Messenger Memorial - Damon Votour

Damon Votour
San Francisco, d.30.December.2021

Damon

Damon Votour was a legendary San Francisco bike messenger, racer, activist and organizer. He was President of the San Francisco Bike Messenger Association (SFBMA) for many years. He was one of the creators of the Quake City Rumble, one of San Francisco's most famous annual races that brings messengers from all over the world to the city.

Don't know if I got a bunch of words but I do know that Damon Votour has now left us all here, it's just fucking sad, give em all kinds of shit Damon wherever you are and you will be missed lil fella. DPW - Scott Davenso

I just heard that Damon Votour died this morning at SF General. He was a bike messenger and president of the SF Bike Messenger Association when we were organizing bummies in the early 2000s. I ran into him over the years, when he worked at the Lusty Lady or some bar. Even though he'd been in and out of the hospital for a bit, he was funny and talking shit as usual on facebook up til last night. RIP to a real one. - Nato Green

Damon is/was very much loved and a great part of our community. He was an SFBMA president for one of the longest terms. When I first met him he was a young rookie. It was great to see him reach out to so many messengers as a strong and honest leader. After he no longer messenged- he became known for his wonderful bbq skills and was still in the heart of the scene. He was a strong supporter of workers’ rights and he loved all of his friends dearly - Miss L

DamonVotour, you were possibly my grumpiest friend. But you were still my friend. You fed me cheesburgers and never told me to fuck off. We played RISK in the window of LeatherTounge Video dressed as 5 star generals the day it closed for good. You called any music you didn't like "butt rock" and there was no correcting you. You will be missed. :( - Jenner Davis

This is HEARTBREAKING. Rest in Power, Brother Damon! - Carey Dall

WTF ? JUST HAD A CHAT ON FB WITH HIM NOT 36 hours ago 🥺💔🥺💔💔💔😥😥😥😥😥DAMON - Roy Salkin

photo by Kyle Sheppard

🤔hey that's me, approaching superior court on a rain day,. I can tell because I'm wearing my rain pants and that was also a very windy day as my Zo bag is flipping up, haha, - Damon Votour

Damn… Damon was definitely a one of the good ones. RIP Brother. - David Stein

This us the worst news. He was the kindest heart and the most authentic, sweet soul. RIP - Emma Goldman

Horrible awful news. thanks for all the laughs and rest in peace Damon. Ride into eternity with Team Satan - Matt Royston

Nooooooo I knew Damon for over 30 years, such a great guy. Very sad. - Rebecca G. Wilson

Terrible news. RIP old friend. The passing of a legend. - Jayson Lingen

Oh man, Damon was a gr8 dude!!! He always t👀k the time 2 wave or say hi back 2 me (“Wrong Way”—Speedway’s #11)... May your soul
Rest In Eternal Peace 4ever Damon Votour..- Gary Gary Gascoigne-Smith

2 wonderful guys we have lost too soon, first Damon Votour and now Shawn Bega Blumenfeld. I still can't believe it. My heart is broke
To everybody out there: I know it's been a really long time we haven't seen each other, I am thinking of you and our amazing and crazy time we had somewhere in this world. I love you all ❤️ take care and I hope to see you soon somewhere - Maria Löfler

Interviewed him two years ago. So nice to me. Bought me a beer at Nortons. Spent a couple of hours answering my stupid questions. One of a kind - Gordon Harvey

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Came home last night after a long week wishing I was in SF for my friend Damon Votour's wake. I decided on kitty snuggles and couch time, and fell asleep early and awoke in the same place many hours later. This morning has been blessed waking up early, and watching the videos from last night. The crows are racing up and down my street, the sun is shining, and my heart is light knowing there was so much love and solidarity shared in his memory. What a blessed community we messengers have. Damon, you were the coolest curmudgeon, music critic, community beacon and organizer, asshole, sweetheart, and an icon in SF. I hope to smoke a doobie and listen to the Dead with you post a Giants/Dodgers game again with you in heaven, bro 😉💗❤️ - Rebecca Lynn

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The passing of Damon Votour. Makes me realize I may not keep in touch enough..yeah may not is a stretch,I been a lame'o..if I ever loved you,I always love you,TRULY LOVE YOU. if you call I will ignore you till I know who u are but I likely still love you. - Magnolia Rainbow

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RIP Damon Votour. No words, really. I heard from Debbie Horn who knew him in Oregon where as a teen he was in a punk band. I loved his BBQ at Benders, saw him in almost all the Mission bars worth walking into. His grasp of the Sociology of the moment was sharp as a paper cut. Gave him a ride home from the hospital maybe five years ago and thought his problems (medically ) were behind him. Very sad news. - Ronald Edward Turner

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DamonVotour, you were possibly my grumpiest friend. But you were still my friend. You fed me cheesburgers and never told me to fuck off. We played RISK in the window of LeatherTounge Video dressed as 5 star generals the day it closed for good. You called any music you didn't like "butt rock" and there was no correcting you. You will be missed. 🙁- Jenner Davis

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When Damon and I were roommates MySpace was still pretty new and everyone had Nextels so there’s no pictures to share. We planned the first Quake City Rumble in that flat after he moved in. Everyone I lived in that place with is now either sober or dead. My heart is so heavy. Thinking of all my SFBMA fam and sending love. RIP Prez. 🙏🏻🖤 - Katie Scanland

Damon Votour, rest well my brother. May you find happiness. You were a friend to many and seeing you was like running into family, every time. Thanks for all of those good times. You’ll be remembered as one of the good ones, which barely scratches the surface as far as I’m concerned. You were gold. - Dion Garcia