Jerry's Memorial Ride to raise money for sarcoidosis research
By Steve Herring
Published in News on May 18, 2015 1:46 PM
Tim Tucker of Goldsboro and the late Jerry Grimes were not only friends, they were neighbors.
And in an ironic twist of fate, Tucker has been suffering for 14 years from the disease that claimed his friend's life just last fall.
Tucker, 56, was diagnosed in 2001 with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ in the body. It causes heightened immunity -- a person's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body's own tissues.
Tucker's lungs are affected.
It affected Grimes' brain.
In memory of Grimes, and in attempt to draw attention to this unfamiliar disease, Grimes' family will sponsor the first Jerry's Memorial Ride on June 13. The rain date is June 20.
Proceeds will benefit the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, Tucker, a sarcoidosis survivor, and Faith Church of Goldsboro.
Activities will include a 50/50 drawing. People do not have to be present to win. The registration fee is $25 per car or motorcycle and $10 for passengers.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at Fun Products of Goldsboro. Pre-registration is available at the Angier Bike Fest in Angier on June 6.
For more information call 919-922-1106 or send email to TheJuneJAMR@gmail.com.
Late registration will be available at the first and second stops. Ride participation includes a meal at the finale.
The first stop will be at Cycle Max of Wilson; the second at Shelton's Harley-Davidson of Smithfield; and the third at Devotional Gardens of Dunn, where Grimes is buried, for a memorial and moment of silence.
The finale will be at Ron's Barn BBQ and Seafood, Coats, for a sale of barbecued pork and fried chicken combination plates for $10. Baked items will be sold à la carte. The meal will be held from noon to 4 p.m. The restaurant was selected because it is in Grimes' hometown.
Eat-in and take-out plates will be available. Also, people can order and pick up a plate between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Fun Products in Goldsboro.