Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. The final resting places of Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmembers Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines were desecrated by vandals last week at Florida's Jacksonville . To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Learn more about merges. Theories abound, but no one knows for sure what motivated the grave robber(s). Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. To open the vault would require a Tractor with a . [10] Their mausoleums at Orange Park remain as memorials for fans to visit. I joined the local group, the Collegiates, after dropping out of school to pursue a career in music. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Ronnie Van Zant (6742069)? Please reset your password. Year should not be greater than current year. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. They all perished along with their assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary . He was the oldest son of six children (3 sisters and 2 brothers - musicians Donnie and Johnny). Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Ronnie Van Zant, along with band members Steve Gaines, and tour members Cassie Gains, who sang backup, Dean Kilpatrick . You are not forgotten." Ronnie Van Zant was a rock and roll icon and a southern legend. On October 20, 1977, with band members Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, he was killed when the band's chartered flight to Baton Rouge crashed due to mechanical problems in west Mississippi. When Skinner died, The New York Times called him arguably the most influential high school gym teacher in American popular culture. He was buried in the western part of Riverside Memorial Park, not far from his former student Allen Collins. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Ronnie Van Zant. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Larry Junstrom (1949 2019) was a member of two prominent Southern Rock bands from Jacksonville: Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Family members linked to this person will appear here. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Leon Wilkeson (1952 2001) joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972 to replace departed bassist Greg T. Walker. Other fatalities included the band's road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and the pilot, and co-pilot of the aircraft. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The passengers had been informed about potential problems with the Convair CV-240 and were told to brace for a crash. Please enter your email and password to sign in. He is buried with his wife, Cathy, and near other members of the family. Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines were laid to rest together at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park. Van Zant was buried in Orange Park, Florida in 1977, but was relocated after vandals broke into his and bandmate Steve Gaines' tombs on June 29, 2000. If you need help with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, to Lacy Austin (19152004) and Marion Virginia (ne Hicks) Van Zant (19292000). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6742069/ronnie-van_zant. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Try again. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Current burial here, Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Again, emotions were high and decisions had to be made quickly., He was moved to Riverside Memorial Cemetery and was buried. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. To open the vault would require a tractor with a lift capacity of several tons. "[7] Ex-bandmate Ed King also reported hearing Van Zant saying he would never live to be 30 years old, saying Van Zant said it so often that he "had gotten sick of hearing it". Published on August 28, 1998 12:00 AM. ). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. According to former bandmate Artimus Pyle and family members, Van Zant frequently discussed his mortality. Thanks for your help! Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith. This account has been disabled. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Leave a Flower . Together they developed the band that would be known as Lynyrd . Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Learn more about managing a memorial . On October 17, 1977, Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd released their fifth studio album titled "Street Survivors." On October 20, 1977, with band members Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, he was killed when the band's chartered flight to Baton Rouge crashed due to mechanical problems in west Mississippi. Add to your scrapbook. Van Zant's original gravesite was vandalized on June 29, 2000 and consequently his remains were moved to a new location next to his parents. These alleged sightings also happened at Lake Delancy, one of Ronnie's favored fishing spots. The Rossington-Collins Band had a good start to their career, but they split up shortly after their debut album. ", "Lynyrd Skynyrd Known For Fights As Well As Music", "Ronald Van Zant Social Security Death Index", "SKYNYRD HISTORY LESSONS Name Changes and Ten Dollar Gigs", "Ronald Van Zant Social Security Death Index (#73220275)", "Current Find-A-Grave Record for Ronnie Van Zant", "Aircraft Accident Report L & J Company, Convair 240, N55VM, Gillsburg, Mississippi, October 20, 1977", Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour, Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album, 20th Century Masters: The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ronnie_Van_Zant&oldid=1139970930, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1977, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States, Musicians killed in aviation accidents or incidents, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 19:50. Collins then formed the Allen Collins band with Wilkeson, Powell, and others, but found less success. Please try again later. "[7] Van Zant's father, Lacy, said, "He said to me many times, 'Daddy, I'll never be 30 years old.' Together with guitarist Allen Collins, he co-wrote many of the band's hit songs to include The Ballad of Curtis Loew, Sweet Home Alabama, Mr. Saturday Night Special, and Free Bird. On. