Houston is, to many people, the home of the Art Car. And it is all the more shattering when a city that has such love for a movement loses one of the people who gave that movement so much. This is the feeling that still exists among many in the Houston Art Car community in the aftermath of the death of Jeff Towns, one of the most popular and prominent members of the movement in Houston. His suicide on July 14th after a long battle with depression has left many people still stunned. The Houston Art Car Klub, of which Jeff was one of the key members, held events to commemorate his life.

On August 8th, a day after what would have been Jeff’s 43rd birthday, a memorial burn was held by the HACK, where items of significance were burned to create ashes which were then scattered in his honor. The event was preceded by an Art Car Caravan which left from the Art Car Museum and was co-ordinated by Nicole Strine, the President of HACK. Various photo streams have been uploaded on Flickr along with a solemn tribute on YouTube. His loss will continue to be felt, but the happy memories he provided to friends and fellow art car aficionados will live on. Rest in Peace.