Donny

[hippietim]

i'm thinkin' something like this... either on my shoulder or my ankle...

Donny loved that guitar Lori - he was so stoked when he got that one. I that'd be an awesome tribute!

[Shotgun]

Shit.

May god bless those who love and will miss you most, my friend.

And rock on, Donnie, rock on.

Keith

[Thor Von Clemson]

Rest In Peace...

I never really knew the guy but it seems like he had quite an impact in many people's lives, especially around the JCF.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who needs them.

[jim777]

Rest in Peace Donny

[Brad68]

YOU guys rock!!

My name is Brad, I'm Donny's uncle.
I'd like to make sure all of you know hom much our family appreciates your kind words, but it's no surprise that he had so many friends here or anywhere.

When donny was a kid, I being his moms step brother, I was not around as much being 14-17 myself and off thinkning I knew some shit. I was usually in my bedroom rocking some Scorpions, Ozzy, Def Lepard, G & R, Quiet Riot.... But somehow, we ended up with a connection not many people on my side of the family had. I was odd, I loved rock, yet played baseball my entire life.
Everytime they came over he always looked so bored. Turns out he was actually sick his whole life and they just didn't know it until he got sick when he was 10. So I at least had something to talk to him about, the Mariners and Griffey, and some rock. When he was in the hospital I'd either give Denise baseball cards to give him or when I was brave enough I actually went down to see him. You usually have to twist my arm to get me into a hospital to see someone very sick.


I read your entire thread, just incredible. I'm glad you senior members took him under your wing and looked past his BS. He was just being Donny, he lived through some shit people 3x his age never saw, and he has an opinion and he's gonna tell you.
It was also great to see that reading the posts you would not be able to tell what music you guys listen to, what lifestyle you lead, we are all the same when it comes to real life. We all have family and we all live and die.

Recently I was poking around his myspace only to find out he loved Ratt and Poison. So I posted a comment on his page about how I saw them on the same bill when I was 17 or so (Ratt/Poison). And of course I got the year wrong, and without skipping a beat he corrected me on something that happened when he was like 5 or 6. It just goes to show you what a great memory he had, and how much he loved music. He always had the answer, and if he didn't he'd call or text Lori in the middle of the night to find out.

Once when Donny was into collecting all those baseball cards, his dad Robbie told him "If you don't stop spending all your money on cards your gonna end up like you uncle Brad". That would be having a room full of cards. Well he sure did end up with a room full of cards, and guitars, and whatever else could be collected. It was always something, I'm sure he sold some cards to get the next guitar and so on......
Looking back on it, I think now "I hope someday I can grow up to be like DONNY".
He did so much with the time he had left, and I think he knew it after spending time in the hospital at 13-14 waiting for a liver.

Take what you will from this. People ask why a God would let someone so young die. Well if it doesn't change your life, and you don't take something from it, then yes, he died in vain. Start living your life like he did, make him proud. Take the time to visit your family, show them you love them before they are gone. I cherish the last time I saw him and could talk to him (his 25th birthday weekend).
I look up to a few people in this world for how they conduct their lives, and two of them came from my step family, my dad that raised me and Donny. It's no wonder, cause they have the same genes, The Nelson / Swanstrom family helps people first. When I was young I didn't understand that side of my family, we grew up in such different worlds, but now I know it's one big world and we are all the same.

Sorry for the long ramble.... but I wanted to express some thanks to one of Donny's many faimilies. THANKS

-Brad

[Firebird V]

Welcome to the board Brad. lots of 70's 80's metalheads around here. Stick around!

Thanks for your words.

Donny is probably jammin' with Robbin Crosby right now. Everyone in Heaven knows about the JCF now. The secret is out.

[kelly user]

My name is Brad, I'm Donny's uncle.
I'd like to make sure all of you know hom much our family appreciates your kind words, but it's no surprise that he had so many friends here or anywhere.

When donny was a kid, I being his moms step brother, I was not around as much being 14-17 myself and off thinkning I knew some shit. I was usually in my bedroom rocking some Scorpions, Ozzy, Def Lepard, G & R, Quiet Riot.... But somehow, we ended up with a connection not many people on my side of the family had. I was odd, I loved rock, yet played baseball my entire life.
Everytime they came over he always looked so bored. Turns out he was actually sick his whole life and they just didn't know it until he got sick when he was 10. So I at least had something to talk to him about, the Mariners and Griffey, and some rock. When he was in the hospital I'd either give Denise baseball cards to give him or when I was brave enough I actually went down to see him. You usually have to twist my arm to get me into a hospital to see someone very sick.


