Art Morimitsu has passed away

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jtanzman

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 15, 2012 - 03:46pm PT
I'm saddened to say that Art Morimitsu, long-time SoCal climber, known here as "trapeze artemis," passed away yesterday following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Mar 15, 2012 - 04:25pm PT
Very sad news. I did not know Art really well, but I would run into him climbing all over the place. It was always a real treat to see him. He was a good climber who was modest, cheerful and supportive.

Here's a shot I took of Art gracefully floating a route at Rock Creek, July 29, 2006.



Please accept my best wishes to family and friends at this difficult time.
Todd Gordon

Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
Mar 15, 2012 - 04:44pm PT
Sad news indeed...
fsck

climber
Mar 15, 2012 - 04:45pm PT
this is so sad. i had no idea art was sick.

i climbed black orpheus (redrocks) with art as well as a bunch of cragging at jtree w/ him. fun partner, lots of jokes and sh#t-talk.

see you on the flipflop, artemis.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Beautiful Altadena
Mar 15, 2012 - 04:52pm PT
Oh man! I haven't run into Art for years, but climbed a bit with him back about 10 years ago. Seemed like he was always in good spirits, was fun to be around, and had a healthy irreverence about him.

He will be missed. Carry on in his spirit.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

Eric
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
Mar 15, 2012 - 04:55pm PT
Sad to hear it, also had no idea he was ill. Was just wondering recently why I hadn't run into him in a couple of years.

Fair winds Art.
jtanzman

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 15, 2012 - 04:57pm PT
Stich, I didn't know Art's exact age, but it was a lot closer to 50 than 30, believe it or not. He just always looked 20 years younger than his real age.
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
Mar 15, 2012 - 06:25pm PT
I am so sorry to hear this.

Art was one of my first J-Tree partners back when I started climbing in '02. Art and Tim Bui. Both great guys and wonderful mentors. Have a lot of fond memories of climbing with them and learning from them. Lost touch with him as the years passed. Had no idea he was sick.

RIP Art.
klk

Trad climber
cali
Mar 15, 2012 - 09:05pm PT
wow, very sorry to hear
Martha Mackey-North

Social climber
Brighton, colorado
Mar 15, 2012 - 09:36pm PT
Hello all, I went to school with Art. I am very sad to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful human being. He will be missed as much as he was loved... Alot! To his family... Thank you for having and sharing him with the rest of us! RIP Art!!!
Bob D'A

Trad climber
Taos, NM
Mar 15, 2012 - 10:15pm PT
Met Art a few times...what a gentle man and wonderful spirit.
Melissa

Gym climber
berkeley, ca
Mar 15, 2012 - 10:34pm PT
When I met Art on one of my first trips to J. Tree he was living it up like a rock star. I never knew him well, but I used to run into him a surprisingly often considering how far apart we lived from each other. He was always stoked and friendly, and seeing him always brightened my day. I was so sad to read this this morning.

To his close friends and family, I'm so sorry.

Thanks for posting it here, Jay.
rlf

Trad climber
Josh, CA
Mar 15, 2012 - 10:55pm PT
Very sad. Art was a great guy.
brat

climber
El Portal
Mar 15, 2012 - 10:56pm PT
My Supertopo handle was given to me by Art. I heard this news today as I headed out of Indian Creek. Art taught me to place gear and lead back in 2003, and I cherish and frequently use those skills. He gave me the black Metolius cam I fell on yesterday.

Art and I went through a lot together. I wish I had stayed in better touch. I wish he had told me he was sick.

Art, you are such a huge part of climbing to me.

Meg
Curt

Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
Mar 15, 2012 - 11:04pm PT
Art may have been small in stature, but not in heart or in spirit. I had great times climbing with Art, swilling tequila with him and starting fights with him vs. a certain JT motel owner (who shall remain nameless) and subsequently the San Bernadino County Sheriff's office which was summoned as reinforcement. Not surprisingly, we lost that one. I will miss him.

Curt
RiceCream

Ice climber
Southern California
Mar 16, 2012 - 01:08am PT
Like others, it's been a few years since I've spoken to Art and I had no idea he was ill. Art was awesome. He'd tell it like it is, and held nothing back. If someone were being a jackass, he'd call them out to their face, much to the delight of the folks who were being negatively affected by the person's behavior as Art became their voice, the voice of truth. I learned a bit from Art when I was getting more into technical climbing; being new, I needed to be surrounded by people I could trust from a safety perspective, and he was one of those people. He was far from perfect, like all of us. Yet, there was a camaraderie and bond that comes from people you trust. Life here is short; thanks for the memories. RIP Art.
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Mar 16, 2012 - 01:26am PT

Oh man...sad news.... )-: Condolences to his family and friends..




Brian

climber
California
Mar 16, 2012 - 01:42am PT
RIP Art
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Mar 16, 2012 - 02:49am PT
hey there say, all.... i don't know many climbers, but i surely know of the wonderful comaraderie between good buddies... and losing them, is terribly sad,:(

very sad to hear this hard news...
thank you for sharing about this wonderful friend...
my condolences to his family and loved ones at this hard sad time...
may god bless you with good memories and such, to help you through...

FRUMY

Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
Mar 16, 2012 - 12:06pm PT
Very sorry to hear this.
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