Insane Throttle sends it’s condolences out to the Warlock Nation, family and friends of Grub 1%er. Godspeed and thank you for serving our country and showing the biker community how its done.
BY Dave Walters
I’ve deployed. I’ve served overseas. I’ve spent countless hours shifting back and forth through the stages of “Fuck we’re gonna die” and busting balls. The what seems like endless hours of bullshitting, card games, gear checks, patrols, trading Rip-its with Afghan kids so they’ll point out IEDs, and dreaming up all the shit you guys are going to do when you get home. That bond to those you share those moments with… Is the best fucking drug in the whole world. For a lot of us, it’s the hardest thing about being out of uniform. It is the thing that drives us to be the best Probates/Prospects we can.
I’ve never been to Vietnam. I never served aboard an Aircraft Carrier. I would guess though, that the similarities between those Brothers, and mine, was exactly the same. In the Mid 1960s, 13 Sailors would find themselves in those exact same card games. They had nicknames for each other like Grub, Kid, Scotty, Skip,Hate, Chico, the list goes on.
They served on the USS Shangri-La . She would earn three battle stars for service in Vietnam and was assigned to the 6th Fleet of Operations. The ship would be home-ported in Mayport Florida and apart of the active fleet until 1971, before being decommissioned and eventually used for parts for Lexington Class Carriers.
They killed time smoking cigarettes, drinking stale shipboard coffee and in between duties in the engine room and launching and recovering jets, these 13 sailors talked about their love of riding Harleys, partying, the great places to grab a burger on Jax Beach and all the tail they were gonna chase, and maybe get turned down by, when they returned home. One sailor in particular was igniting the fire under his Brothers. They talked about choppers, engines, rakes and trees. Fly wheels and do you really need breaks? That one Sailor was known to his friends as “Grub”. His real name was Tom Freeland and he was there as someone drew up a blazing eagle, which has remained unchanged since 1967. He talked of a name, “Warlocks” and how all 13 of them would get their discharges and start up chapters where they settled down.
In 1967 one of the 13, Scotty, would start the first chapter in Jax Beach. It was comprised of a few of the original 13 and some other sailors from off Mayport Naval Station. Unfortunately, with many members returning to Vietnam, some getting new duty stations in California, or getting out and starting families, the first Chapter closed down within a few years. Grub remembered the promise though. When he was finally discharged from the Navy in 1971 he returned home ready to ride. Ready to party. Ready to fly his Eagle. He started his chapter in Lockhart Florida, near Orlando. For some of the 13 though, the euphoria of being home from War, reunited with family, changed their desire to start a club. Not all, and certainly not for Grub.
If you look through Clubs today, those that have been around for awhile. Have had the staying power. No matter 99 or 1%, finding a 50 year member is a rare feet. Finding someone with the drive, love, passion, and ability to not only lead, but to know when to let someone else lead, and to continue on as a loved, and righteous Brother putting in over 50 years, is something we can all respect. That dedication to something bigger than himself is why you can find members today proclaiming the motto “God is Good, Grub is Great”!
Grub wasn’t the only Brother to hold his promise once he had his discharge in hand. His Brother Kid would also open up a chapter of the club. After his time on the Shangri-La, Kid would go home to Minnesota and found the second chapter of the club. A couple of days ago marked the 4 year anniversary of Kid’s passing. When he passed, in between attending funeral events, a few of his Brothers were able to go see the anchor from the USS Shangri-La which is on display in Litchfield, Minnesota. You can also see it’s propellers on display in a Seafood restaurant in Milford, Delaware if you’re ever so inclined.
I end this with my old saying. I don’t give a shit which team ya love and root for. 50 years of history deserves all our respect. oh and if Grub ever reads this, we still dream of the same shit and get turned down by just as much tail when we get home.
Insane Throttle 
29 responses to “Grub from the Warlocks MC passes away. If you look through Clubs today, those that have been around for awhile. Have had the staying power. No matter 99 or 1%, finding a 50 year member is a rare feet.”
Nice
LikeLike
Good deal and ride in peace
LikeLike
RIP my friend! You will be greatly missed by many!
You were a true man of honor, loyalty and respect!
Ride the sky my friend!
LikeLike
Ride Free Forever.
