care on March 29, 2019.

Jack passed away into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 30, 2019.

Jack is survived by his wife, Jeannie Brandon "Chatterbox", who made many trips with Jack on the back of his Gold Wing motorcycle. Jack was the father of two children Son, David and daughter, Carrie. He was also the Step-dad of Jeannie's three children. Jill, Jolene and Tom {US Navy, Ret.}. Jack was, Papa to 13 grandchildren, Emma, Anna, Madeleine, Jack, Jacob, Jennie, Elizabeth, Bryan, Katie, Madison, Hunter, Connor and Lexi.

We will always remember the great rides with Miami Vice and Jeannie. May you rest in peace brother, you will always be remembered.

Chuck "Kickstand" Meeks joined the Denton County Southern Cruisers in May 2004, membership number 195140. First time he rode up to the Sonic was on "Big Blue" a blue metal flake painted Victory V92 motorcycle.

Chuck was a small man with a great big heart. He loved the Southern Cruisers and it showed with the bear hug he gave you. He served the Denton County Chapter as a great friend, Second Officer, Road Captain, Tail Gunner, and seamstress.

Yes, Chuck did sew. Chuck would sew patches on our vests. We would pay what we could afford and Chuck would donate all the money he received, which was in the hundreds, to the kids of St Jude. The kids of St Jude were near and dear to his heart. He helped in the planning of many events like a rally, garage sales, and 50/50's just to name a few and that raised thousands of dollars for them. He even rode "Big Blue" to Memphis and met the kids and their families.

Chuck was a Vietnam Veteran. He fought for our country but never received a proper welcome home. Most of the Vietnam Veterans were greeted with protests and hateful words. He never held this against anyone but promised it would not happen again. He kept his promises by greeting every soldier he could coming off the plane at DFW International Airport with the phrase, "Thank you for your service and welcome home." Chuck did this every week for over 5 years.

Chuck was married to his soul mate and another Denton Chapter Member, Sharon "Li'l Bit" Meeks. Sharon passed away 4 months earlier from battling breast cancer. Chuck was holding her hand and by her side when Sharon passed on. A few days later, Lobo their beloved dog joined Sharon.

Chuck left an impression and memories that we will cherish forever. Chuck will be missed but never forgotten.

Welcome Home Kickstand!

Sharon "Li'l Bit" Meeks joined the Denton County Southern Cruisers in May 2009, membership number 195155. Her soul mate also a member, a former officer, and a Road Captain, is Chuck "Kickstand" Meeks. Sharon's road name of "Li'l Bit" was a good fit because she was a delicate beautiful lady. Once you got to know Sharon you would see the other side of her, a little bitty thing with a huge heart of gold.

Growing up she was the oldest of all her siblings so she grew up faster than they did. She put her family first and sacrificed her wants and needs for her younger sisters. As a young girl she loved dolls like any young girl would. Sharon never got to enjoy her dolls because she would give them to her younger sisters to play with. Over the years, Chuck helped Sharon recover her youth by starting an impressive doll collection with over 200 collectable dolls. As Sharon became ill, she thought of her sisters and started giving her doll collection to them to enjoy.

Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer February 2012. She fought a strong battle and never gave up hope. Even though the cancer was taking her strength away, the love and caring of her family, her SCRC family, and friends, kept her strong. Whenever she had a visitor, she would light up the room with her smile and hug.

We will all miss her smiles and hugs but we will never forget Sharon "Li'l Bit" Meeks, Denton County member 195155.

Sharon, may you rest in peace!

Jim was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on May 31, 1928, and adopted by the Harrigan's in Lexington. Along the way, he met the Kennedy's and even babysat Teddy. Jim attended The Henry Ford School for Boys in Sudbury where he met the school founder and industrialist Henry Ford. These meetings left a positive impression upon his entire life.

Being part of the greatest generation, he overstating his age so he could work his way through the Merchant Marines which then led him into 11th Airborne Division by war's end. Jim served in the Japan and Korea. He remained in Japan after his service and he met his wife Tetsuko "Terry" Kitani in 1955. Returning to the U.S. in 1961, he built a career in the metallurgical industry. Despite the hardship of living his life without his birth parents, he lived an exemplary life committed to family and community service.

In 1995, Jim and Terry moved to Carrollton to be close to their son, David, and his family. He served as a member of the committee for the Denton County Veterans Memorial. He spent every Sunday with the Denton County Southern Cruisers at the DFW airport greeting the troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, you would find him selling those iconic red poppies for the Carrollton VFW Post, raising money for the USO and other worthy causes.

Jim was recognized for his efforts and presented with an honorary membership to the Denton County Southern Cruisers, a motorcycle riding club. It was a membership he valued as much as the Elks and the Vets. He was given a road name of "Troublemaker" which if you knew him you would understand. He made many friendships in the club which became part of his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Terry, passing from this life on June 27, 2010. Theirs was a long and loving marriage.

In the summer of 2007, we met a man greeting troops at DFW Airport Terminal B, this humble man was retired United States Air Force Brigadier General James H. McPartlin, aka General Mac.

