Tragedy Strikes a Cobra Member.

[renaissance man]

I printing this from a letter that went out to our company this morning. One of our dear friends, Gareth Davies who came to many of the Club Cobra events including last years TCC 2nd Annual event in his '96 Mustang Cobra was killed this Saturday morning along with his girlfriend, and another couple in the same car that they were at the movies with. The other couple had a 1 year old and 2 year old at home. They were struck head on by a drunk driver. Gareth and I had worked together for the past three years at NetSolve, Inc. He was an entusiastic "gearhead" like the rest of us. He owned a '96 Mustang Cobra and a 2001 as well. He and his Father were talking of doing a 427 Cobra. He joined us on many events and was planning on coming to my home this weekend to help me with all of my Cobra work. These four will be sadly missed.

Attached is the link to the news clip: http://www.kvue.com/breaking/0525kvu....1d1e770c.html

"Today we were struck by tragedy yet again. Early this morning, a drunk driver heading south on Mopac crossed the median into the northbound lane and hit a car carrying Donnie and Colleen Cox, Gareth Davies, and Jocelyn Diaz. All four died at the scene. The driver survived with minor injuries, and has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter.

Donnie and Colleen's children, Adam and Karly, are being cared for by family at this time.

Many of us have gotten to know Donnie and Gareth over the years, and will hold them close in our hearts and our thoughts for years to come.

We do not yet know when or where services will be held, or what the families need at this point, but we will send this information out as soon as we receive it. In the meantime, we are starting a fund for Adam and Karly, to assist with their current care and future needs. If you wish to make a donation, please let me know."

[bonyhadi]

Dave,
Please publish details of the fund, or e-mail me. Sympathy to all those that knew them. This trajedy repeats itself far to often, and it always seems that the drunk that caused it survives with minor injuries.

[JGunn]

This is a truly terrible occurance.
I did not know the people who were envolved, but none the less, it is sad news, and my sympathy is with the friends and family of these people who were made victims of an all too common crime.

[mustangmendez]

WOW I woke up this morning by my wife telling me their was a message I needed to hear ,with a look on here face that she had seen a ghost the message was from Dave Osmar letting me know that my and your buddy had been killed in a car wreck last night I have done lots of work for Gareth and Jocelyn I just meet Donnie on the last performance up grade to Gareths 2001 Cobra and seem to be a nice guy as well. Gareth was very proud of you Austin Area Stang and Cobra Club ,as well of his Father . How bought a 21 Mustang/Cobra Start up Solute. Keep Gareth,Jocelyn,Donnie,and Colleen in your prayers for God must have really needed some great people by his side so sad to see them go that way .Gareth was at our 2001 meet and followed in a real nice White 1996 Mustang Cobra and came out to our 2002 with his new 2001 Mustang Cobra Black he didn't follow in the poker run this year because he had a small dent I fixed for him the following week plus some hipo upgrades .I will truly miss my good friend .
I know if I go I would like a 21 Cobra Start Up !
Tony Mendez

[Tom T.]

Please let us know where to forward donations.

TT

[BLACKJACK]

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED.

THE LOSS OF LIFE IS ALWAYS A TRAGEDY, BUT TO LOSE PEOPLE SO YOUNG AND IN SUCH A SENSELESS WAY MAKES IT SO MUCH WORSE.

PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO.

MAY GOD BLESS ALL,

BLACKJACK

[Jamo]

Another tragic lose due to a dam* drunk driver.

Our thoughts are with the families.

[Cobra Dude]

Ren man, This is indeed very sad. My condolences to their families. Gareth was very active with the Austin Mustang folks, who are planning a memorial cruise and other activities for him. More details at ... http://www.austinareastangs.com/phpB...rum=5&start=30

Cheers,
-Neil.

[Ozona]

Wow that sucks.

Also, just an FYI, KVUE will scan your PC when you hit their website (link above). It was either that or a coincidence.

[renaissance man]

I thought I would post what I know about the arrangements that are being made.

Gareth and Jocelyn's funeral are set to be Friday the 31'st at 11 am at the Cook Walden Funeral Home at William Cannon and Oak Hill. Gareth's Mother who lives in the U.K. is flying to Austin.

Not to get into details but on the Austin Area Stangs Forum there is a note from the sone of one of the Fireman. Evidently there was no blood when they arrived on the scene just 2 minutes after it happened as there is a Fire Station right at Parmer and Mopac. They were already gone by then.

This has been the worst weekend I've had in awhile.

I'm going to miss you Gareth....

[renaissance man]

Here is the latest information regarding services for Donnie and Gareth.

Visitation for Donnie and Colleen will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. tonight, with Vigil service at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2002, in the Beck Funeral Home, Round Rock location.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, in St. William's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Extraco Banks, P.O. Box 6101, Temple, Texas 76503. You may also bring your cash or check donation (made payable to NetSolve) to me to be forwarded to the memorial fund.

Services for Gareth and for Jocelyn Diaz will be on Friday, May 31, at 11am at the Cook Walden Funeral Home on William Cannon. A reception for friends and family will be held at 109 Javelin Drive in Austin following the funeral services.

These little kids are going to need a lot of support, emotionally and financially.

Regards,

[Snakecharmer]

I worked with Gareth's father for many years and met Gareth quite a while ago. Two years ago, he came up a re-introduced himself at the Texas Cobra Club anniversary. It immediately struck me that he had grown into a very nice young man. So polite and so respectful. Since that time, I've seen him at a number of TCC events and we've exchanged quite a few emails. It was always great to see him. His love for fine cars was contagious and a joy to be around. Last time I saw him was at RenMan's home coming party. He and Jocelyn came out to welcome home Dave's cobra, to hang out and chat, and to show off his new 2001 Cobra mustang. What a great couple.

