Author Topic: Passing of forum member Giant Gecko (Read 1538 times)

Jaboticaba45 · « **on:** March 20, 2025, 10:03:13 PM »

I am deeply saddened to announce that one of our rare fruit growers Giant Gecko (David Miller) has passed away a couple days ago from cancer.
Many of you know David as he regularly posted on the PGA (Psidium Growers Association) thread and was responsible for bringing in and distributing many new varieties of Psidiums.
I had the privilege of meeting David this last fall and his collection was amazing. He even had some Campomanesias and Psidiums that were fruiting in pots. I know a lot of us have gotten plants and seeds from him. He faced his health challenges with courage and unshakeable faith. He has left behind his wife and two young kids.

I just wanted to share a quote from one of his posts on Facebook, "I started buying seeds native to Caledonia around 2012. Stopped keeping reptiles but started growing mainly subtropical fruit trees from Brazil 2019. Mainly varieties of ecotypes, growing conditions and size. Always learning something. Thank you for all the inspiration, advice, and learning my friends. I'm going on the ultimate vacation, you all keep up the great work".

I will always think of David every time I see the Psidiums and other plants I got from him.

Here is a link to the gofundme for his family - https://gofund.me/095ad629

Moderator, I hope this allowed, please let me know if not.

Jaboticaba45 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2025, 10:07:10 PM »

One of David's friends, Derrick, is planning to auction off some of David's collection to help his family.
I will update this thread when that happens.

hammer524 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2025, 10:10:43 PM »

Sad to hear. Ill keep him in my thoughts whenever I care for my guavas I bought from him

SDPirate · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2025, 10:19:06 PM »

Sad day for TFF. I had purchased some plants from him in the past, seemed like a really nice guy through messages. Condolences to him and his family.

brian · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2025, 10:20:03 PM »

Very sorry to hear

Cancer ain't fair.

roblack · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2025, 10:34:27 PM »

Really sad news, I was just reading one of his old threads.

Calusa · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2025, 11:30:01 PM »

Galatians522 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2025, 11:49:13 PM »

That is very sad news. Not that long ago a very dear friend was passing from cancer and I got to sit on the porch with him and talk. Most of his hair had fallen out and his body was getting weaker every day. To my perspective there was not much to be thankful for. In fact, even my being there was due to him doing a favor for someone else (and I was the go between). But, that was how he lived his life--all the way to the end...

What he said blew me away, "I can't complain. God has been so good to me." I hope that when my time comes, I will have the faith to say the same. In the mean time, I want to make sure that I tell the people I care about that I love them and how precious they are to me. Thank you for letting us know.

elouicious · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2025, 12:17:17 AM »

Ugh shit-

I knew he was having health troubles but this is terrible news,

thanks for sharing Jabo

SHV · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2025, 12:26:26 AM »

Wow, just heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing the GoFundMe, Jabo.
Would love to help contribute toward the preservation of his rare fruit collection, whether it be in my hands or others.

docky · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2025, 01:10:03 AM »

Very sad news, RIP David
Feel lucky to have some of your plants in the ground and will remember you through them. A hui ho

FruitFool · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2025, 01:17:55 AM »

Sad. RIP. Prayers for family.

Ognin525 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2025, 06:59:11 AM »

Well miss you dave! RIP brother

Rispa · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2025, 04:16:27 AM »

Rest in peace good sir

sytanta · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2025, 04:42:14 AM »

RIP

johnb51 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2025, 10:15:15 AM »

"I'm going on the ultimate vacation." Heartbreaking, although I'm sure it has become true for such a good soul. So sad for the family he had to leave behind.

FV Fruit Freak · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2025, 11:29:58 AM »

Dave was one of the kindest members on this forum to talk plants with…Hope you’re eating all the fruits you never got to my friend. Your memory will live on in our garden. Thx for sharing Ryan.

Julie · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2025, 11:52:38 AM »

chrisafix23 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2025, 02:39:14 PM »

So sad. He was a great guy. Everything I bought from him was always high quality. You could tell he had a passion for this hobby. Reminds us that life is fragile. Everytime I look at the plants he sold me, I tear up a bit.

CarolinaZone · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2025, 08:21:50 PM »

My condolences.

canito 17 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2025, 08:52:46 PM »

Rip. How old was he?

Jaboticaba45 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2025, 09:38:39 PM »

Quote from: canito 17 on March 22, 2025, 08:52:46 PM

Rip. How old was he?

I believe he was 45.

sytanta · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2025, 09:54:04 PM »

Quote from: Jaboticaba45 on March 22, 2025, 09:38:39 PM

Quote from: canito 17 on March 22, 2025, 08:52:46 PM
Rip. How old was he?
I believe he was 45.

He is still too young.

docky · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2025, 11:30:36 PM »

I got an idea to raise some $ for David's go fund me. I'm taking scions orders for another week and will be done on Friday 4/4. Any orders that come in will go to David's go fund me. To keep things transparent I'll post orders with $ totals as they come in and post a screen shot of the grand total being donated into David's go fund me page on Friday when I stop taking orders. I'll update my sales thread now it can be viewed in the buy/sell section

SHV · « **Reply #24 on:** March 22, 2025, 11:54:39 PM »

Docky- that is really solid of you and an excellent idea. I will check out your for sale thread and make my contribution.

News:

Author Topic: Passing of forum member Giant Gecko (Read 1538 times)