Cory Carrier was known on IRC for many years as Gimpi. On Twitter, he named himself Krippl. To many of us, he was simply known as G. He was called a friend and/or a little brother by all of us.
Cory lived his life in a wheelchair, and spent much of the time on a respirator. He often joked about running people over with his chair (and actually did so many times!), and cracked on having to plug himself in to be able to breathe. Living this way isn’t a laughing matter to most. But it was to Cory. Gimpi had a very rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, yet he never let his disabilities get him down. He never bothered to feel sorry for himself. Instead, he lived his life in a way that inspired many of us over the years. He refused to bow down and be afraid of what “might” happen, nor did he live the way doctors felt he should. He didn’t live life as a “cripple”, as so many people tend to do… by just giving up on life if they find themselves having to live it differently than they think they should.
Instead, Cory LIVED life. He laughed at himself, and those around him. He was never cruel – he simply found humor in nearly everything. He was attending college, he was a kick-ass graphics designer, and he was a social-media freak. He was someone who could have deep intellectual conversations with you, and then turn around and make you laugh over silly things until tears rolled down your face.
I cannot even begin to try and sum up who Cory was as a person – or who he was to all of us. This site is a dedication to our friend by his “online family”. We are a large, close-knit group who have all been friends for many years now. Cory was like one of my kids, and actually called me his “Internet Mom” several times. Many of our group considered Cory their little brother… and in some cases, their best friend.
Not only do we plan to use this site to pay tribute to Cory, we are also working on a very special fundraiser. Cory worked with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, even appearing on the local segment of the telethon every year. We are working on coordinating a fundraiser to raise money for us to donate to that chapter of the MDA, in Cory’s name. Hopefully, this will allow them to help other kids like him to live their lives to the fullest, as well.
Cory – it’s been only two days, and we are all still in absolute shock. The grief and emotions run deep right now. Our hearts are heavy, and there is a hole there quite large. However, I promise you we are also laughing. We go back and read old WyldRyde quotes, and laugh ourselves silly remembering old times. We check old logs, forum posts, and the like… all reminding us of all the years of fun we had together.
You will never be forgotten, by any of us. Your indomitable nature and sheer willpower to live life on your own terms inspired us more than you would have ever known.
We love you, G.
Special thanks to Allan from ServerBolt for purchasing this domain for us, and for setting it up with free hosting. We sincerely appreciate his efforts in getting this site up and running.
Also thanks to Ryan for installing WordPress on here, and handling the maintenance for me. He knows how much I depend on him, and how much I appreciate the things he does to help keep me online! Add this site to the list of things I owe him dinner for!
8:24 pm on October 3rd, 2009
We’ll mss ya Corey
10:45 pm on October 3rd, 2009
I came across Kat’s tweet about this and I thought I would see what it was all about. I did not recognize the name Cory but as soon as I opened the page and saw the name Gimpi I knew who he was. He was an awesome person. He created, for free, a logo design i used for my business when I opened my magic shop and was more than a little helpful on the website I wanted! I knew he was in a wheelchair and even joked around with him in chat many times about it but I did not realize he was in such poor health! I do not know how he passed but I know he put a smile on my face every time I saw his nick in chat.
11:04 pm on October 3rd, 2009
Thank you all so much for letting us know how much our Cory meant to you. Hearing what you have to say is helping our broken hearts heal. We all love all of you
12:26 am on October 4th, 2009
Being around the Lockergnome community for many years connects me to quite a few people in many ways. Gimpi was someone I had heard of, seen in #lockergnome, read his quotes. He has a huge group of friends that will miss him and his sense of humor very much. He touched many people. Check his Twitter, @krippl, for an example of that humor.
Godspeed, and best wishes to his family and friends.
fortress
12:28 am on October 4th, 2009
To my namesake, although I had the E, you still called me namesake, and i will never forget the awesome times chatting with you over the years. You always make me smile and taught me to appreciate things in life.
Thanks for everything, and god speed.
12:56 am on October 4th, 2009
Gimpi I’ll miss you and your humor, but you will live forever in my memories.
Be free my friend
1:22 am on October 4th, 2009
Cory,
I love you man. No one could make fun of me better than you, and I will miss you dearly for it. You were my best friend, and that of so many others too.
1:36 am on October 4th, 2009
You better be taking your humor and spreading it around. There will never be another like you.
