DANCERS WORLDWIDE SHARE THEIR STORIES & THOUGHTS ON THE PASSING OF GARY KENDALL aka GEEONE of the JABBAWOCKEEZ,1970-2007
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their thoughts & stories on the untimely passing of Monsters Faculty member Gary Kendall...he will be missed. Please see your tributes below...
December 14, 2007
The Monsters family received some very sad news today about the passing of Gary Kendall.
A member of the Jabbawockeez Crew, Gary Kendall a.k.a. Geeone joined the Monsters faculty just this season. We were fortunate to have him teach with us in Portland, OR in November where he received terrific reviews. He was also our MC at the 2007 Monsters in Santa Clara, CA.
The thing that stood out the most about him that weekend was when he told the dancers to "lose the angry face." He said, "I’m happy when I dance, so I can’t help but smile."
Seems to me that he did a lot of that and caused others to do the same.
Gary and the Jabbawockeez have been a huge & incredibly important part of Monsters since they first participated in our LA Show three years ago.
We ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We will share funeral information as we receive it.
We have set up an email address for you to share your thoughts, stories.... geeone@monstersofhiphop.com. We'll post up your comments as they come in on our website for the world to read.
We'll miss you Gary - thank you for being a part of our lives,
Peace-
Andy Funk
Gary Kendall aka Geeone
TRIBUTE EMAILS ABOUT GARY aka GEEONE
MAR 22, 2008
My name is Reggie Currie and I want all to know these thoughts.
To the memory of Gee I owe the creative flow of all my dance moves, the desire and drive of all I do in entertainment and the refusal to ever stop dancing!
Gary Kendall was like a little brother/big brother to me, a little bro as I was 3 years older and a big bro as I look up to him for creativity and style. There were some style I was more experienced at but he had away with puting it all together and making it flow seamlessly! He was a master of delivery and I can't think of a time when I did utilize his teachings when I'm performing. As I reflect, he was always motivating me to continue learning and perfecting all forms of dance.
I regret losing contact in the last year, not advising him on getting his health checked out and conforting him in his time of need!
I will be organizing another Tribute to Gee-One sometime soon so be looking out for an announcement!
Gary contributed his talent to several causes as well as many dance crews...here's a few he help me with:
Jam Patrol
Freestyle
Urban Groove
All of San Jose!
R.I.P. Gee
MAR 17, 2008
yES i hEARd AbOUt thE dEAth Of thE fORMER jAbbAWOCkEE...ANd i WAtCh thE ShOW ANd RECENtly hEARd thAt hE pASSEd AWAy...i jUSt WANt tO SAy hE lOOkS likE AN AWESOME dANCER...ANd MAy hE RESt iN pEACE....bRiANNA RAMOS.
JAN 03, 2008
I just found out this morning that Gary had passed. I didn't know Gary through dancing although I knew he was a dancer and loved it. I knew Gary because our families grew up together. Our families have known each other for many, many years. I'm so very saddened that to "see" Gary again had to be because of his passing on. And my sentiments to his mother and brothers. While growing up, life was very hard for him, before he found dancing...so now I am happy that he found peace and happiness in dancing, and now in his death. Most of my family is now deceased as well, but I am here and I more than remember Gary and his family when they were little boys...so I say good-bye Gary
I, as a dance, hiphop, and monsters lover am sending my condolences in
regards to the news I have received. I am very sorry to hear this and
my thoughts will be with the monsters staff as you all were his friends and
his family! However, I am almost sure he will be dancing with you at
every monsters event, even more so now! I wish everyone the best during this
hard time! I am very sorry. And thank you for letting me know, I am
honored you took the time to do so!
Ashley M. Weaver
Dear Gary,
Just wanted to let you know, that one day we'll all come up to heaven and hug you, cuz we all love you very much! You still bring happyness into my heart even though you're not here with us anymore.
I bet that even in a slightest way you've touched or inspired anyone who knew you, met you or heard of you. And that is so god damn amazing!
Tomino from Estonia
Dynasty Dance Zone would like to express our deepest condolences to Gary's family, friends and students. We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to take class from him in Portland, OR recently. His unique style and great personality made him a favorite. His love and passion for hip hop was inspiring. We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Bunky Williams, Sara Kleen and The Dynasty Dancers
It was great to know and to dance with such a wonderful person as Gary was.
R.I.P. Triinu from Estonia
Gee Jabbawockeez,
you were awesome dancer and teacher*.
