RIP Doug Clifton, a true fan

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I just saw this announcement on Facebook...

"extremely and devastating sad news, I’m letting you know that Doug Clifton and Katherine Velez Katz are no longer with us. They passed away yesterday with head-on collision on a motorcycle ride from the Bay Area to Colorado Springs for the Firefighters’ Memorial. The accident happened on Highway 50 just south of Salt Lake City"

He wasn't a zoner but he was seriously deep into the scene we all love, he was a TxR regular and he was a really nice guy.

Many of you will likely recognize him from the rail of countless shows, and some of you may have know him personally. He was one of us.

I didn't know his lady, but I'm sure she was great too.

This one really sucks.

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He also live streamed videos from many shows. he cared about people and he cared about the music.

Very sad.

Kathy was a nurse who came out of retirement to help by working during the Pandemic. They will both be missed deeply.

Such terrible news -- thank you for starting this thread. 

I knew them. Doug was a fireman in Alameda.  Kathy, his partner, was a nurse and she moved to the west coast to be with him after they met at Lockn Fest.

Hearts of gold and deadicated music fans. I'd always hang with them a bit at shows I traveled out of state to, like JRAD.  He let me onto the rail at a JRAD Denver show a few Aprils ago.

 I'll definitely miss seeing them around. 

Tears running down my cheeks ....

I am devastated, and sorry for all that knew him close. He was my connection to West shows and streaming. He truly loved sharing the music and I always thanked him. We met at the Cap many times times...so kind and sweet. Just to, to sad !

Sending thoughts to family !!

A non-zoner friend who knews Doug from TXR days reminded me how people would mistake Doug for Jimmy Herring sometimes and somewhere there are photos of Jimmy and Doug together. 

 Sad and tragic news. I didn't know these folks personally, but certainly remember Doug on the rail at TXR and many other venues, including couch tour. Can one be a zoner even without hanging out on the zone? I think one can. And our ranks keep thinning.

Rest in Peace Doug and Kathy. Condolences to their friends and family.

And appreciation and love to all of us with no exceptions.

 

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sad news

Doug and Kathy were great Peeps

RIP

If there is a rock-n-roll heaven they'll be first at the gates and riding the rail...

So sad

RIP Doug & Kathy

 

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Marquee of the Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY

 

And with the fire engine...

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i did not know him, but many did. rest in peace sir

yes, he def was double for Jimmy, great pic !!  I would tell him how he was his double, he just smiled that sweet, kind, soft smile and giggled ! 

Just so sad, I hope the Cap has a memorial ...I would attend. That is the last time i saw him, at merch table for a PLF show. 

To me, Doug was a top 1 % human being. And that is not because he just died. He was someone I very much looked up to. Maybe more than anyone else that I know personally. I was fortunate to hang with them a lot at Dead On The Creek last month. They don't make em much better than Doug. I have shed many a tear since I heard. Latest was when I saw the marquis above.  He was a superstar on both coasts. That he will be greatly missed is a gross understatement.  Kathy was a sweetheart. She kept a little more to herself, but they were a great couple, and loved each other very much. Rest in the stars guys. You made this world a much better place by being here. 

This one hiys really deep. I've known Doug for 30 years. Kathy was a sweetheart too. Words cannot express the loss to the world of these two fine souls.

I read that this is happening today, don't know anything about it, posted by Maryann Asta.

Please tune into KCBS radio at 5 pm pacific time today for a tribute to Doug Clifton and Katherine Velez

https://www.audacy.com/kcbsradio

Sadly, I have no idea how to listen to the link. I don't know where to go once I've arrived

I got there, but heard nothing about Doug and Kathy.

I listened on & off and didn't hear anything but I could have missed it, or they may stick it in another time. That station does that often.

Judit, you should be able to click the "Listen" link on the upper right, and then do the same on the next page, that should be enough.

And this isn't anything new, but they made the SF Chronicle as well...

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-deadhead-couple-uta...

Amazing what impact just being seriously cool can have.

It's on now.

It was just a blurb repeating the Chronicle story, almost exactly. Something else that station does often.

Still, it was nice. They repeat their stories almost hourly these days and it will certainly play two or three more times.

I did not need or expect to see that. Just saying I saw the graphic photo before I saw the TW because I scrolled down to compose condolences

 

RIP Doug and Kathy the sky is no longer the limit

Thanks for doing that Judit. I guess I should have done something like that myself.  To see it though, you know they did not suffer. 

I can't come back to this thread w/o seeing that image

can we remove that?

still in shock...

The photo is deleted.

Mark, I understand why you posted it and it made good sense but it's a pretty heavy photo. I don't know if it's the kind of thing that you would like to start an independent thread for, but that's an option.
 

Hold our loved ones close in our hearts 

I came here just now to ask you to delete it.  So, thank you. 

 

Yeah I like the fire truck photo a lot better

It was nice to have crossed paths with these two gentle souls in this short life

they will really be missed

Jerry's Middle Finger tribute concert 11/2/25 set 1

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8wA9GvBPozQ

Love the buttons / coasters (?) in the Nov photo thread.

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