3:19 am on October 4th, 2009
[...] Cory, one on Chris Pirillo’s site (since I’m his ghost-writer), and one on the new Remembering Cory site. In both posts, I told his story as well as I could. I’m not going to do that here. Instead, [...]
3:58 am on October 4th, 2009
Gimpi,
Man, to know that someone you were around (at least virtually, on the internet) for around seven years has passed away is sobering. Of course you’d probably run me over for saying that, but still, I miss your humor. I really wish you were still here. Godspeed Gimpi, you were a really awesome person and no one can ever fill the void you left the world.
12:49 pm on October 4th, 2009
I will miss you Cory.
1:56 pm on October 4th, 2009
Man… just heard about Cory’s passing. So sorry to hear. You’ll surely be missed by everyone who knew you.
*Lights a candle for Cory*
May you rest in peace and know that we’ll never forget you.
8:37 pm on October 4th, 2009
From “Yay for hot nurses.” to this in the space of a few days knocks a fella back.
You’re probably already plugged into whatever they’ve got for the InterTubes on the other side Gimpi, hope you’re having fun with it.
RIP man.
9:11 pm on October 4th, 2009
Gimpi you will be missed buddy!
11:16 pm on October 4th, 2009
I never knew him that well, but he was always osomeone I loved… I’ll miss you Cory -snuggles- <3
9:57 am on October 5th, 2009
I first knew him as Zeke, or at least that’s the name that stuck with me. I didn’t talk much with him over the past few years, but it’s still a shock to me that he’s gone. There’s a Zeke shaped hole that’ll never be filled again, but i’ll never forget what was there.
Rest well, Zeke/Gimpi/Krippl/Cory. We’ll miss you.
10:55 am on October 5th, 2009
i had known cory for many many years. since when he first appeared on lockergnome way waaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day… back then he was so young he was close to my daughters age now…a little older…and she was just a baby …and in my eyes he was too
…and i always looked out for him…over the years he would do cool graphics for my daughter who was just a wee one back then… and make her photos look cool…like the pirate map theme one he did for her…so she would laugh and be happy……he was always wonderful to chat with, always had a kind word for me and my daughter…i always appreciated that…and will never forget it.
cory was always my bud…and the more i got to know him…he became more than just my bud…i saw him sometimes like a way younger brother and other times like a son…we discussed everything under the sun…
school…life…family…girls…art…books…girls…music and girls… i remember when he started high school…graduated…went to college… fell in love…i was so happy for him…
i just loved the guy…because he was so easy to love…and he loved life…ya know?
never did he have anything negative to say…always positive…funny and nice…he was always, just so awesome.
…right now im just shocked as i have just found out today..at cory’s passing… and my thoughts are just all over the place..right now its hard for me to say the things id like to say…but to everyone who knew him and loved him..i know you all understand how special of a kid cory was. even tho he had grown into a young man…going to college…to me…he was still a kid..a little brother… to me…my bud….
cory, may you rest in peace. know that you will always be remembered with love, and forever missed my friend.
to all of those who loved him family and friends…thank you for remembering him…i love you all for it.
chola
5:47 pm on October 5th, 2009
On TotalFark he was GeekyGimp. He was a hilarious addition to our online “family” and he will be incredibly missed. None other like him.
5:16 pm on October 6th, 2009
Cory was my little cousin. As we got older we didn’t see as much of eachother, as it goes. We saw eachother at family things and talked here and there online. What I remember most is when we were little and I used to spend the night at his house or go over and hang out. We would stay up and play with all his toys, he always had the best toys. When we did see eachother as adults he was so funny and such a smart ass. When I got married Cory gave me a ride around the dance floor, I will always remember that. The funniest thing is how scared my four year old was of his chair. We would all try so hard to bribe her with random things but it never worked. Cory and I used to always joke about locking her in a room with him so she could see that he was great and there was nothing to be scared of. Well…enough rambling. I miss you and love you
7:27 pm on October 6th, 2009
Cory taught me to look at life in a different way. Even though things might be tough in life, don’t forget about the humor. Every event in your life has a humorous side. I’ll never forget the one day in class that he faked not being able to breathe just to see what reaction I had. Cory said I passed the test when he saw me fly across the room in a single leap to get to him. I will miss him and his future contributions to this world.
7:43 pm on October 6th, 2009
For those friends who have asked where to make a donation in Cory’s memory, go to vistosomemorialchapel.com to find this information and to read a little more about our angel, Cory.
Your thoughts and words continue to mean a lot.
