I was close with John and his wife Linda. John died approx. 150pm at his home on 9/21/21 due to the progression of Parkinson's. He was in hospice care. He had battled this disease I think for 23 years. He and Linda have known each other for 32 years. John was a musician playing with the band, Touch, after High School. He and the band leader, Rick Brown, have remained close. Rick was visiting and was with him when he passed. John was a sailor and sailed his boat from Puerto Rico to Palm Coast Florida by himself. He also participated in a sailing race around the world with a team and sailed the first half of the race to Africa. He said it was an intense experience and very hard. John also had a small plane pilot license and built small remote aircraft for people to fly in competitions. He was into motorcycles, cars and design. I remember his Austin Healy and Maverick. When he worked at NTW in Ravensworth he found 4 American Racing Mags for my Mustang and mounted my first radial Bridgestone tires. I still have the Mags on the car today and have the original receipt from him. When I visited several times, Linda, he and I had a great time. John was a fighter and the effects of Parkinsons took over only in the past few years. He operated with it for many years with the help of Linda, who is a registered and retired nurse, who was his advocate with using medications to help him be himself for a very long time. John asked to give his body to science to help others with Parkinsons, which I am humbled as a very noble and selfless act. He also asked for no services. He loved all his friends immensely and thought of them and was senstive to their troubles without thinking of his own situation. He was always brave and wanted people to know he was OK. When he became more immobile and Linda was in surgery, he would call and we would have a phone cocktail- he had Margaritas and I beer, and we would laugh over the memories and shenanigans during high school years. John was highly intelligent and could do just about anything he put his mind to. In the last few weeks as the disease rapidly progressed many contacted and it gave him a great boast. Linda would read texts and emails to him. He received the love, support and peace only good friends could provide, which I know meant vast amounts to him and Linda. Michael Gutherie and I had conversations with him about eternity, he made his relationship with the Lord and promised he would be waiting for us and have the party started! John you are now a whole person, God Bless you! Yes the party starts with a Toast this Saturday at 5pm.
I knew John primarily through sports at AHS. We were not what I would call close friends, but we had numerous personal encounters, all of which I have good memories. There are simply no negative memories of John. He was always nice to me. He had a quick wit and I enjoyed joking around with him from time to time.
5 years back I gave him a call when we were contacting classmates to see who might be coming to the 45th reunion. The very first thing he did was congradulate me for winning the Masters National Diving Championship in Orlando. He told me that I had better look him up next trip to Florida. That was quite nice.
We lost a good man. I hope that his wife and family take comfort in knowing he is resting in peace.
I will raise my glass and toast John Allen on Saturday.
I had the privilege of walking along side John over these last couple of years thanks to Judy Owen. I was grateful that the health challenge I went through in 2019 gave me a place to talk about dealing with adversity. Like Jim Burden mentioned above, John desired to lift me up vs dwell on his infirmity. He said I was a hero to him for what I had endured. I told him he was the hero because I was confident I would recover from Guillain Barre Syndrome whereas the Partkinsons' would not have the same outcome. I learned a great deal from him over the last couple of years. He battled this disease with dignity and went out of this life loving his friends dearly and with a peace and as Judy said, with a desire to bring life to the party in heaven that has already started with other old friends that have gone before him. I pray for his sister Susan and his dear wife Linda.
Wow, I am so sorry to hear this news. John and I go way back. One of my fondest memories with John was dancing on the fireplace hearth at some of Bill Legges famous parties in North Sprinfield . John loved to dance and have a good time. He was one of my "rat pack" guys! John, Jimmy, Jeff and Dave.. I had the pleasure of speaking with John a few years back. He called to welcome me to the "sunny state of Florida" and because he had heard that my mom had suffered with Parkinson's. We talked for quite a while and I was amazed with his resolve and attitude regarding his fate. He truly faced this horrible desease with grace and patience.
May you rest in peace, John. And I know you will be the first one at that heavenly party up dancing!!
John was my first apartment mate after the death of Doug Coughlan. My brother Dave, Doug and I had been in our apartment for only three weeks when Doug's life was taken way too early. John needed a place to stay so Dave and I agreed that he could move in. We all had a great time together but John didn't stay very long as he had a love interest elsewhere. Jeff Cooper moved in after John vacated the apartment. For the next 12 months Dave and I had 13 different apartment mates. Needless to say it was a bit of a revolving door for that third bedroom.
I spoke with John about a year ago and was surprised to learn what a talented man he was. I had no idea he was a boat Captain and owned his own plane. Sadly, at the time I spoke with him, he had sold his plane and boat and was no longer participating in either activity due to his health. He told me that he was fighting a horrific disease; Parkinsons. I was stunned and very saddened at that news.
From all the accounts above it sounds like John put up a very good fight but sadly his fight ended like all others afflicted with the disease. Perhaps the donation of his body will help science figure out how to treat and possibly cure this insidieous disease.
