Last Day

Here are the photos we found on Eric’s camera. They were taken in downtown Granbury, Texas the morning of August 30th.

Final Ride

Here are some pictures of Eric’s final ride

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Here is a gallery of all of Ed Peterson’s photos from today:

and here is Ed with Larry

here’s a link to Ed’s tribute to Eric:

http://web.me.com/edndc/Memorial/Eric.html

Thank you Ed.

…………………..Helen

More Photos

Ed Peterson sent me these great photos of yesterday’s service. Just click on any photo that you would like to see larger.

If any one else has something about Eric Raley that they would like shared as a post on this blog, please email me at helenasway@aol.com.

……………….Helen

Celebration of Life

How great it was to meet all of you and hear how Eric touched so many of your lives. Here are some photos I’d like to share with you.

…….Helen

Donations

DONATION INFORMATION:  For those of who would like to make a donation “In Memory of Eric Raley”, please read on………….

1st: Last Wednesday, the day before Eric left for Texas, he finished totally ripping EVERYTHING out of his front yard in anticipation of re-landscaping. This is why we believe it is a fitting tribute to finish this task for him. If you would like to be part of this lasting memory and help to finish Eric’s project, please call or visit:

Green Thumb – Super Garden Centers
1019 W San Marcos Blvd
San Marcos, CA  92078
760-744-3822
Please ask for:  Customer Service for Eric Raley’s Memorial

Note:  Susan and her daughter Meghan have picked out all the plants and things they knew Eric liked and would want.

2nd: Before Eric passed on, he was doing 2 things he loved–riding his Harley and spending time with other Christians (Jerry Savelle Ministries)

If you would like to contribute to Jerry Savelle Ministries, please click link below:
http://www.jsmi.org/

Blessing to you all,
The Raley Family

Memorial Service Information

WHEN: Sept 7th (Sunday)

LOCATION:

El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley
5600 Carroll Canyon Road
San Diego, California 92121
Phone: 858-453-2121
Fax: 858-453-0184

Click for map

Sunday, Sept 7th

Viewing/Visitation at 12noon-2pm

2-pm Services (Celebration of Eric’s life)

Reception afterwards…

Monday, Sept 8th

10am Burial

Memorial Service

This just came in from Eric’s wife, Susan:

Hello all,

Eric’s funeral is Sunday, September 7th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley.  There will be a viewing for those who wish to attend that, beginning at 12 noon.  The viewing is intended for all, not just family.  In Eric’s life, his friends were also his family.  Also, I’ve been assured that Eric does not look as though he’s been in an accident.  He looks good.

After the service there will be refreshments served.

The burial will be on Monday morning at 10 am.  We are asking the people wishing to attend this procession to meet at the chapel at 9:30 or 9:40.  Eric will take his final ride in a glass hearse pulled by a Harley.  It would be absolutely wonderful if the procession could include the rumble of many many Harleys.  He would love that.  At the graveside, we don’t have a formal service planned, but some words of prayer and goodbyes and then the lowering of the casket.  About 30 minutes at the grave.  It would be GREAT if lots of people could be in attendance.

I hope to see many of his beloved friends in attendance of both events and I’m hoping a large turnout of Harleys.

So there you have it.  I’m exhausted, but I am very pleased with the arrangements and the place I’ve selected for Eric’s body’s final resting place.  We all know that his real final resting place is eternally walking with the Lord, but he would love the spot I picked for his body.

God bless and thank you all for all your support and love.  I couldn’t have made it through his terrible time without everyone’s help.  Mostly, thank you so much for caring so deeply about my husband.

Susan

Exit Up

SkyRiders,
With hearts filled with sorrow and gladness we bring to you this news.
Eric Raley, a SkyRider went down while riding in Texas and we are grieved to lose him.
Praise Jesus, when Eric went down, his soul and spirit went up.

Eric was a SkyRider who made his exit-up on Saturday, August 30, 2008.

Many of you may remember him on Skyrider rides.
He also rode with Chariots of Light.
He met his wife Susan at a Black Sheep MC meeting.

It was on a trip to Texas, where he was riding with Chariots of Light that his motorcycle went down.
A white van pulled out in front of Eric.
Eric, laid the bike down and it high-sided and threw him into the van.
God had stationed a nurse behind Eric, who saw the entire accident.
This nurse assessed the situation and called numbers on his cell phone to reach someone.
She reached his wife Susan.
Eric was riding alone when he went down.
Please pray for Susan and all of Eric’s family.

Ed & I want to express how precious Eric was to us.
From the day we met Eric, he took a very special
place in our hearts.
A rare individual, life was just better when he was near.
We do not know if it was innate gifting or gifting that came with knowing Jesus.
We simply know how it felt to be in his presence.
For us it was like being close to Jesus when Eric was near.
He lived well in our hearts and minds.
Eric, you are a strong son and a soldier of Jesus Christ; we will miss you until we meet again.
We are blessed to have known you.
We love you Eric!Ed & DC
2 Corinthians 5:6-9 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Psalm 45:4 And in Your majesty ride on triumphantly for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); and let Your right hand guide You to tremendous things.

Eric & Susan Raley

From right: Mike Crow, Eric Raley, and Michael Warbritton at a SkyRider ride.

From front: Eric & Susan Raley, Don & Frostie Ralston, and DC Peterson at a SkyRider  lunch stop.

One of our favorite pictures of Eric at a SkyRider Julian ride.

As soon as we know the specifics of the services for Eric, we will inform all of you.
Blessings!

Ed & DC Peterson