Tim Gillesse Obituary

Tim was so very helpful to me in my work at Interx and to me personally when it came to computers and helping me wire up my organ. He will be remembered for his cheerfulness and helpfulness.

Memorial for Tim: afternoon of Sept. 14 in Burcham Park, Lawrence.

Tim, I will forever remember you as the insightful, mysterious, handsome young man, when you first arrived in Lawrence, with impeccable taste in clothing,and the most beautiful long blonde hair, usually pulled back in a ponytail, and such a smarty! I'll miss your smile. Jan Emerson

Wow. I just now saw this, and am so sad. From my days in High School when I snuck in to the places the Blue Riddim Band was playing, I always saw Tim. I remember the first time I got up the nerve to approach - "I an I a wanna dance"... and we did. A Lawrence legend. I hadn't seen him for awhile, but thought I saw him sailing by in "NEGRIL" last month. Whether or not it was he, I'll keep that happy thought, and all the others, in my memory. - Maggie

I met Tim decades ago through reggae music and David Lawrence, aka Prof. We hit it off and he tried to get me to move to Lawrence. I hadn't been up for awhile and since I'm planning on coming to the Itals, I decided to get in touch. His obit came up and I am devastated to learn this. Rest in Love, Tim. Everything's irie. Love, Karen

Timbabwe, I can't believe you're no longer with us. You have definitely left your mark on Lawrence. You always had a warm big smile, a wonderful upbeat attitude about life, and never one to have difficulty making new friends. I remember being introduced to you by Dennis Domer at the School of Architecture. You were the IT guru of Marvin Hall (but you describe your occupation best as a “Renaissance Technocrat/Quantum Cosmologist”). =)

When I hear reggae music, you come to mind. =) Your fashion and dancing is what I'll always remember most about you. . . fun, energetic, and so alive!

I love your 2009 LJW Style Scout interview: http://www.lawrence.com/news/2009/jun/18/style-scout-tim-gillesse-k-timbabwe/

I know you're in a better place, no longer in pain and at peace; hopefully with a cold red stripe in hand and listening to your favorite reggae music on a white sandy beach somewhere. Miss you my friend! ~L2

Timbabwe was my older brother from another mother. I met him when I was 18, and he was a great friend whose life touched so many people. I am grateful for his positive spirit, for his love of music, for his enduring friendship, and for the many people whom I now count as dear friends because of his wide circle of loved ones. Many of us were able to say goodbye to him in his final days, and I know that he was comforted by the visits and kindnesses. As another dear friend said upon news of his passing, I imagine him enjoying the sunshine, surf and warm, white sand in his beloved Negril, Jamaica, with lilting reggae playing on the breeze and a cold Red Stripe in his hand. Travel well, brother, you will be missed and remembered by many. See you on the other side.

Timbabwa, the world is a lesser place without you here. Know you are missed, but all is irie now. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace to you. - from a Gaelic blessing

My good buddy TBob, thanks for giving me some "good parking" and true friendship for many years. The trip to Jaimaca was one for the books, one i'll never forget. I am resting easy knowing your in a better place now, and there be no more sufferin. I'll miss you more than I can say, but I will say, keeping on rocking my brother, see you in rasta land someday. Love you Buddy........

I know you will be missed greatly.

I am forever changed and blessed by your friendship. Thank you for your love and light. You are a part of my heart. Always

Tim was ahead of his time. In the 70's he defined the "flux capaciter" 15 years before the movie Back to the Future.

Will always remember you with the most fun memories. Reggae dancing, primarily!

I will always remember the energy and special perspective that Tim added to Interx. Gone too soon.

Tim, you will be remembered for all you help to me with my electronics and computer problems. Thanks for all your help over the years and you happy conversations. John Haslam

Tim I will miss seeing you. We have had a very long term friendship. Remember the Rock Chaulk cafe.

