Memorials

Kirby (Lavoy) Thompson

This photograph of Lavoy was taken on Hallowe'en, but he didn't have to rent a costume -- he wore his own uniform from the team he played for, the San Francisco Trojans, whose annual charity game against the Sheriff's Department was a community event. The first things people noticed about Lavoy were his infectious grin and his Southern drawl. Lavoy was a Marine Sergeant, though he was demoted to Corporal just before his honorable discharge, the charge being "associating with deviants to the disgrace of the Marine Corps." For this "disgrace," the Marines jailed his lover.

Lavoy's life-partner, Stuart McDonald, wrote this about him:

    "Lavoy was a tender, loving, and supportive companion from the time we
    met on my birthday on July 25th 1983, until the time of his death. He
    cared deeply for many people and taught them, by example, what true
    love is all about. He held no ill will towards anyone, gave of himself
    and his possessions freely, forgave readily, and never hurt anyone
    deliberately. He knew how to have fun, and was just a joy to be around.
    And he was darn handsome. For all he gave, Lavoy won the affection of many
    loving and devoted friends--who miss him more that he could probably ever
    imagine. He was by far the best thing that ever happened to me."

Steve Sims

I took this portrait of Steve not too long before he left Portland to pursue his career as a physical therapist. Steve was one of our oldest friends . . . we met him soon after we became a couple. He was our roommate for awhile, and knew us at our our best and our worst. He had a wonderful combination of spirituality and earthy humor. Steve finally ended up in Albuquerque, where he died.