The creator of the viral "Double Rainbow" video, Paul L. "Bear" Vasquez, has passed away. He was 57 years old.
As the Modesto Bee reports, Vasquez died on Saturday (May 9). In a heartbreaking Facebook post from last week, Vasquez wrote about ongoing health issues and noted he was running a fever and was experiencing respiratory issues — two common symptoms of COVID-19. He also announced that he planned to get tested for the virus.
Read an excerpt from the post below:
I thought I might be having a heart attack today but I've vowed never again to go to an ER or hospital so I just rode it out. It took me several minutes to catch my breath after walking 50 feet, I went to the farm feeling weak, did what I needed to do came home and took a nap. My lungs are feeling congested, I'm suspecting pollen, after my nap I tested my oxygen level, it's under 80, I have a fever of 100.2 I'm having a little trouble breathing if I walk in my apartment but it's not to bad if I'm not moving. I signed up to make an appointment to get a COVID-19 test here in Mariposa on Tuesday. Whatever happens I'm ready for it, I'm happy to experience it all, it might only be pollen and I'll have more time in my apartment, if it's the virus and it's my time to recycle I look forward to coming back to a new body and starting over, whatever happens I'm enjoying the ride.
He never offered an update on his health, so his cause of death remains unclear. Since his passing, dozens of fans have flocked to his personal Facebook profile, offering messages of appreciation for his happy demeanour and positive outlook.
Vasquez lived a self-described "interesting life." Aside from his viral video fame, over the span of his life, Vasquez worked as a firefighter, security officer, emergency medical technician, utility man, truck driver and briefly as a professional cage fighter.
He is survived by his two children.
Watch his 2010 viral video below, where you can also watch a short CNN documentary about the man himself.
As the Modesto Bee reports, Vasquez died on Saturday (May 9). In a heartbreaking Facebook post from last week, Vasquez wrote about ongoing health issues and noted he was running a fever and was experiencing respiratory issues — two common symptoms of COVID-19. He also announced that he planned to get tested for the virus.
Read an excerpt from the post below:
I thought I might be having a heart attack today but I've vowed never again to go to an ER or hospital so I just rode it out. It took me several minutes to catch my breath after walking 50 feet, I went to the farm feeling weak, did what I needed to do came home and took a nap. My lungs are feeling congested, I'm suspecting pollen, after my nap I tested my oxygen level, it's under 80, I have a fever of 100.2 I'm having a little trouble breathing if I walk in my apartment but it's not to bad if I'm not moving. I signed up to make an appointment to get a COVID-19 test here in Mariposa on Tuesday. Whatever happens I'm ready for it, I'm happy to experience it all, it might only be pollen and I'll have more time in my apartment, if it's the virus and it's my time to recycle I look forward to coming back to a new body and starting over, whatever happens I'm enjoying the ride.
He never offered an update on his health, so his cause of death remains unclear. Since his passing, dozens of fans have flocked to his personal Facebook profile, offering messages of appreciation for his happy demeanour and positive outlook.
Vasquez lived a self-described "interesting life." Aside from his viral video fame, over the span of his life, Vasquez worked as a firefighter, security officer, emergency medical technician, utility man, truck driver and briefly as a professional cage fighter.
He is survived by his two children.
Watch his 2010 viral video below, where you can also watch a short CNN documentary about the man himself.