John had some back issues in May but he thought it was from lifting at the gym. In July he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Given six months to live. Yesterday he passed. I visited him three times after diagnosis as he only lived 10 minutes away. Offered to do whatever. After my last visit two and a half months ago he would not allow anyone to visit. Said he didn’t want anyone to remember him going down hill.
John lived here in NC 25 years. Moved from Mass. Brought one hand gun and one shotgun. Came as a liberal, left the most crazed Republican conservative I have met. Left this world with a dozen pistols, two AR15s, SOCOM, Beretta 9mm carbine, multiple shotguns, and other rifles. Made every gun show in Hickory. His face was full of joy fondling items at shows.
I will never forget when we went to see our Down syndrome buddy at Winston-Salem Baptist hospital. John had two concealed pistols at the guard station. I asked when he made it thru why he didn’t leave them in the car. He stated I will carry wherever I want. I was a little tense going thru the check station.
John was my son’s youth football coach and dang good one. Blew out opponents with half the talent. My son loved him as much as me. He spent a lot of time at his house with him and his son. John would have a dozen kids at his house on weekends. Spent tens of thousands of dollars feeding kids three meals a day for years. Never asked for anything.
John’s wife up and left him one day about three years ago. Never gave him a reason. He never dated again. She lived 5 minutes from him and was a nurse. Never offered any help during his illness. Was married over 25 years. She called once after learning of his illness to say she was sorry to hear about him. John told her he had forgave her and he has no bitter feelings anymore.
He was like a brother to me. Devoted husband and father of two. Lived a clean life. Gave tons of money to kids who had sorry parents. Never asked for anything in return. The world was a better place with John. Heaven will be too.
John lived here in NC 25 years. Moved from Mass. Brought one hand gun and one shotgun. Came as a liberal, left the most crazed Republican conservative I have met. Left this world with a dozen pistols, two AR15s, SOCOM, Beretta 9mm carbine, multiple shotguns, and other rifles. Made every gun show in Hickory. His face was full of joy fondling items at shows.
I will never forget when we went to see our Down syndrome buddy at Winston-Salem Baptist hospital. John had two concealed pistols at the guard station. I asked when he made it thru why he didn’t leave them in the car. He stated I will carry wherever I want. I was a little tense going thru the check station.
John was my son’s youth football coach and dang good one. Blew out opponents with half the talent. My son loved him as much as me. He spent a lot of time at his house with him and his son. John would have a dozen kids at his house on weekends. Spent tens of thousands of dollars feeding kids three meals a day for years. Never asked for anything.
John’s wife up and left him one day about three years ago. Never gave him a reason. He never dated again. She lived 5 minutes from him and was a nurse. Never offered any help during his illness. Was married over 25 years. She called once after learning of his illness to say she was sorry to hear about him. John told her he had forgave her and he has no bitter feelings anymore.
He was like a brother to me. Devoted husband and father of two. Lived a clean life. Gave tons of money to kids who had sorry parents. Never asked for anything in return. The world was a better place with John. Heaven will be too.
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