[painted jester]

Mike was a dear friend of mine that I found out tonight passed away!! He was a great customizer, rod builder, and painter! But never had the notoriety. He was a great guy who cared about everyone!

I'll always remember mike, and the projects we did together! Every time I lose a friend I worry a little about my own mortality! I hope you don't mind my posting this on here? There are a few on here that knew Mike.

Chris (Jester)

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...13608257035703

[gearheadslife]

sorry man.. R.I.P.

[454 Rattler]

R. I. P.

It's always hard to lose a friend.


454 RATTLER

[MARTINSR]

RIP Gator

Yes Jester, I have learned the same thing the last few years with friends leaving before me. This life is so amazing I am going to do everything I can to enjoy every bit of it. I am certainly going to make mistakes and get mad about stuff I shouldn't and all that, but damn it I try, and I look up at those beautiful clouds and I savor that meal and drink. You are so right, and you can do all that for your friend. He isn't here to do it, it's our job to do it for them now that they are gone. Hang in there.

Brian

[painted jester]

Gator (AKA WOLFMAN)
Thanks Guys He always said "keep Your Flame Lit" LOL That's what I do Im guessing he's up there trying to make a T bucket out of heavens Gates and Angel wings and Arguing with Roth about the color to paint it!!!! LOL He battled Kidney disease! I see they paid respect to Gator on H.A.M.B.: " Detroit Folks Prayers needed for Downriver Legend Mike "Gator" Gaydos"

Gator worked at different body and prototype shops most of his younger years, until he started his own automotive accessory shop, the Kustom Shop, in Taylor. The business fell on hard times, however, and he was forced to close the store. He then back to work for Hollywood Auto in Dearborn, where he remained until his retirement.

He used to say, "If it stands still , I'll pinstripe it" and he would!

Gator flamed and pinstriped hundreds of pedal cars and mailboxes. He also added his art to toilet seats and even painted flames on a sets of high heels.

"CBS This Morning" even honored Gator for his contribution to the custom car Scene! And the pedal cars he flamed, In the interview He reflected this:
"It reminds me of a time in life where things were a lot different, "We weren’t thinking about all of the wars and the things that grownups think about. You look at that little pedal car and you don’t think about those things. You think about, 'Jeez, I remember riding down the hill at underwoods and going as fast as I could in this little pedal car." LOL: He was always Happy

Gator was a crazy biker, a hot rod hooligan, a pinstriper & monster artist, but mostly Gator was a kind man that wanted to help everybody.

Jester

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http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...1&d=1360865832
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...1&d=1360865832

[painted jester]

Bring back Memorys Guys LOL Gator did these flames ! Too bad there wont be any more!

Jester


http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...13608709180918
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...1&d=1360871706

[painted jester]

Thanks Dinger

Jester

[MARTINSR]

Great photos, his art will be missed, but thank God what he did will last forever. I remember being at a funeral of a guy like that a few years ago. I remember looking at his hands as he laid there and thinking what those hands could do, but no more, it is a sobering thought. But thank goodness he has a legacy of stuff and friends like you will be telling others about the things he did for the rest of their lives. He made a good impression.

Brian

[painted jester]

Brian

Heres some pics of Mike Helping on my 38 Plymouth trying to get it repainted before Autorama! Long days and nights But a great time to remember

Jester


http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...08842740884274

[painted jester]

A quote from a pedal car company he did art work for:
"Missed greatly by family, friends and the many hot rodders who knew him, or at least knew of him.
A jovial and kind man, he loved pin striping anything and everything.
This includes over 200 pedal cars for our customers. As well as toilet seats, mailboxes, garbage cans and coolers for classic and hot rods."

KEEP YOUR FLAME LIT! "GATOR"




Quote from his loving wife Brenda of 44 years...
"His flame may have been dimmed but I refuse to believe that his family and friends will ever let it go out."



http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...1&d=1360886579
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...1&d=1360886579

1st Place Trophy February 20-23, 2003
"Special Interest Non-Motorized
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...60885860885860

[MARTINSR]

Cool stuff Jester, thanks for sharing. He won't be forgotten that is for sure.

Brian

[painted jester]

Brian

Jester

[wretched ratchet]

Great tribute to your friend, Chris. I'm sure he's smiling down on this as you honor him. Friendships are a treasured commodity and should be handled as valuable assets, as you have done.

R.I.P. Gator

[painted jester]

W.R.: Thanks

In the pics did you see his lawn ornament next to his porch? (in the flower bed) LOL Its the pic of him setting in the Ts rolling chassis coming out of the garage!

I tried to make this a tribute! And not an epitaph! Mike was not a member of Hotrodders

I noticed older members on here have dropped off the threads! I always think maybe something happened to them? We don't know real names and family members wouldn't think to post what happened; and they probably wouldn't even know how to log in? If I passed in my sleep my wife wouldn't be able to let any one on here know LOL

Its funny how when I was younger, Those thoughts never entered my mind

Jester

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by painted jester

W.R.: Thanks

In the pics did you see his lawn ornament next to his porch? (in the flower bed) LOL Its the pic of him setting in the Ts rolling chassis coming out of the garage!


Jester

I hadn't noticed that, good stuff indeed. Yep Jester, as time goes by we notice a lot of things we didn't before.

Brian