'He lived life. He squeezed every bit of it': Milwaukee's Harley-Davidson community pays tribute to local organizer

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A beautiful tribute to a man loved by so many. John Thomas "JT" Hasley, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast was honored by his family and friends following is passing.

JT passed away on September 5, 2024. He was 68 and originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma but made a big impact in the Milwaukee area.

"He was that friendly face that you could always relate to," said Valerie Letterman. Valerie met JT back in 1995 when they both started working for Harley Davidson. She says JT's love for motorcycles kept him connected to so many.

"JT reached out and was able to grab people and make friends with them," she said.

On the day JT was laid to rest, his loved ones sent him off in true Harley fashion. A big ride with dozens of motorcycles driven by his closest family and friends.

Mark Borkenhagen is another longtime friend of JT. He says they were close for more than 20 years. "We were more than friends. We were brothers," Mark said.

Mark says this ride is the perfect way to honor JT. "What else could we do on this day but to celebrate him? He's going to be riding with us. He's looking down here now," he said.

JT's friends say he would have loved this special tribute to him. Eddie Briggs came all the way to Wisconsin with a group from Oklahoma to honor JT. "It's a sad moment but at the same time it's just a celebration of his life," he said.