Dear fans, colleagues, and friends, this is Jayce, Jeff’s youngest. Many of you already know the heartbreaking news I’m here to share: we lost my dad to the transplant. Despite our and the doctor’s confidence, there were multiple unforeseen complications. For a little over 6 months after the operation, my dad lived in varying states of consciousness. He was in a coma immediately after the transplant, but began to come out of it and had increasing recovery for several months before additional setbacks led to him declining again and eventually passing on February 6th. During those months he had periods of awareness where he could enjoy time with his family. Though we hoped for a true miracle recovery, we are incredibly grateful for the time in his company and the ability to say a loving goodbye. He passed surrounded by love, with family and friends singing hymns at his side.
We know that one of his biggest regrets would have been not finishing the Chaos Chronicles, which he poured so much heart and soul into over the years. Although it isn’t a project we will be taking up immediately, his family hope that we will someday finish that last book with (fingers crossed) his guidance from beyond. We certainly intend to try.
To those who were in the know during my dad’s last travails and offered various forms of support, thank you so much. We were so helped and supported in this process it genuinely fills me with awe. I can only hope to make half so many amazing friends one day as stepped up for my father in his last months. And to everyone, thank you for appreciating my dad and his work. May he fly forever through the stars, and through the minds of those who read his stories.
Nicole Valentine
My deepest sympathies, your father was an absolute light in the industry and so kind to me as a newcomer. I miss him.
Lis Carey
Jeff’s death was a great loss to many people, and I feel deeply for what that loss must be to you, who knew him best.
Robert Laird
So sorry to hear if his passing. He was one of my favourite authors; the Chaos Chronicles were amazing, so different from other sf stories, I do hope the family take up the challenge to finish them. The Star Rigger stories were also brilliant. I saw in his blog that his family were very supportive and he will be missed.
Steve Krall
Oh no. Your father truly inspired me. I wrote him many years ago about how to write the fictional side of science fiction. He told me “just act like it’s normal, don’t try to over explain it”. AMAZING advice…as compared to say Mr. Card who told us “just write”.
Mr. Carver and I did not agree on modern things…but I treasured his beautiful writing….and have his books on my shelf. I have tears in my eyes trying to write this.
He lives on in us.
Huggybear11
I’m so sorry for his passing. I truly loved his stories…God bless him.