RRC Archives

Man, what a turn out tonight. I would bet that over 80 percent of the FA's in the red over the last 25 years were represented, along with just ordinary climbers like myself. What a tribute to a man that has given so much of himself for others in the climbing community, and who was one of the few people that I have known that was truly alive until they passed on.

Peace and Positive vibes for sure.
Wes

There awaits for me a glad tomorrow
Where the gates of pearl swing open wide
And when I have passed this spell of sorrow
I will camp upon the other side

Someday beyond the reach of mortal kin
Someday God only knows just where or when
The wills of mortal life will all stand still
And I shall go dwell on Zion's Hill

Someday the storm clouds will be lifted
Beyond the shadow of the tomb
And with all the bells of Heaven ringing
And the angels singing "Home Sweet Home"

Zion's Hill by The Stanly Brothers

you know, i was never best friends with john, nor did i ever climb with him regularly. in fact i only met him at the crag once where he offered wes $30 to not feed me any rope on a scary clip, which would've made me fall...that's the same thing i would have done to him. even to a semi-aquaintance such as myself, i can feel a big loss in the climbing community at the red.

matt massey

Between putting up so many routes, authoring the extensive guidebook and his work with the coalition, if it wasn't for John, a lot of us probably wouldn't climb at the Red and those who did wouldn't have nearly as much fun.

Like Matt, I didn't talk with him very many times, and I never really got to climb with him, but I owe him a lot.

While we celebrate and honor John's life, let us not forget that this is a most difficult time for his family and closest friends. It is hard to imagine what they are going through. May they receive strength and comfort from the support of those around them.

Everyone here has already expressed everything that comes to mind. I can think of no better way of honoring him than to emulate those characteristics that we so admired in him.

Ryan, Tina, my heart goes out to you and your family. I'm sorry That I can't be in the area to stop by and comfort you in person. I will keep you in my mind and heart .

Another great turn out to honor 'the geeze' last night at the memorial service at Torrent Falls. Thanks to ALL who donated time, food, energy, and showed up to honor this great guy. So many people with so many good things to say, it was a really great thing in such a moment of sadness. Odd how the storm moved in as the 'formal' part of the service wound down.

It never ceases to amaze me how death can pull people together. That really happened this week to everyone's community of which John was a member. We should be so lucky that he was not only a part of this on-line community, but the climbing community at the Red as a whole.

When I heard of the news last week, I thought it's really sad, Johnny's still young. But hearing all the stories from all these people he shared his life with made all the sadness go away. Johnny experienced his life to the fullest. I don't think I know another person who has done so much and gone through so much in just 44 years of existence. He is definitely more of a big inspiration now.

The memorial was very nice. I think it touched everyone in attendance. I have always felt close to my friends and the climbing community, but the memorial made me realize just how much everyone means to me. It also showed me how we never know when our time will end. We have to embrace each day and each experience like it’s our last, and live life to the fullest, just as John did.