I read your entire thread, just incredible. I'm glad you senior members took him under your wing and looked past his BS. He was just being Donny, he lived through some shit people 3x his age never saw, and he has an opinion and he's gonna tell you.
It was also great to see that reading the posts you would not be able to tell what music you guys listen to, what lifestyle you lead, we are all the same when it comes to real life. We all have family and we all live and die.

Recently I was poking around his myspace only to find out he loved Ratt and Poison. So I posted a comment on his page about how I saw them on the same bill when I was 17 or so (Ratt/Poison). And of course I got the year wrong, and without skipping a beat he corrected me on something that happened when he was like 5 or 6. It just goes to show you what a great memory he had, and how much he loved music. He always had the answer, and if he didn't he'd call or text Lori in the middle of the night to find out.

Once when Donny was into collecting all those baseball cards, his dad Robbie told him "If you don't stop spending all your money on cards your gonna end up like you uncle Brad". That would be having a room full of cards. Well he sure did end up with a room full of cards, and guitars, and whatever else could be collected. It was always something, I'm sure he sold some cards to get the next guitar and so on......
Looking back on it, I think now "I hope someday I can grow up to be like DONNY".
He did so much with the time he had left, and I think he knew it after spending time in the hospital at 13-14 waiting for a liver.

Take what you will from this. People ask why a God would let someone so young die. Well if it doesn't change your life, and you don't take something from it, then yes, he died in vain. Start living your life like he did, make him proud. Take the time to visit your family, show them you love them before they are gone. I cherish the last time I saw him and could talk to him (his 25th birthday weekend).
I look up to a few people in this world for how they conduct their lives, and two of them came from my step family, my dad that raised me and Donny. It's no wonder, cause they have the same genes, The Nelson / Swanstrom family helps people first. When I was young I didn't understand that side of my family, we grew up in such different worlds, but now I know it's one big world and we are all the same.

Sorry for the long ramble.... but I wanted to express some thanks to one of Donny's many faimilies. THANKS

-Brad

some powerful words brother......... me and donny butted heads one time, but he was a good guy. , see you in a while donny.

[guitarsjb]

R.I.P Donny. Welcome Brad, great post. Thanks for sharing.

[Cleveland Metal]

Thanks for sharing that Brad. Glad you could come by and be with us a moment.

[Shawn Lutz]

nice post Brad and thanks for sharing that with us

[Brad68]

Thanks again guys.

He's already fucking with me. I recently lost a bunch of weight (60 lbs) and started running again (22 years after HS track). And this morning I took the day off to clear my head from the BS of work, and I go and get my starbucks (my only eating vice) and when the lady asks if I want anythign to eat, I blurt out "sausage egg muffin". I haven't had one in years, let alone at starbucks. Took me a sceond to realize what I had said, then I just just laughed and went with it knowing he was fucking with me. It was so tasty.......

Well, I made many life changes since his grandpa (my step dad) died in 2004. And running again was one of them. I also bought a guitar since most of my family can play something , I thought I should give it a try. I've had it 4 months now, and haven't picked it up yet. I think I will.
It's just a lame Warlock bass, but if I was gonna buy a cheap one to learn on, I at least thought I should have something my favorite band played. Nikki Sixx.......

[zeegler]

Thanks Brad. I feel I know Donny a little better now.

[kelly user]

Thanks again guys.

He's already fucking with me. I recently lost a bunch of weight (60 lbs) and started running again (22 years after HS track). And this morning I took the day off to clear my head from the BS of work, and I go and get my starbucks (my only eating vice) and when the lady asks if I want anythign to eat, I blurt out "sausage egg muffin". I haven't had one in years, let alone at starbucks. Took me a sceond to realize what I had said, then I just just laughed and went with it knowing he was fucking with me. It was so tasty.......

Well, I made many life changes since his grandpa (my step dad) died in 2004. And running again was one of them. I also bought a guitar since most of my family can play something , I thought I should give it a try. I've had it 4 months now, and haven't picked it up yet. I think I will.
It's just a lame Warlock bass, but if I was gonna buy a cheap one to learn on, I at least thought I should have something my favorite band played. Nikki Sixx.......

is that pic in black and white, because thats the darkest rosewood i have ever seen.

take it slow, no need to rush something as hard as music.....

[Hotrod]

Rest in peace brother. You will be missed.

[Brad68]

is that pic in black and white, because thats the darkest rosewood i have ever seen.

take it slow, no need to rush something as hard as music.....

Black and white photo, but it's just a gloss black painted bass. BC Rich Bronze Series.

Time to start thinking of adding to my sleeve tattoo. Donny will find a place in it somewhere.