From the time I joined the Clampers, he was there. Practically every doings I ever went to, he was there. He was there on Tuesday before a doins, picking out camp sites for everybody. He was there on Monday after a doins, cleaning up anything left behind. He was there at every SST meeting. The few select friends and family who I’ve sponsored into ECV, he was there (I always asked him to interview them and see if they were a worthy candidate, a process which remains one of my favorite memories of him). Whenever I’d go have a beer at Ryan’s, he was there.
It was so much more than just being there, though. Teach’s camp was usually in the center of things, because he got there first and everybody set up around him. And more than that, because he was the most welcoming person in Clamperdom. It did not matter if you had barely had your blinders lifted or if you were a XNGH. He would give those unable to stand a place to sit, and give those who wandered a light to find their way. He had no enemies and was hailed by brethren wherever he went. He was never to my knowledge an officer or greybeard of any chapter, but set an example of brotherhood for anyone who knew him.
Rest in Peace, Eldon ‘Teach’ Jones. The brothers who knew you will endeavor to carry on your example of dignity and brotherhood.
