How do you say goodbye to a family member and loved one? John Eric moved to Gainesville, Fl. from Columbia, Mo. in 1972 along with the rest of the family in tow-except his big brother. I was a freshman in College @ MU and already had found my soul mate. So 25 years ago-Trudy and I followed the family down to Gainesville.
Our whole family was involved in music, my sisters played the flute in the GHS Marching Hurricane band, my sister Shaun followed with a French Horn in hand, and John Eric-found the drums to his liking. Dad, besides being a MD, also played Dixieland Clarinet while Mom used to play the piano and sing us all to sleep at night!
I myself learned to play the Alto & Tenor Sax, Flute, Clarinet & Bass Guitar. Needless to say when we all wanted to jam, the music was always centered around myself, my father and my brother playing Dixieland. But Eric was always right in the middle of it-providing the rock of time, which he demonstrated with any one of a myriad of musicians in and around Gainesville.
But most of all John Eric was my brother. He would do anything for me. Mainly he helped me with the house hold chores.However, when lightning hit our house and it sparked a fire-Eric was there for the clean-up. When we all got together for the holidays-Eric surprised my wife in doing the dishes. He would blow off my roof, help replace my cedar siding then help paint it. It didn't matter what the job was-he would do it! He was there for me when I was fighting cancer, sitting up all night to keep watch over me, his big brother.
We are very saddened and distraught over losing our little brother. We are still not sure what happened to accelerate his demise in this world. It will be weeks, months, before we know, but his memorials will serve to help us celebrate our little brother's life and those so many of us that he touched as a musician and as a giving human being!
Steven Lee Bingham, PhD (Doc B)
