R.I.P. Efird's Toyota Build

bluebuggy

bluebuggy

New Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2007
Location
China Grove
Last friday night, a NC4x4 member (Jonathan Efird) and a best friend of mine and "fidofab" passed away. A bunch of guys were hanging out around a bonfire, someone began dousing the fire with a 5 gallon lacquer thinner can. The fire very quickly followed the liquid back up into the can and subsequently exploded. The bottom blew out and the remaining thinner flew back on Jonathan. Two other guys eventually extinguished the fire and called for an ambulance, the paramedics arrived and realized the severity of his burns (3rd dergree from waste to the top of his head). When he was engulfed in flames from the waste up, Jon breathed in burning his esophagus. He died in the helicopter on the way to Baptist hospital in Winston Salem, NC.

My intention of this thread is to remember Jon, but also make all of yall more conscious of playin around with gas on a fire. I know every guy that has walked the face of this earth and been beside a fire has thrown gas on it, and it is fun... but man, its just not worth it when your best friends dad is crying on your shoulder because his son died from someone playing around.

We were supposed to go ride motorcycles this weekend, but now he's gone... make sure your friends know you appreciate them, take a bunch of pictures when you're wheeling, and please dont take any minute for granted... That never meant much to me until now.

Jonathan or "Efird" as all of his friends called him was in the process of building a Toyota truck to take wheeling. We (all of his friends) decided we were going to finish his truck the way he wanted it and give it to his parents. His dad even said he was going to take it wheeling with us. I don't have any pics of his current truck so here are some of the last Toyota he built. As soon as we get started on his truck we will start posting pics.


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bluebuggy said:
My intention of this thread is to remember Jon, but also make all of yall more conscious of playin around with gas on a fire. I know every guy that has walked the face of this earth and been beside a fire has thrown gas on it, and it is fun... but man, its just not worth it when your best friends dad is crying on your shoulder because his son died from someone playing around.
Click to expand...

Hate to hear about this. I know this will make me think twice next time I am in a situation like that. Good luck on the build.:beer:
 
I'm sorry to hear about your friend, that's terrible. Hope the build helps your buds dad find a little happiness down the road. Good luck.
 
I didn't know Jon all that much outside of wheeling. A great guy and lots of fun to hang out with. Always out wheeling and always willing to help out in any way possible. He will be missed and I'll never forget him. My condolences go out to his family and friends. If you have any info on services for him please PM me with the details. Bret
 
I think I saw that truck @ The Farm.....sorry for the loss of your friend.
 
sorry for yours his friend's the community's and the family's loss.
And a good point to be sure.

Good luck with the build and keep us updated.
 
hey guys the pics I posted were of his last truck. He sold it some time last year so the person you know may not be Jonathan. I just wanted to clear that up.
 
Wow man jonathan?I almost bought that rig from him,talked to him a few times and at uwharrie,thats terrible man Ill keep his family in my prayers.
 
sorry to hear about this. its a horrible thing to have happen. prayers to the family
 
Very sorry to hear about your freind. My prayers to his family..



I moved it to Chit Chat so all will be sure to read this
if it turns into a build thread with new truck I will move it back to the build section
 
That's just a tragedy. Hopefully lessons will be learned and people will be better for it. Jonathan was a relative of our school librarian and close family friend of our school nurse. They e-mailed our staff to ask for prayers and shared what a great person he was. Rest in peace.
 
That's a tragic loss for sure. I think it's great that you are going to finish his project. Keep a separate post of what's going on with the build. I am sure there will be many things needed to finish it. Maybe posting the needs will inspire some from here to help out and donate.
I would like to be a part of a ride in his memory too. Maybe an annual thing to donate to some sort of charity.

First things first though, how is his family set? She gonna be OK financially?
 
Wow. The bad memories that fly through my mind. The scar covered by the skin graph on my leg is still numb today. And the only spot on my body besides my head that won't grow hair. :shaking: Been there and done that but roled it out on the ground in time to see another day. But my lesson was nothing compared to many that face the world under a donor's skin. Everybody knows a burn victim. Let other lessons be your own...
There's never room for granted thoughts. Cautious planning and plain being careful are now the characters looked up upon to my icons and heros. Keeping things simple is always best. And there's always time for the guaranteed methods of getting something done.

My thoughts and prayers go out. That's a bad way to loose someone cause of the pain and suffering he probably indured. So sorry to hear about this...
 
Thanks for starting the thread. I believe this will only bring our group of friends closer.... from you to Andy, Bettis to Abernethy, and make each of us open our eyes and see all that we have to be thankful for. I have always thought of us as if we were more brothers than simply friends and I now am certain... we are brothers.

Jonathan Efird

CHINA GROVE - Jonathan Edward Efird, 21 of Stirewalt Road, passed away Friday evening, January 16, 2009 from injuries received in an accident. Born July 1, 1987 in Rowan County, he was son of Dennis Edward and Kay Goodman Efird. Jonathan was a 2005 graduate of South Rowan High School and received a degree in Automotive Technology from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 2008. He was employed in the warehouse of Food Lion and was an active member of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church where he served as usher. Jonathan loved people and his job. He loved being outdoors including hunting, fishing and playing golf. A special hobby was riding his motorcycle and going wheelin' with his buddies. Jonathan was preceded in death by his grandfather, Grady "Pete" Efird. In addition to his parents, Dennis and Kay Efird with whom he made his home, Jonathan is survived by sister Angela Nance and husband Josh of Peachland; grandparents Elmer and Evelyn Goodman and Virginia Efird, all of China Grove.

Service: 1/22 3 PM Thursday at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church conducted by Rev. Joseph Tallent, pastor. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation: 1/21 6-8 PM Wednesday at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove. Memorials: Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, China Grove, NC 28023. Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove is assisting the Efird family.
 
So sorry to hear about this, what a terrible loss so early in life. My prayers definitely go out to his family and friends.

I lost a good friend a few years back from a freak accident while he was chopping wood, it was a tough time. Always try and think about safety even in the most innocent things you do.
 
Sorrry to hear about your loss. I remember seeing that truck in tellico in the fall of 07. I had a wheelin buddy that passed away in a motorcycle accident about 5 years ago. At first I could not bear the thought of seeing his truck in my driveway, (85 4runner) but eventually when the pain became less severe I did buy and wheel it like he would have wanted me to. I have since sold it to another buddy who also new him, and he continues to wheel it hard. I hope building his current rig will bring you some closure. If you get a chance read Acts 24:15.
 
Sorry to hear about this tragic accident, prayers for his family and friends. My sister told me about this accident sunday and just noticed this thread today.

Went back thru my pm's cause I knew he been to the house.
 
my thoughts and prayers go out for all involved. Very young and sad to hear somthing like this. Never got to meet him but i drooled over that toyota many of times...Really makes you think.
 
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