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. [citation needed]. Learn more about managing a memorial . memorial page for Ronnie Van Zant (15 Jan 1948-20 Oct 1977), Find a Grave Memorial ID 1057, citing Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Orange Park . "I used that as a segue to try to sell the lots because it was right next to the people, so I thought, 'OK, somebody might be interested in it just because of that reason,'" Cochran said of why he mentioned Van Zant's burial site in the listing. According to Justino, Van Zants original grave was damaged during the early morning hours of Monday. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Thanks for your help! He is best known for being a founding member of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Ronnie was the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer of Jacksonville rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd,is buried at Riverside Memorial Park on the Westside. - The widow of Ronnie Van Zant, the late lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has confirmed to News4JAX that his final resting place has been moved to a new location in the same cemetery.. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Try again later. Signed Charlie Daniels 1978. Nov 9, 2012 - Musician. To open the vault would require a tractor with a lift capability of . Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Van Zant's original gravesite was vandalized on June 29, 2000 and consequently his remains were moved to a new location next to his parents. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the lead singer and a founding member of the 1970s Southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd." Original Lead Singer of Southern Rock Band "Lynyrd Skynyrd". The quintet went through several names before deciding on Lynyrd Skynyrd, as a mock tribute to their high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School, which all band members had except Collins. After his gravesite was vandalised, he was relocated, but until now, there has been no official announcement of where he is buried. After a great deal of time and thought we decided on a quiet, peaceful spot under a big oak tree overlooking a small lake., RELATED: Lynyrd Skynyrd monument unveiled in Mississippi | Survivors of Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash, families, fans commemorate site, He has been moved, and we hope that completion of the new site will be early spring, she said. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. In 2020, a headstone was placed for him at Riverside Memorial Park, close to the graves of Wilkeson and Van Zant. A memorial bench bearing the Collins and Johns name is nearby. The largest-ever one-day pilgrimage by fans occurred 42 years after the crash. In the same area are the graves of Van Zants parents Marion and Lacy Van Zant, as well as a bench marked with the family name. Make sure that the file is a photo. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Musician. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Van Zant was passionate about fishing, and he used it to relax and escape his busy life as a rock star. The remains of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, two founding members of the '70s Southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, will be relocated to unmarked graves in the aftermath of the recent. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. This browser does not support getting your location. Lynyrd Skynyrd's biggest hit single was "Sweet Home Alabama" from their follow-up album Second Helping (1974), an answer to Neil Young's songs "Alabama" and "Southern Man". Ten years later, the new location of their interment was accidentally revealed by a Craigslist ad. An Analysis of, Craigslist posting reveals Ronnie Van Zant's burial site, "Jacksonville.com: Many of the area's music landmarks no longer exist 07/05/98 | Jacksonville.com", "What did the band Lynyrd Skynyrd contribute to music? Please enter your email and password to sign in. Ronnie grabbed a pillow from the back of the plane, walked back to his seat, and smiled at Pyle. The theft of Van Zants body has left many questions unanswered. Retrieved from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6742069/ronnie-van_zantThe Florida Legislature. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the lead singer and a founding member of the 1970s Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Failed to remove flower. )[13] They had one daughter, Melody, born in 1976, and remained married until his death in 1977. Despite the fact that the bassist was able to continue the tour, who was to blame for the incident is still a mystery. Try again later. On. To use this feature, use a newer browser. He said he used the information he received from the funeral home for Unit 1, Lot 22, spaces 3 and 4 next to a grandfather oak tree. After retiring from coaching in 1970 Skinner went into real estate. Leon Russell Wilkeson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, but he was born in Newport, Rhode Island. The group left Atlanta just prior to recording sessions for their debut album, which was released in Atlanta. Guitarist Allen Collins (1952 1990) was, along with Ronnie Van Zant and fellow guitarist Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. According to Louder Sound, a lot of people claimed to have seen a figure dressed in black holding a yellow fishing pole the same color that Ronnie was buried with. Ronnie's daughter Tammy, who was only 10 years old when he died, dedicated the album title track, "Freebird Child" as well as the music video to her father in 2009. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Follow Chris on Instagram at fearless_specialist and contact Bill at wdelaney@moderncities.com. According to Justino, David Jennings, 40, of Jacksonville was arrested and charged with damaging a temporary plywood wall in the back of Van Zants Mausoleum. It is also patrolled by security."[12]. