Hunter S. Thompson Send-off Request A Blast

JaNell · Post by **JaNell** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:50 am

Gonzo Writer Hunter S. Thompson's Family Might Follow His Wishes to Blast His Ashes From Cannon
By DAN ELLIOTT Associated Press Writer

DENVER Feb 23, 2005 â€” Hunter S. Thompson, the "gonzo journalist" with a penchant for drugs, guns and flame-thrower prose, might have one more salvo in store for everyone: Friends and relatives want to blast his ashes out of a cannon, just as he wished.

"If that's what he wanted, we'll see if we can pull it off," said historian Douglas Brinkley, a friend of Thompson's and now the family's spokesman.

Thompson, who shot himself to death at his Aspen-area home Sunday at 67, said several times he wanted an artillery send-off for his remains.

"There's no question, I'm sure that's what he would want," said Mike Cleverly, a longtime friend and neighbor. "Hunter truly loved that kind of thing."

Colorado fireworks impresario Marc Williams said it's doable.

"Oh, sweet. I'd love to. I would so love to," said Williams, 44, owner of Night Musick Inc. in suburban Denver and a fan of Thompson's writing.

Thompson's wife, Anita, and son, Juan, are looking into the cannon scenario, said Brinkley, who has edited some of Thompson's work.

Brinkley also said Thompson did not take his life "in a moment of haste or anger or despondency" but probably planned his suicide well in advance because of declining health. The author of books including "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was in pain from a host of problems that included a broken leg and a hip replacement.

"I think he made a conscious decision that he had an incredible run of 67 years, lived the way he wanted to, and wasn't going to suffer the indignities of old age," Brinkley said. "He was not going to let anybody dictate how he was going to die."

Thompson had spent an intimate weekend with his son, daughter-in-law and young grandson, the spokesman said.

"He was trying to really bond and be close to the family" before his suicide, Brinkley said. "This was not just an act of irrationality. It was a very pre-planned act."

Family members had no hint that Thompson planned to take his own life, Brinkley said, and he did not leave a note. "There was no farewell salutation," he said.

Hardcoregirl · Post by **Hardcoregirl** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:19 am

My mom told me about this this morning..hehe...

4X541N7 · Post by **4X541N7** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:28 pm

I never thought I would say this about someone who commited suicide...But I now have a new found respect for the man...

The Stormstress · Post by **The Stormstress** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:09 pm

Yeah ... read that yesterday ... Talk about going out with a BANG ... BANG! :twisted:

Hardcoregirl · Post by **Hardcoregirl** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:18 pm

4X541N7 wrote:I never thought I would say this about someone who commited suicide...But I now have a new found respect for the man...

If I live to be that old...and my health is failing...I'll be shooting myself before letting my loved ones change my diaper or some such shit...

He was so hardcore.

Hardcoregirl · Post by **Hardcoregirl** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:18 pm

4X541N7 wrote:I never thought I would say this about someone who commited suicide...But I now have a new found respect for the man...

If I live to be that old...and my health is failing...I'll be shooting myself before letting my loved ones change my diaper or some such shit...

He was so hardcore.

4X541N7 · Post by **4X541N7** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:15 pm

Buttercup wrote:
4X541N7 wrote:I never thought I would say this about someone who commited suicide...But I now have a new found respect for the man...

If I live to be that old...and my health is failing...I'll be shooting myself before letting my loved ones change my diaper or some such shit...

He was so hardcore.

I was refering to the fact that I have the personal belief that when I go...It's gonna be because I'm ready...& I'm not going to let anyone,& not even God, tell me how to die...It's either gonna be sudden, or self-inflicted...I suppose that, that was part of the mentality...Even if it wasn't the full reason...H.S.T. was hardcore...& now I have a new respect for him...

Zeo · Post by **Zeo** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:41 pm

moop, I posted that yesterday

http://www.knoxgothic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6609

I'm still shocked that Hunter shot himself. He wasn't in bad health, and his first novel, The Rum Diary, is being turned into a movie, starring once again Johnny Depp. He has been writing and had just started a comeback... It just don't make sense.

Having his ashes blasted out of a cannon for his funeral though. That wasn't so surprising. That's just Hunter's style.

doctorthoss · Post by **doctorthoss** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:49 pm

Zeo wrote:moop, I posted that yesterday

http://www.knoxgothic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6609

I'm still shocked that Hunter shot himself. He wasn't in bad health, and his first novel, The Rum Diary, is being turned into a movie, starring once again Johnny Depp. He has been writing and had just started a comeback... It just don't make sense.

Having his ashes blasted out of a cannon for his funeral though. That wasn't so surprising. That's just Hunter's style.

Actually, his health had been failing in recent years, he had trouble walking on his own and was in a great deal of pain, according to his relatives. He had, in fact, apparently been telling people for years that when it came time for him to go he planned on shooting himself. The Rocky Mountain News in Denver had a lengthy interview with his son today, who stressed that this had been expected although no one was sure of the timing. Basically, he didn't want to die in a hospital bed with "breathing tubes," unable to take care of himself, his son said.

Zeo · Post by **Zeo** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:09 pm

doctorthoss wrote:
Zeo wrote:moop, I posted that yesterday

http://www.knoxgothic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6609

I'm still shocked that Hunter shot himself. He wasn't in bad health, and his first novel, The Rum Diary, is being turned into a movie, starring once again Johnny Depp. He has been writing and had just started a comeback... It just don't make sense.

Having his ashes blasted out of a cannon for his funeral though. That wasn't so surprising. That's just Hunter's style.

Actually, his health had been failing in recent years, he had trouble walking on his own and was in a great deal of pain, according to his relatives. He had, in fact, apparently been telling people for years that when it came time for him to go he planned on shooting himself. The Rocky Mountain News in Denver had a lengthy interview with his son today, who stressed that this had been expected although no one was sure of the timing. Basically, he didn't want to die in a hospital bed with "breathing tubes," unable to take care of himself, his son said.

wow, I was unaware. must have skipped that part the article above.
Can't say I blame him then... breathing tubes? jesus.
that = the suck.