Tim's friends provided for him in his final days in hospice. One brought a six-pack of RedStripe. On my last visit, when he could still speak, I reminded him that he still had five bottles left. He asked for one and managed a few sips. When it was time for me to go, I said, "Living large with a Red Stripe, Tim." Ya, mon," he cheerfully replied.

Tim,
You are and were greatly loved.

Laurie Marlowe

tim, i will remember you as the first and foremost computer whiz.RIP

A candle for Tim, who called me "Pookie" so many years ago...he's gone to that big reggae fest in the sky now.

This came to mind for Tim, the beautiful free spirit with the wide smile and twinkling eyes: "Time to live, time to lie, time to laugh, and time to die. Take it easy baby. Take it as it comes." -Jim Morrison...

Tim, you were a true renaissance man. Your spirit, kindness, and warmth will be missed.

A guy I talked with over thirty years and only knew his first name. Great conversation and laughter. Farewell.

Ahh, Timmy. You were a good one. Love you and will always miss you. NLPE

My friend, my brother, a great loss

Thanks for everything Tim. Always an interesting conversation and a lot of fun. You added plenty to the Lawrence culture. I'll have a timbobway in your honor. MarkS

Tim has gone from one "Good Life" ... on to another.

He was a couple years behind me at KU, but I remember him as humane, caring and a "seeker".

I am sure that God is happy to have him home.

God bless you, brother

There's a reason so many people have mentioned your smile. It was such a beautiful one. You will be missed. Lois and Jerry

Always happy, always smiling. We need more people like Tim.

Jah blessed Tim Babwe. Love you friend.

Tim was a Unique and wonderful person he will be greatly missed. Keith

Hard to find the words to express how much this hurts. I've never met anyone who loved life more than Tim. He changed my perception of the world, and helped me find my place in it. My heart is breaking today. I need one of your hugs, brother. I love you, Tim, and I will never forget you. I hope you are somewhere sitting in the sun with a glass of rum in hand.

If you knew Tim you you knew love..smart, beautiful, lover of life..you will be missed

A truly unique and great guy. Good memories will always be with me.

GilRoy, I hope I saved up enough smiles to keep me going. Thanks for always being there with one when I needed it.

Judy

Always had a smile, made all the girls jealous with that long beautiful hair! You will be missed! Kristen

Tim's smile and friendship will be missed. I always thought of Tim as good friend even though sometimes I did not see him for a couple of years at a time. He still was the same old friend with a smile on his face and loved a good joke.

A friend to many, many town folks. He would always keep you "positive" if he was nearby.

I always loved running into Tim and we've had some wonderful conversations in the last year about Caribbean island living. I can still hear his, "Yeah, yeah" as we talked about the color of the water and wondered if we could find a paint chip that color. The porch of the Free State will be a little less sunny this summer without his smile. My heart goes out to his mother, who he absolutely adored. We'll all miss you, Tim!

Gill bob Roy will still be with us...wiles & bemis

It was always a highlight running into Tim. Always such a positive light.

I'll always remember you as a beautiful young man with long blonde hair during our wild and wonderful youth in the 70's up on the hill at the Rock Chalk. Angie

A dear friend to my daughters and I. We will always remember his great smile and beautiful bright blue eyes. His fun happy demeanor and the good times we shared. ~ Beth Young

I lived across the street from Tim when I was in college and a nicer man you could never meet. He influenced me and my housemates greatly and in fact his love for Reggae and Jamaica rubbed off on us and our graduation trip was to Negril, Jamaica. He was always smiling, always chipper and lived life to the fullest.

I know your smile will never fade. Thanks for seeing the good in everything.

A roof friend already missed.

That smile travels along way in my memory. Most beautiful long blond hair on hippie hill. He leaves a hole in downtown.....Steb

You will be missed around town. God give you peace and rest.

Many will miss his smile and his zest for living. He inspired me to embrace life.

Timmy Thanks for all the memories. Glen

Tim's smile was beyond compare. He brightened many lives with that smile. I will miss seeing Tim about town and receiving his friendly hugs! Peace be with you - Lanell