I'll never forget my one and only ride in his (or any) Mustang Cobra. And I'll never forget his wonderful enthusiasm and personality.

Charmer

[renaissance man]

Donations to Gareth's memorial fund may be made at any Bank of America location. Reference:
Davies & Diaz Memorial Fund
Account #5741680098
Funds deposited to this account will be used to purchase a granite bench that will be located next to the headstone for Gareth Davies and Jocelyn Diaz, so that visitors will have a place to rest.

Donations to the Donald and Colleen Rini memorial fund may be sent to:
Extraco Banks
P O Box 6101
Temple TX 76503
These funds will benefit Donnie and Colleen's two children, Adam and Karlynn.

[mustangmendez]

Ren Man I hate to keep sobbing over Gareth and Jocelyn but I to had a stomach ach all week end just the thought of him and her gone just tears me up ! I will try my best to make it on Friday .
Just keep me posted on his Murderer I want to see her burn !!
Sorry need to get that out people .
Mustang Mendez

[renaissance man]

From a post on AAS:

martendavies


Joined: May 28, 2002
Posts: 1
From: Marten Davies
Posted: 2002-05-28 13:21
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Hi FOlks

This is Gareth's Dad. I and his mother who is on her way over the Atlantic as I type much appreciate the kind thoughts and words about our son. I am copying you all on the obituary that will go out today.

Please note to honor his memory we will be bringing the two COBRAS to the funeral home both the 96 and the 2001, to be driven in procession behind the hearse post the service for Jocelyn and Gareth's burial.

Feel free to attend the funeral service and if you do bring the STANGS I know he would be thrilled at the honor

Best to you all
Marten

Gareth Marten Davies, 24, and Jocelyn Diaz, 21, died together May 25, in a head on car collission, along with their close friends, Donald Cox Rini and his wife, Colleen Rini.

Jocelyn and Gareth were a couple from the moment they met and were rarely out of each others sight

Both brought joy, light and an immense presence to any room they entered. Jocelyn was like a fine bottle of champagne, full of bubbles, intoxicating to the eye and quick to laugh. She was a brilliant dancer, and gifted singer. She sang often with the local church band of which her father Mike Diaz was also a member.

To see Gareth without a baseball cap was a rare event indeed. Some have remarked that, in all the years they have known him they have never seen the top of his head. He was quick-witted, kind hearted and a gentle soul always happy to do for others. He rarely lost his temper or raised his voice. He never shirked responsibilities and was mature beyond his years.

He was constantly embroiled in one of his many passions.
Computing being his first love, building his own machine at 12 and becoming an absolute expert on hardware. He had a particularly soft spot for an old Amiga. Next came the MUSTANGS. . It was at Gareth’s high school graduation, in 1996, when Marten, a fellow sports car enthusiast, gave Gareth his first Mustang, a well-cared-for 1987 model. Gareth would later buy a second Mustang, a Cobra, and then only last year a third Mustang, another Cobra. To immerse himself fully in this passion he joined the Austin Area Stangs club (www.austinareastangs.com).

Gareth was born prematurely March 16, 1978, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England where he lived with his mother Barbara Davies. It was not until 1994 after traveling the Atlantic many times for vacations that Gareth at the age of 16 settled with his father, Marten Davies, step-mother Cheryl Davies and three brothers Owen , Evan and Rhys in Austin, Texas. Despite the difficulties any 16-year-old faces, especially one who embarks on life in a new world, Gareth made the transition with remarkable maturity.

Not long after completing studies at Austin Community College, during which he worked at AES Computers building custom hardware; Gareth was recruited by NetSolve, Inc., where he was employed as a network administrator. It was here that Gareth and Jocelyn first met.

Jocelyn Diaz was born June 24 (San Juan Bautista Day), 1980, in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She moved to Texas with her family in 1986.

Jocelyn attended Round Rock High School and transferred to Westwood High School, from which she graduated in 1997. She had played violin in her school orchestra and sang in the choir. She went on to complete coursework at Austin Community College. A certified ballroom dance instructor she loved to dance and was always ready to teach anyone interested. She sang like an angel and had immense stage presence. Her other passion was shoes of which she owned as many pairs as she could fit in her apartment. She carried herself with style and grace and a maturity beyond her years.

At the time of her death, Jocelyn had been working in an administrative position at Deloitte & Touche in Austin

She is survived by her father, Mike, and her mother Dina, both of Spicewood, Texas; brothers, Tommy, 25, of Fort Worth; Michael, 32, of Puerto Rico; Bobby, 31, and Ricky, 30, of Chicago, and her grandparents who live in Puerto Rico.

Gareth is survived by his mother, Barbara Jane Davies, of Welwyn Garden City; England, his father, Marten G. Davies, his stepmother, Cheryl L. Davies, both of Austin; three younger brothers: Owen, 11; Evan, 10, and Rhys, 7; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Goose, of Cuffley, Hertfordshire, and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins in the United States and England.

Joint services for Jocelyn and Gareth, (who will be buried side by side as they were in life.) are set for 11 a.m., Friday, May 31 at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks, 6300 W. William Cannon Dr. In lieu of flowers, the families have asked that friends contribute to the Davies/Diaz Memorial Fund, Bank of America, Acct # 5741680098, the proceeds of which will be used to erect an appropriate memorial.


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