At a young age General McPartlin was the pilot "The Shamrock Special" a WWII B-17 part of the Eighth Air Force 91st Bomb Group (Heavy). General Mac told us about his plane, it had 3 pinups painted on the fuselage and the one on the tail was named Hollywood 337 painted by Jack Gaffney. By the time he was 23 years old, General Mac was Squadron Leader of the 401st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from April 25, 1944 to July 1, 1944. General McPartlin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster and an Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. The Royal Air Force honored him with a Battle for Britain Medal. James was a humble man and part of The Greatest Generation and it showed.

General McPartlin was born Nov. 20, 1918, in Dyer, Indiana and grew up in Pontiac, Michigan. He attended the University of Detroit. He served in the Michigan National Guard from 1935 to 1938. He later attended the University of Houston and was a graduate of the Army Command and Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He married Virginia "Ginnie" Saunders in 1941. Mrs. McPartlin died in 2004.

We met General McPartlin for the first time in 2007 greeting the troops at DFW International Airport. In April 1, 2008, General James McPartlin was given an honorary membership to the Denton County Southern Cruises for his participation in the Welcome Home program at DFW International Airport. He became part of our family and he was proud of it. He attended many of our events including the 2009 Texas State Reunion in Denton.

In October 25, 2012, General James H. McPartlin passed away surrounded by his family. Some links: write up of his passing in the Dallas News and a story General McPartline wrote.

We lost a brother and a very good friend on February 5, 2012. John served in the United States Army during the 60's. John will be greatly missed by his family and all of the Denton County Chapter.

We will always remember John for his warm smile, gentle nature, and his passion for St. Jude's. John was a regular on our weekly dinner rides and never missed an opportunity to Welcome Home our Heroes coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan at DFW airport. We thank him for letting us share a part of his life.

We lost a very close friend and a brother due to complications resulting from a Double Lung Transplant. Troy served in the United States Air force for 8 years during the 60's. We will remember him always with a smiling face and his sense of humor. Troy was always ready to ride. It didn't matter where or when. He was happiest on his Goldenwing. He also enjoyed greeting the troops coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan at DFW airport.

He will be missed by his wife Geneta, brothers Jim and Bob, and all of the Denton County Chapter #195. We will remember Troy for always being there to help when someone was in need, and dedicated to being honest, fair and friendly. We thank him for letting us share a part of his life.

We lost a very close friend and a brother as a result of a fatal motorcycle accident. He served in the United States Army with Special Forces for 13 years. He was a Masonic Lodge member both Scottish Rite and York Rite. We will remember Gary always with a smiling face and his sense of humor. He was always there to meet the troops coming back from overseas at DFW airport.

He will be missed by his wife Linda, son Michael and all the Denton County Chapter #195. We will remember the "Spirit of Tuddy" as the result of one of his favorite rides, "The Spirit Run". Gary led this ride to Gun Barrel City Texas to his brother's wateringhole called the "Hoot-N-Holler" where we got special treatment on spirits we were able to bring back home with us. We plan to make the Spirit of Tuddy live on and we thank him for letting us share a part of his life.

Lile Hayden Goodspeed Jr., 52, passed away peacefully at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, CO. His unexpected death was attributed to drowning while white water rafting on a river in Colorado called Clear Creek. Lile was born in Nocona, TX and served in the US Navy from 1973 - 1976.

If Lile wasn't working as a senior information specialist at Alcon Laboratories, he would travel extensively on his motorcycle, seeking for the next big adventure on the road. Lile was a compassionate and fun-loving man who touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his surviving wife, Listy.

Rich was born in Port Jefferson, NY on August 17, 1950. In 1970 he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. After serving his country he moved to Houston, Texas where he worked in the oil industry. In 1984 he moved to Carrollton, Texas and through hard work became a prominent business owner. One thing close to his heart during his life was motorcycling. It started in 1967 with a Honda 305 Nighthawk, then a Triumph 650 Bonneville, a 1962 Harley Chopper, a 2000 Yamaha Venture Millennium Edition, a 2001 Suzuki 1500 Intruder known as Suzi, and then another 2001 Suzuki 1500 Intruder which he referred to as Suzi II.

In 2004, Rich joined the Denton County Chapter #195. During that time her earned the road name of "Family Guy". If you ever met Rich, you'd know that he was a big guy, not only in size but in heart too. He not only looked like "Family Guy" but it was because the loved he had for his Family and Friends is why the name really fit him.

On Wednesday, November 22, 2006 Rich "Family Guy" Jaeger was taken from us. Rich was a good friend and a Great Ambassador to the Bike world. He was a high quality friend and he will be remembered for the leadership that he brought to this chapter. He will also be remembered for his willingness to help anyone when he could, and his marvelous spark of humor that could make you laugh so hard that your face would hurt. He will never be forgotten for he will always be in our hearts.

Remember, you were always a friend of mine!

Good bye my friend,
Members of the Southern Cruisers Denton County Chapter #195