Mail from Ryan Ward in Atlanta:
Greg,
Not sure how well you know Kevin Warmath. He’s an agent in Alpharetta near me and he came to your Bloodhound event last fall. Two nights ago while with his family, he had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital where they induced a coma. As of a couple of hours ago, they took him off of support. I’m not exactly sure about any details, but, it doesn’t seem positive at all. Kevin was one of your Black Peal Divers contest winners some time back. He will likely be leaving behind a wife and three young daughters. Not sure if it’s something you want to mention on your blog, but, you might, so I thought I’d let you know. Here’s all that I know:
CaringBridge
MaxSell.net
Ryan
As Ryan says, Kevin was one of our Black Pearl Divers last spring. At BloodhoundBlog Unchained in May, we watched him implementing many of the ideas we covered during the conference. Because of his good example, we knew we could expand to a much more hands-on format.
I can’t think of anything to say that’s not stupid and obvious, so I’m better off keeping my thoughts to myself. The first of Ryan’s link will give you a chance to leave a note for Kevin’s family.
Further notice: This was forwarded to me by Deryk Harper from Sydney Ray:
Dear Friends,
I have just received an update on Kevin and unfortunately it is not a good one. The doctors have done a cat scan and discovered that Kevin’s brain has swollen and that he is realistically no longer with us. According to the doctors he has no chance of survival at this point. They are going to keep him on a ventilator for 24 hours and take him off first thing in the morning. I am truly sorry to deliver this news via email, but I wanted you all to know.
I for one believe that while we may not always understand his ways our God is great and can move mountains even in the gravest of circumstances. I ask that today you pray for a miracle on Kevin’s behalf, for a miracle is what we will need to keep him. Please also continue to pray for strength and understanding for his family as they endure this battle.
Sydney Ray
Brad Nix says:
Greg:
I have just received an update on Kevin and unfortunately it is not a good one. The doctors have done a cat scan and discovered that Kevin’s brain has swollen and that he is realistically no longer with us. According to the doctors he has no chance of survival at this point. They are going to keep him on a ventilator for 24 hours and take him off first thing in the morning.
Continue to pray for strength and understanding for his family.
January 29, 2009 — 2:27 pm
Ryan Ward says:
Update: I just received this email. I’ll have more to say on my blog once I can gather my thoughts. I read everything Kevin wrote on his blog and learned from it all. I just don’t know what to say.
“Subject: Very Sad News …message from Sydney Ray
Dear Friends,
I have just received an update on Kevin and unfortunately it is not a good one.
The doctors have done a cat scan and discovered that Kevin’s brain has swollen
and that he is realistically no longer with us. According to the doctors he has
no chance of survival at this point. They are going to keep him on a ventilator
for 24 hours and take him off first thing in the morning. I am truly sorry to
deliver this news via email, but I wanted you all to know.
I for one believe that while we may not always understand his ways our God is
great and can move mountains even in the gravest of circumstances. I ask that
today you pray for a miracle on Kevin’s behalf, for a miracle is what we will
need to keep him. Please also continue to pray for strength and understanding
for his family as they endure this battle.
Sydney Ray”
My thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s family today.
January 29, 2009 — 2:29 pm
Greg Swann says:
Ryan and Brad, thanks for keeping us up to date. It’s hard for me to picture Kevin laid low. In my mind’s eye, I see him as the supremely confident cover model for a golf equipment catalog.
January 29, 2009 — 2:37 pm
Thomas Johnson says:
Wow. Linda and I are praying for Kevin and his family.
January 29, 2009 — 3:24 pm
Drew Meyers says:
Though I never met him in person, I considered Kevin a friend and had numerous conversations with him via e-mail and telephone over the past year or two. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with his family.
January 29, 2009 — 4:17 pm
Jay Myers says:
This is very sad news, I never met Kevin, but had corresponded with him several times. Great guy for helping others, and really respect him. I always keep an eye on his blog. He keeps one of the best looking WP real estate blogs, and one of the most thorough school information sites I have seen from an individual DIY’er. I really hope for the best for him and his family.
January 29, 2009 — 6:20 pm
Doug Quance says:
This is sad news, indeed.
Kevin is so young – which should remind us how precious and fragile life really is.
He and his family will be in our prayers.
January 29, 2009 — 10:05 pm
Mark M says:
Very sad news. Just puts things in perspective a little. Our prayers are with him and his family.