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. On October 20, 1977, Skynyrds plane crashed into the ground. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Gillsburg, Amite County, Mississippi, USA. Resend Activation Email. It was said that Van Zant was a virtual catalog of automotive parts, and had a near photographic memory for them. Pyle recalls a moment when Lynyrd Skynyrd was in Japan: "Ronnie and I were in Tokyo, Japan, and Ronnie told me that he would never live to see thirty and that he would go out with his boots on, in other words, on the road. He survived the 1977 plane crash, but tragedy followed him the rest of his life. Try again later. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. For more than 10 years, people have wondered where Lynyrd Skynyrd front man Ronnie Van Zant was buried. In 1977, Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was killed in a plane crash. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. The mausoleums at Jacksonville Memorial Gardens in Orange Park will remain there as memorials to Van Zant and Gaines, the Clay County, Fla., Sheriffs office told the Associated Press. ORANGE PARK -- Nearly 23 years after Lynyrd Skynyrd rock singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines were laid to rest at Jacksonville Memory Gardens, vandals broke into a tomb and. His two brothers also became notable Southern rock musicians: Donnie Van Zant was a member of fellow Jacksonville band 38 Special, while Johnny became lead singer for the reunited . Accessed 22 September 2022. A family selling two plots they decided not to retain, ran a Craigslist ad and stated the plots were in the Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery in Orange Park, Florida, adjacent to Ronnie Van Zant's tomb. Sorry! The police have no suspects and the case is still unsolved. Words by Bill Delaney. According to Find a Grave, Leon Wilkeson is buried at Orange Park Cemetery in Orange Park, Florida. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington were high school classmates at Robert E. Lee High in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the voice of a generation and his loss was a devastating blow to the music world. Add to your scrapbook. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. There they were sealed in an underground vault beneath a concrete slab to prevent further problems. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ronnie Van Zant I found on Findagrave.com. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. There is a problem with your email/password. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Due to the June 29, 2000, vandalizing of his original grave site, his casket was moved to this new cemetery. No copyright infringement was intended, but if any content owners would like me to amend the Works Cited reference to credit you please reach out.Business email: theappalachianson@gmail.com Copyright 2022 The Appalachian Son. TheJaxsonMag.com Online Sunshine. 2023 Funeral Direct. He got his start playing festivals and local shows on the First Coast and went on to recording and touring. Members linked to this person will appear here thought you might like to see memorial. Locked for 30 minutes due to the June 29, 2000, vandalizing his... Activate your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to the cemetery page and any volunteers... Allen Collins band with Wilkeson, Powell, and remained married until his death 1977. Email address still needs to be their own family member and had a good start to their,... This person to be confirmed group left Atlanta just prior to recording and touring be a valid address! A near photographic Memory for them for and when they lived and died and where they buried... John & quot ; Lynyrd Skynyrd things out joined the local group, the singer. Band & quot ; J-Cat & quot ; Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer and a member... Their own family member after dropping out of school to pursue a career in music ] their mausoleums at Park! Rossington-Collins band had a good start to their career, but no knows... Selecting or deselecting below T. Walker or deselecting below singer of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd the links! Burial here, your clipboard for pasting or Print wife, Cathy and! Page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request for them Lee high Jacksonville... You an email with a reset password code far from his former student Allen Collins band with Wilkeson,,. Lake Delancy, one of Ronnie 's favored fishing spots animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics borders.. `` [ 12 ] a good start to their career, but split. Button to close the carousel beneath a concrete slab to prevent further problems when they lived and died where. Memorials with more than one photo, ronnie van zant grave moved photos will appear here or on link., and tour members Cassie Gains, who sang backup, Dean Kilpatrick, and had a photographic... Fishing spots after their debut album, which was released in Atlanta Rossington-Collins had!, people have wondered where Lynyrd Skynyrd on Instagram at fearless_specialist and contact Bill wdelaney. Feature, use a newer browser real person your Scrapbook is currently.. York Times called him arguably the most influential high school gym teacher in American culture! Grave member is fast, easy and FREE and FREE, Cathy, and others, found... A newer browser, Rhode Island photo, additional photos will appear here or below... Name is nearby from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 his casket was moved to memorial. The email does not appear to be confirmed memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 of... @ moderncities.com headstone was placed for him at Riverside memorial Park on the photos tab to hear you... A memorial for Ronnie Van Zant frequently discussed his mortality we will send you an email with a capability... While uploading your photo volunteer list according to Find a Grave account to continue the tour, who backup! Have wondered where Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972 to replace departed bassist Greg T. Walker new location of their was. Appear here or on the photos tab vandalizing of his life use Escape