P E A C E !
Grete from Estonia
He was amazing dancer and people. I have beeb only once in hes class and it
was something special!
I hoped that I can see this guy once more but ,, we never know what can
happen.
I hope Gary can rest in peace , and everybody will remember this guy forever ! - Juss
Gary was one of my very first teachers, who without him I wouldn't be anywhere near what I am today. I trained under him for two years. He was an inspiration to the entire dance community and all will miss him.
Michael J
Tunnen sügavalt kaasa.
Kõik osalejad,õpetajad olied Nike CityCampil super!!
(W)
Gary was so amazing, not only in his dancing and choreography, but also in his personality. What he said at Monsters in Portland was really inspiring and you could tell that he meant it. "Lose the angry face. I'm happy when I dance, so I cant help but smile." And he couldn't, he could make anyone smile when he was dancing. You will be missed, Gary! Thanks for sharin the love.
~Kat Hazelton
Unfortunately I've met this man only once in my life. So what can I say about him, when I don't really know much about his life? Well...all I know is, that when he teached us in Estonia, I forgot that I was in a dance class, I forgot about trying to memorize the steps. I felt we were just having a good time, listening to good music and doing what we all love best- dancing.
There should be more people like him. It would make the world a much better place.
We will all miss him, Bridget, from Estonia
I was really honored to be able to train under him just this one time! He
was a really good choreograph with the sweetest personality. I hope he is
in a better place now!
R.I.P Gary!!! Merili from Estonia
Gary, just the other day I was looking at your myspace and thinking about what an incredible dancer you are. I was training last weekend and listening to the dope beats you put on a CD for me, one of my friends asked me to burn them they CD. I listened to in my car today, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I remember you laying down at motion when some lady came on the tv, half asleep you said "dayuum how many teeef you got up in that mouf girl?" you were truly an inspiration to all and one hell of a talented man. We have to remember that everything happens for a reason. Our whole motion show was dedicated to you last night, every step, every movement. I left everything on that stage last night, and it was all for you Gee. God bless you, make some footprints up in heaven brotha, don't stop the music. Much Love.
Sophia
Although I didn't know Gary in person, I feel that this is a great loss for everyone who have danced with him. His lesson in Nike CityCamp 2007 in Estonia was my favourite and I have great memories from that short encounter with him... Gary, Your time here was way too limited, but you left a lasting impression to our hearts and lives.... R.I.P Gary Kendell, we will miss you in Estonia...
R.I.P
Everyone gone miss you (W)
From Estonia.
Thank you for letting us know. I was quite shocked and saddened. I had not heard. He was a terrific person and I know he will be missed by all.
Love Frances manzo
RIP GEEONE. Vietnam 209
That really sucks that Gary Kendall died! He was really good! Syndney
I just found out this morning that Gary had passed. I didn't know Gary through dancing although I knew he was a dancer and loved it. I knew Gary because our families grew up together. Our families have known each other for many, many years. I'm so very saddened that to "see" Gary again had to be because of his passing on. And my sentiments to his mother and brothers. While growing up, life was very hard for him, before he found dancing...so now I am happy that he found peace and happiness in dancing, and now in his death. Most of my family is now deceased as well, but I am here and I more than remember Gary and his family when they were little boys...so I say good-bye Gary.
hi Gary, i hate that you are gone. but i am also a dancer, and when i heard that you told your team to "lose the angry face," i thought that was awesome because you should smile at anything you enjoy doing.
RIP - Raysavion
In November 2007 Gary Kendall was in Estonia, Nike CityCamp, and I saw him olny about one hour. But it was memorable one hour and I thought after the event, how well he teached and how relaxed and great feeling he was able to create for such a lot of people. He had this special 'something' that good teachers ought to have.
He was one of my favourite and news about him passing away came very sudden. First thought is, that he was too young to die, but on the other hand, I think there are no short or long lives, there are lives fully lived and not. He was happy to live his life more fully, than many other people, and he had remarcable talent to inspire others with his life. You don´t need hunderd years to do that, sometimes one hour is just enough. And I´m thankful of that.
My symphaty for all his close ones and everyone, who were connected to him! Elo-Maria, from Estonia
R.I.P. Gary, Your Movement Has Been An Inspiration To Dancers Everywhere - Keith Silva
~ ~ ~
Post your thoughts on Gary at geeone@monstersofhiphop.com