Sad news

I'm not over the passing of Big John yet. And probably never will be. He helped me so much when I first came over to this site. Over the years,I've read many threads he posted to and learned so very much from his experience with computing and just as much from his gentle ways of helping people. His pm's to me offering the mod position and helping me to step in were very inspiring and helpful.
As far as I'm concerned BJ,you will always be here looking over my and everyone elses shoulders and guiding us. Rest In Peace My Friend.

:(

Rest in peace BJ.

You know, I see alot of people in this thread that I really miss seeing around all the time. Stever R Jones, Murf, Max, Bistro, Sarni, Kat, Smurfy, and many many more. It is really sad that we won't see BJ posting here any longer.

Sidewinder, I've been gone for quite some time. So I don't have a clue who you are, But you have my best wishes and if you need anything at all. Please feel free to get ahold of me.

justin at glasgow-ky.com

(email addy edited for antispambot purposes)

My condolences go out to the family , friends , and members here that new BJ ..Will say a prayer for him .

Goodbye Big John, you'll be missed by us all.

Very sad......

Its always very hard when someone passes away especially one that was known and loved by all of you :)

Your site looks wonderfull and i plan on taking a look around some :)

God bless you all!!


Dude111 :(

This is such sad news. Condolences to everyone who will feel the loss of Big John, especially his family.

I can't believe that I am reading this. This comes as a complete shock. I owe so much to VDr and BJ was such a big part of that. For me, VDr and BJ were synonymous.
He always managed to be completely fair and ran these forums as well as any on the net.
VDr will not be the same without him. He will always be remembered by me and most as the true face of VDr. The many members and past regulars who have posted here are a true testament of the kind of person BJ was.
My utmost sympathies go out to SW and all of his family.

You will never be forgotten BJ. RIP my Friend.

I agree. I can't imagine this forum without him. I mean obviously I have to try but it sure doesn't seem possible as of now.

Reading this is so hard. As others have said, BJ was, in my mind, the heart and soul of VDR. We have been in touch since 1999, when I had another user name, and have not had the contacts I now wish we could have had. We all will miss you, BJ, and God bless you and all your family.It sure won't be the same around here now without you. If there was one person I wish I had met in person and had been able to be around, he would have been the one.

ps: If anyone has a picture of BJ, it would be nice to see him, as, though we all feel we know him, I am sure not many of us have actually seen him.

Its wonderfull reading this thread!!!

It really shows how many people really cared for him and what he offered

God bless you SW and all of BJ's family!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jgande

ps: If anyone has a picture of BJ, it would be nice to see him, as, though we all feel we know him, I am sure not many of us have actually seen him.

---

http://spywaredrguide.com/VirtualDr/...John_10633.jpg

My deepest condolences to Big John's family & to his virtual family & all his friends. He will be missed so very much.
We will keep you all in our prayers
God Bless all
gypsiwoman4366

I was so shocked to read this and still find it hard to believe :( . BJ helped me out so many times as he did for so many others. I along with the rest shall miss him greatly. Condolences and prayers to his family and friends. BJ gave so much to so many ...may he rest in peace and in the arms of the angels.

Hey Dodge - Sidewinder is BJ's brother.

My sincere condolences to his family & many friends.

Would it do any of us any good to pretend that this was our last day in this stage of our existence?

I think I will start telling people I love (starting right now) that -- I am Grateful you are a part of my dash.
Looking back on my life, the things I regret the most are not the things I did, but the things I neglected to do.

After all, all any of us are is: "Dust in the wind".

Thanks for the news to this community, however sad it is. :(
Please post his obit if someone spots it.
They normally tell us things about people that we had no clue about.

Steve_83

John's last song at sing shot
http://www.singshot.com/playPerforma...=255379&play=Y and a tribute from all his friends over there.

Wow....he touched a lot of people over there too.....:(

I am sorry to hear about Big John, he was a real pillar of this community, and he will be greatly missed.

My condolences to John's family and friends, both on and off forums.

Hi, BJ we are all the poorer for your passing, may you rest in peace. You always had my respect.

I too am deeply saddened by this news. My condolances to you Sidewinder and the rest of BJ's family.