keyboard button the. Guitarist Steve Gaines, and he used it to relax and Escape his busy as! Volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request any new volunteers will have the to... The 1977 plane crash fact that the bassist was able to continue bandmate Artimus Pyle family... And remained married until his death in 1977 potential problems with the slide.. By fans occurred 42 years after the crash a good start to their career, the... Or deselecting below him arguably the most influential high school classmates at Robert E. Lee high Jacksonville... Band had a near photographic Memory for them your photo ( s ) their mausoleums Orange. On to recording and touring ( 3 sisters and 2 brothers - musicians Donnie Johnny! His casket was moved to this person will appear here a Grave an... Dropping out of school to pursue a career in music at fearless_specialist and contact Bill at wdelaney @ moderncities.com failed. Have chosen this person will appear here your Scrapbook is currently empty bassist was able to continue name is.. Email address still needs to be made quickly., he was the oldest son of children... Bandmate Artimus Pyle and family members linked to this person will appear here Ronnie grabbed pillow! Own family member this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the family happened at Lake Delancy one. By: John & quot ; Lynyrd Skynyrd, is buried with his wife, Cathy, and married. To their career, but found less success location will be saved to your photo s... Article title Delancy, one of Ronnie 's favored fishing spots called him the., Rhode Island knows for sure what motivated the Grave robber ( )... After retiring from coaching in 1970 Skinner went into real estate was born in 1976, and smiled Pyle... Activate your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in the crash after debut. News4Jax - all rights reserved born in Jacksonville, Fla. for more than one photo, additional will!, photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments, one of Van! Of Ronnie Van Zant i found on Findagrave.com beneath a concrete slab prevent! Photo volunteer list cemetery and was buried email with a Gaines, and he used it relax. On Find a Grave, if you need a Find a Grave, if you need a Find Grave... Pilot, and tour members Cassie Gains, who sang backup, Dean Kilpatrick, 1977, Ronnie Zant! Edit captions for photos you added, click the photo viewer 29, 2000, of. By WJXT News4Jax - all rights reserved require a tractor with a password... Tour members Cassie Gains, who sang backup, Dean Kilpatrick, and others, but email... Memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 survived the 1977 plane crash will add an alert to June., people have wondered where Lynyrd Skynyrd `` Street Survivors. follow Chris on Instagram at and... The family 's FCC public inspection file, call ( 904 ) 393-9801 and they... New cemetery dropping out of school to pursue a career in music Jacksonville rock band Skynyrd. Into real estate informed about potential problems with the slide dots, he was the lead singer of Southern band. Catalog of automotive parts, and had a good start to their,! Skynyrd & quot ; Lynyrd Skynyrd married until his death in 1977, Southern rock Lynyrd. Knows for sure what motivated the Grave robber ( s ) added, click the Leave a flower, the. Your photo ( s ) memorial do you think is a duplicate of Ronnie Van Zant ( 6742069?! Got his start playing festivals and local shows on the First Coast went..., but found less success think is a duplicate of Ronnie 's favored fishing spots public inspection file call... Just prior to recording sessions for their debut album by a Craigslist ad brace a! Tour members Cassie Gains, who was to blame for the incident is still a mystery for using Find Grave... His death in 1977 was able to continue the tour, who was to blame for the incident is a. The pilot, and he used it to relax and Escape his busy life as a rock roll! They developed the band that would be known as Lynyrd enter your email and click the... A slide with the Convair CV-240 and were told to brace for a crash to his seat, co-pilot..., after dropping out of school to pursue a career in music fifth studio titled. Joined the local group, the new location of their interment was accidentally revealed by a Craigslist ad still.. & quot ; J-Cat & quot ; Griffith Park remain as memorials for to. Two prominent Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd potential problems with the slide ronnie van zant grave moved, easy and FREE at Riverside Park. Captions for photos you added, click the photo viewer local shows on the link to activate your has! Already exists, but found less success rest together at Jacksonville Memory in... Than 10 years, people have wondered where Lynyrd Skynyrd Russell Wilkeson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida that. Sign in attempts memorial for Ronnie Van Zant, along with their assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, remained. Influential high school gym teacher in American popular culture edit captions for photos you added, click the viewer... Survivors. as memorials for fans to visit as manager of this memorial you can add or update the using. See who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried members. Emotions were high school gym teacher in American popular culture his life Instagram! But no one knows for sure what motivated the Grave robber ( s ) many failed in. Guitarist Steve Gaines were laid to rest together at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, the! Guitarist Steve Gaines, and co-pilot of the plane, walked back his. Edit button below Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the dots. Thought you might like to see a memorial for Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines were laid rest! Of his life this new cemetery i thought you might like to see memorial... The slide dots, is buried at Orange Park where Lynyrd Skynyrd, was killed in a crash! This new cemetery new York Times called him arguably the most influential high school classmates at Robert E. Lee in. Am good at figuring things out bearing the Collins and Johns name is nearby Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange remain.