11:36 am on October 7th, 2009
Cory – How often I have thought about you! We will miss your quick smile and quirky sense of humor – I always admired your ability to “say it like it is!” – always so truthful and down to earth. My heart goes out to your family – you have touched so many different people in many ways – you will be missed!!!
Geri – CDO High School
7:43 pm on October 7th, 2009
TJ and I didn’t know Cory but from the things we’ve read or from people that have known him. He sounded like a awesome person! Cory you’ll be missed from a lot of people. Our thought and prayers our with his family and friends. R.I.P Cory!
2:48 am on October 8th, 2009
I was Cory’s summer school US/Arizona Constitution and Government teacher. Like all his friends, I’ll always remember Cory for his wicked sense of humor — we both shared a love for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (I still have the DVD of Jon Stewart clips he burned for me).
But I’ll also remember Cory for the interesting and unique way his mind worked. During my class I told Cory that someday his name would show up on my ballot — and when that day came, he could count on my vote.
So while I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends, I guess the truth is that I feel sorrier for myself. I wanted so badly to be able to keep that promise.
RIP Cory — I’ll remember you whenever I watch The Daily Show!
11:33 am on October 9th, 2009
Po,
Our loss is the Lord’s gain.
You will never be forgotten.
Mo
10:43 am on October 10th, 2009
This old squirrel is really going to miss our little buddy, Gimpi, as you walk the golden paths of heavens, look down upon us and smile. We will remember all the times you made us smile here on earth.
11:48 am on October 10th, 2009
I never knew him that much, I’ve only seen him lurking around in some channels that I also lurk in and his humorous antics on WR qdb, but my thoughts go to all the people who do know and love him. You will be missed Cory!!
4:15 pm on October 10th, 2009
Here is another radio tribute show for Cory, this one done by Lumpy at Geeksradio: http://www.geeksradio.fm/2009/10/for-cory-gimpi-carrier/
11:47 pm on October 10th, 2009
I met Cory at CDO high school in yearbook, although I didn’t know him that well…he was still such an awesome guy and a great designer.
So sorry to hear for your loss. He will definately be missed!!
8:01 pm on October 13th, 2009
I cared too. Not as much as I coulda, shoulda,
For the happiness you shared so freely, Gimpi, much thanks.
5:27 pm on October 15th, 2009
Cory, I will be missing you. Thank you for talking with me when I needed someone to hear. Rest in sweet Peace my Dear. I know you are smiling now. Thank you for being who you were, showing us the important things in life, our reminder of what is truly important. We will miss that.
2:35 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Hi Cousin,
Just thinkning about you. I miss you and think about you often, still hard to believe.
4:51 pm on October 23rd, 2009
Hey cousin, just thinking about you. Miss you so much…it still doesnt feel real.
2:58 pm on October 25th, 2009
Just by happenstance, I saw a photo of Cory and realized I did a drawing of him shortly before he passed away:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jawboneradio/3914289362/in/set-72157622172435697/
I’m sorry to hear about this loss. My prayers are with him and his family.
7:10 pm on November 8th, 2009
i still cant let go…
10:46 pm on December 2nd, 2009
Hi cousin. For some reason today I feel like I need to talk to you more then usual. Well, I will listen carefully for you to talk back, I know you will.
8:49 pm on December 7th, 2009
Happy birthday Cory -hugs-
1:32 am on December 11th, 2009
Thank you so much for the words written above. I cannot believe the number of lives my little man touched. He had a difficult life, but never once complained about it – instead as has been said many times in many places – he lived life to the fullest, with never a complaint. I love all of you who have touched my Cory’s life, for all of you had a part in making him the wonderful man he was and still is. He is around me all the time, watching over me and helping me try to understand why he had to leave this earth. To lose such a wonderful son is heartbreaking, but I had him for a lot longer than anyone ever imagined. I have to feel blessed for that and for being chosen to be his mom. There will always be a large hole in my heart until the day that his soul and mine are together again. Peace to you all and love from Cory’s mom
5:36 pm on December 25th, 2009
Merry Christmas Cory – I miss you so much. Today is not like any Christmas I have had since you were born. Thanks for makig it snow. I love you and I mss you my sweet baby
12:34 pm on December 29th, 2009
I actually had some time today to read what all of you have been writing – I can not believe my son meant so much to so many, although it does not surprise me. You all sound like wonderful people and one of these days I am going to learn how to use chat rooms, facebook, etc. etc. Thank you to you all – you make me even more proud of my son, whom I was already extremely proud of!!!