I was scrolling through my phone contacts and I came across "Bunyard". I have thought about Boon often since his passing. Everyone called him Boon or Bunior, as did I from the day I met him but I also started calling him Bunyard at some point, as did others. I know he liked Bunyard as when he'd call he'd simply say "Brownie, Bunyard!". I have been trying to remember when I met him and I simply can't. I've racked my brain and I can only estimate that it was somewhere between 20 - 25 years ago, 1992 - 1997.
One of many times with Bunyard I'll never forget is the night he invited me in to his hot tub and I declined - "I ain't gettin' in that seething cauldron of bacteria!" I responded, with a smile. Boon laughed so hard which of course made me laugh and we were both in tears. I then asked him how many raccoons were living underneath that thing and he spit up his brewsky on Stick-man.
Bunior/Boon/Bunyard/Barnyard/Boon-Dog was definitely a special person; he was smart, kind, witty, hilarious, loyal, generous, selfless, and cool. One of the best human beings I've ever known. It occurred to me that I never heard Boon rip on anyone like most guys do, not even a mild ribbing in jest and I don't think this was a conscious decision, it was simply part of his character, who he was. He was above that and his humor was more, I don't know, intellectual I guess but even that doesn't describe it. Uniquely witty I suppose, just one of MANY reasons why so many people loved him AND instantly liked him when they met him.
I have many memories of great times with my friend Bunyard and I know he would want me to remember all the times we laughed so much it hurt. The times we had to walk away from each other in order to breathe properly and stop the pain in our guts. We made each other cry for cryin' out loud - from laughing so much! Sharing these moments with another human being is incredibly rare and looking back I wish I could have spent more time with him. It was an honor and a pleasure to know this man and to be his friend. Bunyard will stay in my phone and my memory for as long as I live.
Kent Brown