It was the summer of 2004, I looked out of my office window near Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia to see a white Cadillac parallel parking in front of our building. I was concerned it might hit another car parked along the curb so I went outside to help guide the driver safely into a parking space. When I got there, the car had already parked successfully and the driver remained inside. I stood there for a few minutes. Finally, a man wearing a black hat emerged. It was former heavyweight champion of the world, Smokin’ Joe Frazier. He said, “Is there a problem?” I said, “No problem, Champ. No problem.” He grinned and I grinned. He had come to Comcast to pay his cable bill. I asked him if he would take a picture with me. He said, “Sure!” Joe put his arm around me and patted my stomach and said, “What’s this?” just before my colleague Bruce Casella snapped the picture. Smokin’ Joe was the first fighter to beat Muhammad Ali in an epic called the “Fight of the Century.” They had two more re-matches which Ali won. Their last fight, “The Thrilla in Manila” was a war and afterward Ali said it was the closest he had ever come to dying. Eddie Futch wouldn’t let Joe go out for the final round because Joe couldn’t see anything, his eyes were swollen shut. Joe gave his all in every fight and was known for his vicious left hook. He won the gold medal in the 1964 Olympics but my chance encounter with him in 2004 is the thing I will most remember about Smokin’ Joe Frazier. RIP, Champ. — Buck Dopp, 11/8/2011
Skip Mesquite playing a benefit for slain Oakland police officers in 2009
STEVEN MESQUITE (1948 - 2010)
Steven (Skip) Mesquite May 29, 1948 - March 18, 2010 Awaiting the Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ Skip was preceded in death by his mother Elaine Mesquite, and brother, David Mesquite. He is survived by his Father, Herman Mesquite of Brentwood, CA. His wife, Nancy Mesquite, Brentwood, CA, Children, Tiffany Chesnosky (Mike), Matthew Mesquite (Jane), Stephen Mesquite, Melodee Kohut (Alex), Grandchildren, Andrew, Ellie, and Benjamin Chesnosky, Brother Richard Mesquite (Paula) Sister Susan Carnesecca (Lello), Brother in law, Robert Caruso (Linda). Many nieces, nephews and many many friends who will miss him greatly.
Stephanie and I spent 1975-1976 with Skip and Nancy when we lived in Ohio. He was a wonderful Christan man, a great sax player and he was all about his family. Nancy and Skip had 40 years together and look forward to seeing each other again someday when the Lord returns. We look forward to seeing him too.
Lisa Lochridge Tracy Songs--click on them and wait a few seconds for them to load.
"It was a great privilege for Lisa to have Skip Mesquite join her on one of her songs with his beautiful saxophone work.This was recorded and released on “Emmaus”.Skip’s life and ministry were very meaningful to her during her brief stint with Joyful Noise on her interim year with the 9th Way Corps.Like so many that were touched by Skip’s life, we were saddened when he fell asleep in March 2010.Let his example encourage us to walk with God." --Mike Tracy
I Will Sing Praise
"... This song was written by the great Skip Mesquite in 1981.When Lisa joined Joyful Noise on her interim year with the 9th Way Corps, Skip really helped to make her feel at home.This was before Lisa and I were married so she was known by her maiden name Lisa Lochridge.He nicknamed her “Lockjaw” after the great tenor saxophone artist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.Lisa recorded this for the “Paths Leading Home” album with Skip’s permission and blessing.It was recorded in CA with Dan Moran as engineer.We send it out as a Song of the Week after making sure with Nancy(Skip's Wife) that it would be a blessing to her as well." --Mike Tracy
Skip and Nancy Mesquite with their grand children in January 2010
Shirley Dopp, my Mom
Mom with Doug, Sheila and me in 1956
Rev. Jimmy E. Doop-1937-2006.Uncle Jimmy is Dad's
youngest brother. He introduced me to the two most
important people in my life, my wife Stephanie and Jesus Christ.
He was my teacher in practical ministry in the San Francisco Bay
area from 1972-1973. A former hippie from Haight-Ashbury,
he went back to his old friends and preached to them.
He taught me how to pray effectively and to started me off
in biblical studies. He could make the Word of God simple to
understand. He was by far the most humorous and colorful
member of the Dopp family. He kept teaching me the Word
and making me laugh until the day he died. In a way he was
like the big brother I never had. I miss my Uncle Jimmy.
Eric Dopp 1979 - 2006 Firefighter and EMT had a heart of service
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, Darrell R. Griffin, Jr.---was killed in battle in Iraq on March 21, 2007. Our thoughts and prayers are with his father Darrell and mother Kim.His father wrote: "Darrell Jr. was a strong believer in God as are his Mother and I. Your prayers and good thoughts are appreciated. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" for valor and Purple Heart among many others.Thank you Sergeant Griffin for your service to our country.