LikeLike
I will miss you my friend. You made me feel like part of your family and i will never foget you.
LikeLike
thank you for the kind words about my brother, i have over thirty years of history and god times with Grub, and he will be missed by us old timers, Much Warlock Love and Respect, Big John 1%er
LikeLike
It took a man of great honor to say,” the warlocks” wasn’t my idea but I made it what it is. Honest and filled with a dream, you made it happen! So much love and respect!
LikeLike
The warlocks lost a”great “leader.
Condolences to all. Respect, honor
To all.
LikeLike
Grub will be missed by not only myself and all my brothers, but by everyone that had the honor to spend even the slightest amount of time with him. Grub not only was an active Warlock M/c member but lived the Fight, Fuck & Ride life to the Nth degree all day every day! He showed us how to be and what it was to be a 1%er and a Warlock. For that I’m for ever grateful and honored to call him my brother and friend. I miss you already boss and imagine I will continue to for as long as I live. Our Nation thanks you for everything boss, a piece of us all has left with you, but you showed us how to carry the club into future and we will in your honor. Ride in Paradise boss!!!
LikeLike
Condolences from South Jersey Hawg Ridin’ Fools MC. Party with him several times. Had trouble understanding what he said sometimes LOL. But always looked forward to sitting and having a few beers with him. A tribute to know him. Lerch. HRFMC SJ.
LikeLike
Wow that was beautiful. RIP brother. The forever chapter has gained another one
LikeLike
[…] Grub from the Warlocks MC passes away. If you look through Clubs today, those that have been around … […]
LikeLike
Rest in paradise my friend. True honor to know you. You may be gone but will never be forgotten.
LikeLike
I remember when I first met this legend at nationals in Virginia many years ago. My old man sent me to the store to buy the best steak I could find for Grub. I got back and we showed Grub and he shook his head stating
“I left my damn teeth back home. .I can’t eat no fu!##!÷ steak. .but do you gotta hot dog? !”
PRICELESS
LikeLike
R.I.P. Grub. Thunder Chpt. gains another Legend. Respect and Condolences to his family and Brothers!
LikeLike
Very honest and true orbituary on our BOSS ,thank you,, a giant of a man who stood out from the rest,,to say hel be missed is an understatement but “God is good but Grub is GREAT “ ride free with the Freebird chapter ,,L,H+R Kellywmc Scunthorpe England
LikeLike
RIP my good friend. Never forget the talks we had at animal’s. I learned a lot from u. Fly high. C u one day again my friend!
LikeLike
For 30 years, my Boss, my brother, my friend, l will surely miss our talks about our old day’s. Love, Honor and Respect
LikeLike
For 30 years he was my Boss, my Brother, my Friend,
Love Honor Respect
LikeLike
Sadness and a broken heart 💔 from your other Cindy… Gonna miss you “harvesting a hangover”at the harvest party !fly high my ole friend!!!
LikeLike
Condolences to the Warlock Nation. Welcome to the Forever Charter Grub. Say hey to Larry G for me.
Respectfully,
Tiny HAMC ECA
LikeLike
[…] Grub from the Warlocks MC passes away. If you look through Clubs today, those that have been around … […]
LikeLike
The passing of a great man and brother you will be truly missed ride high with the freebirds
LikeLike
Rip Grub, I didn’t know you brother, but I know what kind of man you were, thank you for your service, and one day well meet in the great beyond.
LikeLike
Rest in Peace, my friend and Brother in arms. The memories we shared, the drinks and stories. The ride when we rode to Lockhart for the 50th anniversary of The Warlocks with you being the longest active member is a memory that I’ll always cherish. Freebirds Chapter now for you. I’m honored to have been your friend and Shangri La shipmate. I’ll meet you on the other side. WFFW. Fair winds and following seas, Grub.
LikeLike
much love and respect glad to have met you wffw. love the Stanton station crew
LikeLike
Rest in peace Grub. A very special thank you for making Cousin Cindy happy 💞💞💞
LikeLike
Rip. Not a brother but ty for all uve done for the riding community. Enjoy those golden trails
LikeLike
[…] Grub from the Warlocks MC passes away. If you look through Clubs today, those that have been around … […]
LikeLike