God Ra Isbell

RA. Much love
So many good times in Berkeley...

I just heard about Ra's passing this weekend, and am so saddened and shocked by this terrible news. He was such a great guy. I did lose my own father in 1983, who died at age 46 when I was 10yrs old, so I know how difficult this kind of loss can be for a family. Mrs. Isbell, please accept my condolences and my prayers for you and the rest of your loved ones as well, during this difficult period of grief and the healing that will inevitably follow.

I also had the unique pleasure of working with Ra in NYC. He was a truly gifted and driven engineer with a real passion for what he did, and he quickly earned the respect of the entire office when he arrived as a new hire, by proving himself to be a truly valuable asset to the company and a perfect exaple of what it means to be a committed employee, which impressed everybody right off the bat. Ra and I also had a unique relationship; he had once seen my band play in Croton when we were in high school, and he and his football-player friends had started a fight at the show, which almost got ugly (but didn't because the majority of us were peaceful Deadheads at a the time)! On his first day at work in NY nearly two decades later, he recognized me from that night, and we shared a great laugh, immediately becoming pals at work who shared a bond that no one else in the company could boast. And that was a real treat.

I had just spoken to Ra in the fall, and he had given me an open invitation to his home upstate if I ever wanted to get away from the city for a weekend, saying that I was always welcome. I was recently thinking of taking him up on that offer, but had lost his number. And now I have learned that he is gone forever. Sometimes life is just too tragic - and you never know from one minute to the next when someone close to you will be gone, so please cherish every minute that you are here, and keep the faith!

I was also a US NAVY sailor once, and when we lose a brother or sister, our prayer is this:

"Fair winds, and following seas..."

So long, Ra, you will always be my friend and my brother. May you rest in Peace.

From the first time I met you in San Francisco, I knew you were a force to be reckoned with; a diamond in the ruff. Over the the years we spent together, each day the polish on that diamond became more brilliant, to the day when the mentor became the student. From that day until forever, I will remain your dedicated student, God Ra Isbell, and I will seek the brightest light in the night sky and know you still have my back. Rest in peace Ra. I love you forever.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ra's family.

I'm still shocked by the news of his passing. He was such a strong force that I can't believe anything could have stopped him.

Thanks for all the great laughs and memories Ra. We're going to miss you.

Rest in peace my friend.

My heart goes out to Ra's family!

I had the pleasure of working with RA these last few months and I can say wholeheartedly that he was a good man. He was great to work with and had a great heart.
I am very saddened by RA's passing. I pray that he is at peace and the God gives his family strength and comfort.

Thank you Ra for the laughs I'm proud to call you a friend.

Until we meet again Bro!!

Ra was a brother to me in some of our most formative years as kids. Above all else, Ra was famously strong of mind, body and spirit. Even though we had been out of touch for a long time, the memories of him and those days are part of me constantly.

As an adult I am still in many ways just an older version of that kid I was when Ra was my best friend. Riding bikes, playing outside, constantly building and tinkering with stuff. Recently Ra and I reconnected and it was so great to see that he too was just an older version of that kid that I loved as a brother.

I'll miss you Ra. The great memories will live on.

Kathleen and family,
My deepest sympathy to you on your loss of Ra. I rememmber your bouncing baby boys around the studio, so many years. Smiling and oh so handsome. May you find peace in your memories!

My prayers go out to the family. Ra was truly one of a kind and we will all miss him.

Dear Kathy and Family,
I was so sad to hear about the passing of your son Ra. He was a great person and it was always a pleasure to be in his company. I had just asked Jim Streeter about both you and Ra on Wednesday the 24th of March. Your presence at B & H was missed and every one that I spoke to there, who knew Ra, had nothing but good things to say about him. He will be missed.

Kathy & Byron,

I feel sorry for your heartbreaking loss. I remember him as a cool and confident boy that was able
to take care of himself and his brother
quite well. He will be much missed.

I can still see that little boy with the most beautiful smile and the twinkle in his eyes. We are so sorry to hear of Ra's passing.

Kathy & Aom,
I am so sorry for your loss of Ra. I hope you are finding comfort in your memories and the memories of others. Your strength & courage during this difficult time is really admirable. Love to you and your family. xoxoxo Thora, Shane & Liam

Ra... Ra!!... Ra...Cousin, son, brother, nephew, man,
Beauty, you are much loved and are so missed. My prayers are for you to find Home. too short was our time together. May we meet again.
We will be thinking of you.... God Bless

I never got to meet Ra as a grown man but remember him well as the strong, funny, determined little boy I used to babysit. I remember him as very busy and always with lots of specific plans for his brother and me - he wanted to go outside and play a certain game a certain way, then inside and build a skyscraper with blocks, then draw machines, then hide and seek in the house, and always snacks! He was a wonderful boy and I know how proud you were of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you, as are Fran's, in this sad, hard time.

Dear Kathy,
Mom and I are sending our love from California. We love you. xoxoQuenby and Barbara

Kathy- I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.

Kathy,

All my love and support.

Kathy, I am thinking of you at this time. I am sending light and love. How sorry I am that you are experiencing the pain of this loss.

Kathy and AOM,
I am so sorry for your loss. I can not even imagine the shock and pain you must be in. My thoughts and prayers are truly with you both.

Kathy,

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Marc mentioned it in class the other night, and Sally sent an email. You're in my thoughts.

Sandy

Although I only met him once after the Actor's studio show, it was clear your son was an extraordinary man who lived and loved with great energy and heart. I wrote the poem below some time ago and hope it may bring you some comfort.

with love,

Beth Bevins

A Roomful of Friends

A roomful of gifts
Some unwrapped slowly
over years.
Others arriving without tissue or adornment,
perhaps not recognized at first.
Others opened anew each time –
an expected surprise, a familiar stranger.

A roomful of packages
mysterious, without address,
but arriving exactly in time
to deliver me from doubtful isolation.

A roomful of presents and pasts
of lovers and teachers,
of storytellers and mechanics,
musicians, sailors,
defenders, parents, poets,
and children with curious wisdom.

In a room full of friends
the door will not close –
Yet no one cares to leave.
It is a room where light lives,
where strong voices linger
in the whispers and laughter
of unconditional comfort.

Kathy - Sally let us know of your loss, and I am so sorry. I send you love and friendship in this time of sorrow and want you to know that we are all thinking of you. Lynda Robinson

Hi Kathy, i'm sorry for your loss of Ra. I can clearly remember when i was about 8 or 9 playing with Ra and how determined he was to achieve things. I remember one time when you let him be in charge of the house for a day,and you guys would switch household roles, and Ra got a little carried away with taking over and you had to stop the game due to his determination. I can see now why he was so good at what he did. God bless you and Aom, and tell him i said hi.
Jeff Lennan

We are shocked and saddened by the death of your beloved son, Ra. A bright light has gone out of the world. We send our prayers, love, hugs and sympathy. Love, Sue and Lou Mondor

This is a real blow to all of us. Ra had grown to be a real man in every sense of the word: taking responsibility for the well being of his loved ones, demonstrating the willingness to sacrifice himself for strangers in need, and dealing with the challenges of life with patience and compassion, even in situations that would drive most to frustration. He may be gone, but his memory will live on as an example to us all.

Love to you all, sympathy and prayers...

Alice Zingaro,Stone Mickelson,Amos Duncan

Our sympathy prayers and love,
Betsy & Nancy

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.