January 30, 2009 — 12:32 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Power’s been out for a couple of days at the office and I messed this one.
Thoughts and prayers from TeamEric for Kevin and his family. Thanks Ryan, et al for letting us know.
Eric
January 30, 2009 — 4:09 am
Tina Fountain says:
My thoughts and prayers go to Kevin and his family, he’s a true asset to the Atlanta real estate community.
January 30, 2009 — 5:37 am
Joe says:
This is very sad. Saddest for those left behind, especially the wife and children. This is a wake up call for those of us in mid-life (and older) to be regularly having physicals, and staying on top of the condition of our circulatory system.
Our family will be praying for the Warmath family.
January 30, 2009 — 6:01 am
Rob Saxe says:
Greg, thanks for the post on this. I’m a blog consultant at the real estate tomato and we’ve been looking for some info on this. I really appreciate it.
My heart goes out to his family and to all of us in this loss.
Rob
January 30, 2009 — 7:45 am
Mark Zielinski says:
To the Warmath family,
I am Mark Zielinski with Home Town Mortgage. I have gotten to know Kevin by working on real estate transactions with him. I have also been a fan of his blogs reporting on goings on in Milton and surrounding areas.
There are no words that can possibly comfort his family at this time, but I think already Kevein has left quite a legacy for his wife and 3 daughters. Although I did not know him intimately, it is quite clear from my readings and working with him that he loved his wife and 3 precious daughters to the ends of the earth. After the initial shock, disbelief and immediate mourning is done, his family will realize that the imprint of love for his family and concern for fellow citizens and strangers will be his legacy. His daughters can grow up knowing that their dad was a loving man, and the love he instilled in his daughters and to his wife, and countless other people cannot ever be taken away.
When all is said and done for each of God’s creations, we are all here on earth for a short time. Our lives here are just a quick snapshot in time, but through our relationship with Lord Jesus Christ, the one and only Living God, we are with Christ for eternity. We will be reunited with all believers when each of our days here on earth is over. My prayers are with the Warmath family and my heart is burdened and my eyes are tearing along with you. Knowing others care and love to help spread out the hurt will hopefully be of comfort to you and your family.
May God Bless you and give you strength during this time. From experiences of personal loss in my life, may this time be one that draws everyone closer to the Lord and not a time to draw away from the Lord. Kevin is with the Lord and is protected for Eternity. We will join him someday in heaven. Our greatest mission in this life is to spread the word of God to others, to give them happiness, hope, faith and true life here on Earth, and for Eternity. This is a tough time for all who knew Kevin, but let Love overcome hurt, and may we carry on Kevin’s legacy that he left in this world.
May God Bless the Warmath family, now and for the years to come,
Love,
Mark Zielinski
January 30, 2009 — 1:26 pm
Brad Nix says:
Update:
1/30: They have taken Kevin off of his medications but he is still on the ventilator. Kevin wanted to be an organ donor and Sylvie is honoring his wish. That will happen when there is no sign of brain activity. It could be within 24 hours, but there is no way of knowing. Once that occurs he will be cremated and a service will take place.
January 31, 2009 — 7:53 am
Greg Swann says:
Bless you, Brad. Thanks for the update. It’s nice to know that Kevin will live on in his generosity.
January 31, 2009 — 8:09 am
Brad Nix says:
John Kevin Warmath, 43, passed away today 1/31 at 10:15am. Honoring his wishes his organs will be used to save many other lives. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 3rd at 4pm at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd., Roswell, GA 30075. Visitation begins at 2pm and the service will be held at 4pm.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Warmath Children’s College fund. details at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinwarmath
January 31, 2009 — 2:41 pm
Greg Swann says:
Thanks, Brad. Requiescat in pacem.
January 31, 2009 — 2:59 pm
Greg Swann says:
Brad, can you give us a mailing address to send checks to?
January 31, 2009 — 3:10 pm
Brad Nix says:
Checks made payable to Sylvie Warmath can be mailed to:
Sylvie Warmath
130 Kittirnan Court
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Greg, thanks for your support of Kevin and his family. It was very nice to hear from Teri the other night as well.
January 31, 2009 — 4:51 pm
Brad Nix says:
The Warmath Family is now accepting online donations for the children’s college fund: http://maxsell.net/warmath/
February 12, 2009 — 6:28 am