Kent Steward

John and I were part of a group that ran around together in junior high, but I mostly lost track of him in high school. In spite of all those intervening years, his death hit hard. I still recall his energy and good spirits and warmth toward everyone. I thought about him a few times and wished our friendship had carried on to high school. Now it also dawns on me how much I missed by not knowing him over all those years since high school. John was special. He had a rare ability to really connect with people.

Valorie Jean Beaird (Kozicki)

I was fortunate to have John in my life for the last 40+ years.  Although our marraige didn't work out we remained friends throughout the years.  The phone would ring and it would be John with a good joke to tell.  Because of his love of boats, he left Wichita for Florida in the 80's.  Once there he received his captains licence and pursued a career as a charter captain of fishing boats and large corporate yachts.  He met his wife Kathy there as well.  John  never met a stranger and had a multitude of friends who will surely miss him but not as much as I will.

James Alan 'JIM' Hess

Johnny and I were the best of friends at Woodland School.  We rode bikes everywhere, swam in the Little Arkansas River (don't tell our moms), were on the same baseball team, played basketball in my driveway, ping pong in the basement, probably smoked our first cigerette together, and we had a buried treasure in Oak Park.  When some older kids (we had never seen them before) heard about our buried treasure, they forced us to take them to it.  When we dug it up, they discovered it only consisted of old German and Japanese coins that his brother or uncle had given him - so they roughed us up again and left without the coins.  Johnny and I laughed our heads off after they left.  Then we found some reinforcements and went looking for them, but never saw them.  John and I drifted apart after highschool, but we did re-unite shortly after he got back from Viet Nam.

Thanks Val for sharing, I didn't realize he became a captain of a fishing boat.  I wish I would have made it down there.  Goodbye John.

J Sharon Powell (Quincy)

From Danny Massey:  I am so sad to hear about John, we became close friends our senior year and had some great times. How many of you remember his 1954 green Ford? I went with him to get the windows tinted that dark dark green and this procedure was new at the time and they lifted his car almost streight up and down to get the tint to flow properly John looked at me and said "man do you think thats going to be ok" I said I have never seen anything like this before, and I still haven't, but it worked. the only problem was the tint was so dark that at night you had to roll the side window down to see, thank god they didn't tint the windshield. John and I shared so many memories he had the greatest smile and laugh I can remember saying something to John so many times and he would respond with that big smile, I hate to lose you buddy but I won't forget you.

J Sharon Powell (Quincy)

From Janice Bolen Amble:  

John, so sorry you had to leave so soon..You were a fun and sweet guy and you will be missed by so many. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. Janice Bolen Amble

John E. Scott

I best rember John as John& Valerie always togther walking the halls , adoringly holding hands. The best prank I ever did,. was when I was on the sheriff department, there was a curfew at 10pm. because of the riots in Wichita. Johnny was driving way after the cerfew time. I turned on my lights, pulled him over,I saw Valerie was with Johnny. Johnny was thinking he was done for ,sure jail time. I then banged on the door and   shouted ""Johnny what you doing". Johnny and Val both JUMPED, saw who I was and Johnny started  cussing at me out like a mad sailor. We both had a good laugh and went on our ways. John Fleming was a great person.

Tim Greenshields

What a great fellow John was.  I remember when my baseball team played against his.  Good memories from a time when things were gentler.  Keeping John's family in my prayers.

Tim Greenshields

Revelyn Kay Satterlee (Alpaugh)

I'm not sure how I missed this post, but I just wanted to comment. John was such a fun guy at Woodland, Marshall & North. It was just great to be with him in a class, because you always know he would be joking about something. I know he will always be missed by his family and those who knew him, he was a fun, great guy.

Ted Wright

I remember John, I believe we had some classes together.  However when I heard that John had served in Vietnam then I realized I had lost a brother.  We had a tie that unless you were there you couldn't understand. We were all exposed to agent orange and many are now suffering the consequences.

 John, thank you for the love of your country and fellowmen, your service, and WELCOME HOME.

Alfred "Greg" M Campbell

I remember rooming with John in El Dorado while attending BCCC. We had a mostly good time. There was a time when we were having a very verbal discussion, in each others face about something and his dentures came flying out. That stopped the argument very quickly and we were laughing so much the argument was forgotten. I also remember going out to Cheney Lake after class or in the summer with his English Bulldog Amos. John would set Amos on the engine cover and he would ride on top of it like a hood ornement. Wish I could have seen John again. Rest in peace old friend. Al, (Greg) Campbell