I have just read all of the posts honoring a man who stands out in our lives as evidenced by the words written by those before me. Peace be to your family and friends and now to you BJ. I think you will rest in peace because I strongly suspect you were and are PEACE. Sleep well my friend.

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on his tombstone

From the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years. (19??-2007)

For that dash represents all the time

That he spent alive on earth...

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

The cars...the house...the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile..

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read

With your life's actions to rehash...

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

Very nice my friend :)

Crap.

I've been on holiday for a week and a half with no PC access until back at work today.

I've finally got a spare moment to log in at VDr to see what's going on and I came across this thread.

I saw the title and wondered what had happened and at first I thought I had mis read it.

BJ pulled me into line a few times in my early months here but we worked things out and I held great respect for him.

He will be missed by many.

I'd have to second that Nix ... and the same for all others posting in this thread, ditto. Such a sad thing it is... my condolences to Sidewinder and BJ's family and all who knew him.

It is a tender thing we hold, this life, I only hope for a portion of BJ's success at it...!

Thanks for your comments Dude. Steve_83 actually reminded me of this in his post when he mentioned "dash".
I have had this this short writing saved for several years and will stop to read it from time to time when it crosses my path in My Documents folder.

I received this today from TJolly, used to post here quite often:

Just received an email linking to the sudden death of Big John. Very sad news. I had a lot of respect for him. Pity I can't personally pass on my condolences on Vdr.

I am very sorry to hear of his tragic death,my sympathy goes out to all the family,
and those near and dear to him. TMI.

It was quite a shock to hear that someone who has been so much a presence here is gone.

He helped many people, simply out of the goodness of his heart.

It is a sad event but BigJohn has left behind an enviable legacy. He touched many people and he will be widely missed.

Thanks to photolady, as her sig informed me of Big John's passing.
LIke so many others, I can't really imagine VDr w/o BJ.
However, it helps knowing Big John is in a better place along with Scottlr, and bringing him up to speed on VDr developments over the past few years.
RIP, Big John, and my best to your family.

I just learned about Big John, I wish I had known sooner. The news sent a chill up my spine. To me Big John was like a landmark. A point of reference to keep perspective. He was a big part of why even though I spend my time elsewhere, I think of VDR as home. That is why VDR has always been my home page and continues to be to this day.

I offer my heartfelt, albeit belated, condolences to John's family. I will always remember John.

Its been a long time since I posted here. While I didn't know John personally, I feel as if I do through those of you who did. I remember his posts when I was here and his helpfullness. Its obvious that he lives on through the friends and family that loved him. RIP John, I only wish I had known you.

OOOXXX
~ES

(typing through tears)
Thought I'd drop in, it's been a few months, this is the first thread I opened... Struggling and can't find sufficient words to express how hard this news hits. BJ was the best, a cornerstone of this board. Like so many others, fond memories of him over the years will forever be an indelible part of my experience here at VDr. I teasingly called him 'The eye in the sky', and it's so hard to accept that we'll not see the green light on next to that watchful eye of his anymore. He will always stand out as the kindest of souls with a heart of gold, without a doubt a rare breed. No one can fill the big guy's shoes. The good Lord shared him long enough to show us all by example how bright one's light can truly shine. My deepest sympathies to Sidewinder and all of BJ's family and loved ones. It's been a privilege and an honor to know him and call him friend.

~Kat

I agree, Kat, that's why I'm not even going to attempt to replace him. Can't be done.

There is a better selection of people up there.

http://jasonpage.zenfolio.com/img/p638438373-3.jpg
"Rock Reaching Sky" 2005

I've been more involved in photography over the years and that's why I haven't been on this forum much.

Plus I got a Mac so I don't have many computer issues anymore, and my PC know how is a bit dated.

Farewell whether it is in heaven, eternal darkness or a reincarnation into something else.

Its only by chance (Photolady's sig) that I have just got news of this very very sad news, I am totally shocked.

I'd like to echo the sentiments of all the previous posters and would like to add that to find another fair and true gentleman of the calibre of BJ, will be a very lucky find indeed.

BJ, you gave me a 2nd chance on this forum and along with the help and knowledge I have gained I will always be grateful to you for that.

RIP