With many regrets I hate to info the John Dee community that Darrell Grams has passed today. He is in a better place and is not suffering anymore. He was one of the biggest supporters of our sports in the Western UP area. To those us of that got to know Darrell we really loved him. A guy that would do anything for you. Goodbye for now but not forever. RIP
Peppermill Rentals- Cindy and Darrell Grams
- Thread starter 4kops
- Start date
My dad enjoyed telling stories, bringing people down to his river cabin and offering his shop/tools to anyone who had sled problems. He really enjoyed his almost 20 years in Rockland and was proud to tell everyone about the area he called home. Like Jeff said, my dad was a big supporter of Western UP sports and was always promoting other local businesses to outsiders. He also enjoyed all the hunters that would stay at Peppermill Lodging each year. Things will be different and very difficult as the Peppermill era has come to an end. Please share any stories you have of Peppermill. Dad and mom loved each and everyone of you.
Thanks
Jason Grams
Thanks
Jason Grams
Very sorry to hear this and sympathies to his wife and family, The first time I met him we were at Henry's Never Inn. one of the guys in our group had broke a suspension arm on his sled, Darrell had overheard us talking about it and without hesitation offered us the use of his shop and equipment, didn't know us from jack. I will never forget his generosity and he was a very kind of person, each time we would run into him I would thank him for that day. I am very sorry to hear this and also greatfull we crossed paths and was able to meet him.
Just a thought.. to recognize and memorialize who he was and his contributions to the area and the sport, name the 13 loop in his memory
Just a thought.. to recognize and memorialize who he was and his contributions to the area and the sport, name the 13 loop in his memory
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Wow euphoric1 wouldn’t that be awesome not sure how that would happen. I first met Darrell and Cindy when my family was staying on Gogebic over Christmas / New Years my oldest son and I went to look at a house that they where selling and Darrell starts talking about how we could do this and do that and make this place like new and really nice. While my son told me “you buy this place and mom is going to kill you” so 5 months later I bought it and Darrell completely gutted and redid along with my help on some weekends. My stories and memories from that remodel experience with him while staying across the street at Jason house are priceless. The Rockland landscape is going to change. Never forget the time I called him to pick a buddy up that rolled his sled and we went riding ended up taking that guy to the hospital because he break some ribs. Darrell always said man that guys was a baby every bump we hit he wined. Just so much to share. Unbelievable guy.
favoritos
Well-known member
The news is tough to hear. Jgrams, our thoughts and wishes to you and your family.
We did know your dad. We spent some great times with him as he showed us around the area in winter. It was a pleasure to spend time with someone that took joy in showing and talking about the area. We still stop at some special spots and mention how Darrell showed the location and told stories about the place.
He made those places special.
We also got to know him a little better than intended. Life happens out on the trails and he rescued our sorry butts too many times. Talking was easy and three sitting in the cab was plenty tight. We still joke about Potato Farm Road. (We better check to make sure we had Darrell's number if we planned on riding that area.) He'd joke that maybe we should stay off that trail. It was never a question if he would help. The discussion was about how and when. That is simple enough to state and says a lot.
We call our tie downs "Darrell Straps". They don't need to look fancy, they just need to do the job. (It started as a joke about the variety and quantity of tie downs he had ready.) He could sort through the stash like nobody's business. We learned to "wait" because it was faster than trying ourselves.
Thoughts bring smiles and memories. He has left a mark we will continue to cherish.
We did know your dad. We spent some great times with him as he showed us around the area in winter. It was a pleasure to spend time with someone that took joy in showing and talking about the area. We still stop at some special spots and mention how Darrell showed the location and told stories about the place.
He made those places special.
We also got to know him a little better than intended. Life happens out on the trails and he rescued our sorry butts too many times. Talking was easy and three sitting in the cab was plenty tight. We still joke about Potato Farm Road. (We better check to make sure we had Darrell's number if we planned on riding that area.) He'd joke that maybe we should stay off that trail. It was never a question if he would help. The discussion was about how and when. That is simple enough to state and says a lot.
We call our tie downs "Darrell Straps". They don't need to look fancy, they just need to do the job. (It started as a joke about the variety and quantity of tie downs he had ready.) He could sort through the stash like nobody's business. We learned to "wait" because it was faster than trying ourselves.
Thoughts bring smiles and memories. He has left a mark we will continue to cherish.
onlypolar4me
Member
So sorry to hear, always enjoyed visiting with Darrell.
Prayers of comfort to the family at this time.
Brent
Prayers of comfort to the family at this time.
Brent
peppermill
New member
Thank you all for the kind words. He loved talking to everyone. We never went riding without having to stop on the trail and talk to people who were stopped on the trail. Thank you so much.
High Country
Member
So sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Such a nice guy.
Have stayed in there rentals with a couple different groups and a few solo trips snowmobiling and 4 wheeling. Have seen him in Henry's giving advice and offering help to others multiple times over the years. Even ridden a couple times with groups of strangers up there who've had issues with there equipment, or met people at bars who had broken down and heard how I'll call Darell,or Darells on his way to pick us up. Pretty cool how people from all over knew him and that he could,and would help them out. Also appreciated Darelle and Cindy's (not sure on proper spelling g sorry) no hassle rental policy...no b.s .just give them your #and your dates show up let yourself in,to a clean ,warm place with plenty of towels ,blankets, fully stocked kitchen, if they see you great which it was always nice seeing and talking to them. If not enjoy your stay leave them your cold hard cash and head on down the road.
Have stayed in there rentals with a couple different groups and a few solo trips snowmobiling and 4 wheeling. Have seen him in Henry's giving advice and offering help to others multiple times over the years. Even ridden a couple times with groups of strangers up there who've had issues with there equipment, or met people at bars who had broken down and heard how I'll call Darell,or Darells on his way to pick us up. Pretty cool how people from all over knew him and that he could,and would help them out. Also appreciated Darelle and Cindy's (not sure on proper spelling g sorry) no hassle rental policy...no b.s .just give them your #and your dates show up let yourself in,to a clean ,warm place with plenty of towels ,blankets, fully stocked kitchen, if they see you great which it was always nice seeing and talking to them. If not enjoy your stay leave them your cold hard cash and head on down the road.
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Never met him, but it is clear, he was one of the good ones!</span><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My heartfelt condolences.<br><br>-John</div>
peppermill
New member
Thank you guys. I don't know for sure how I am going to rent or even if I am. I know I have sold House #3. That was sold before Darrell passed. The apts. are not going to be rented. House #1 is for sale. If it doesn't sell I may rent occasionally. House #2 I am going to try and have limited rent on that one. I would love to keep them all open but it is way too hard to find reliable help to do the job that Darrell & I did. I would not expect anybody to come into anything less than how we cleaned and kept them up. I want to say thank you for the years of your support. Peppermill would not have been so successful if it hadn't been for all of you. Darrell lived for socializing and helping you all of you and then telling me most of the stories you had told him. Again thank you and maybe I will see you this coming year. RIP MY DEAR LOVED ONE.
snowdance
Member
My condolences to the Peppermill Family, Stayed at Peppermill a few times. I remember we had an issue with a snowmobile and Darrell opened his shop up and welded the broken part for us. He also took us for a snowmobile ride and showed us some local areas to "Play". He was definitely a stand up guy and will be greatly missed.
Several years back, we rented the trailer home right next to the shop. While we were there, the water service in town went out. I believe it was Darrell that had several five gallon buckets of clean water filled and waiting for us before we were even awake in the morning. We also used the shop to repair a sled. The home was clean and priced reasonably and Peppermill supported snowmobiling for so long. Thanks for the great memories and RIP.