Rest in Peace John. You impacted many people in a very good way.
John and I were very close for about 10 years after college graduations. We were both working in those halcyon days for a local start-up tire company called NTW. From time to time, about 10 other AHS classmates worked there as well, including many from our class. We moved up the ladder together, the company grew nationally and John eventually became an NTW franchisee. We had so much fun, although it all ended when the company was sold to Sears and became NTB many years ago. It's had many other corporate owners since then.
We stayed in touch over the next 20 years and went to a few Boat Shows together. John loved sailing, music and cars so we had lots in common. We then lost touch until about 5 years ago when we began having the phone conversations many others have mentioned. I could tell his condition was deteriorating but he was remarkably strong, positive and always wanting to know how others were doing, not talking much about his own situation. And yes, we also had phone cocktails. He would often mention how lucky he was to have Linda to be with and care for him. In a recent text with her, I asked if there was anything I could do to help her. She responded "know anyone who wants to buy a 40 ft sailboat. Lol"
I'll be joining the toast for my old friend this Saturday at 5.
I first meet and got to know John while playing freshman football at Annandale High. Once you meet John it didn't take long for you to know him through his warm and welcoming demeanor. We would pass each other in the hallways occasionally as we all did. One such occasion John was with Jeff Cooper and we stopped to talk and John tried to talk me into going out for the varsity football team the following season. John and I were not what you would call close friends but anytime you talked to John he would make you feel like you were. I'm sure that anyone that ever meet John would feel the sameway. After hearing of Johns declining health I texted him through his wife, Linda. After fifty years, I wasn't sure he would remember me. Linda texted me back and said he did remember me. After reading these tributes to John, I am in awe over his accomplishments. However, putting all that aside I am more impressed with the man that John was. I'm sure, the way he greeted classmates to the sunshine state, he will be greeting his classmates to heaven. Rest in peace John
Today at 5:00 pm I raised my eyes heavenward, hoisted my diet Pepsi and joined others to pay tribute to our departed classmate, John Allen -
Words From My Heart - Today we gathered as a class once more to remember those we held dear, those we lost and the bond we forged. Love one another, give to others and share your passion of life. Take comfort in knowing that you are loved. They say that time heals all, so hang in there and together we'll see this through.
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Judy Owen
I was close with John and his wife Linda. John died approx. 150pm at his home on 9/21/21 due to the progression of Parkinson's. He was in hospice care. He had battled this disease I think for 23 years. He and Linda have known each other for 32 years. John was a musician playing with the band, Touch, after High School. He and the band leader, Rick Brown, have remained close. Rick was visiting and was with him when he passed. John was a sailor and sailed his boat from Puerto Rico to Palm Coast Florida by himself. He also participated in a sailing race around the world with a team and sailed the first half of the race to Africa. He said it was an intense experience and very hard. John also had a small plane pilot license and built small remote aircraft for people to fly in competitions. He was into motorcycles, cars and design. I remember his Austin Healy and Maverick. When he worked at NTW in Ravensworth he found 4 American Racing Mags for my Mustang and mounted my first radial Bridgestone tires. I still have the Mags on the car today and have the original receipt from him. When I visited several times, Linda, he and I had a great time. John was a fighter and the effects of Parkinsons took over only in the past few years. He operated with it for many years with the help of Linda, who is a registered and retired nurse, who was his advocate with using medications to help him be himself for a very long time. John asked to give his body to science to help others with Parkinsons, which I am humbled as a very noble and selfless act. He also asked for no services. He loved all his friends immensely and thought of them and was senstive to their troubles without thinking of his own situation. He was always brave and wanted people to know he was OK. When he became more immobile and Linda was in surgery, he would call and we would have a phone cocktail- he had Margaritas and I beer, and we would laugh over the memories and shenanigans during high school years. John was highly intelligent and could do just about anything he put his mind to. In the last few weeks as the disease rapidly progressed many contacted and it gave him a great boast. Linda would read texts and emails to him. He received the love, support and peace only good friends could provide, which I know meant vast amounts to him and Linda. Michael Gutherie and I had conversations with him about eternity, he made his relationship with the Lord and promised he would be waiting for us and have the party started! John you are now a whole person, God Bless you! Yes the party starts with a Toast this Saturday at 5pm.
James Burden
I knew John primarily through sports at AHS. We were not what I would call close friends, but we had numerous personal encounters, all of which I have good memories. There are simply no negative memories of John. He was always nice to me. He had a quick wit and I enjoyed joking around with him from time to time.
5 years back I gave him a call when we were contacting classmates to see who might be coming to the 45th reunion. The very first thing he did was congradulate me for winning the Masters National Diving Championship in Orlando. He told me that I had better look him up next trip to Florida. That was quite nice.
We lost a good man. I hope that his wife and family take comfort in knowing he is resting in peace.
I will raise my glass and toast John Allen on Saturday.
Michael Guthrie
I had the privilege of walking along side John over these last couple of years thanks to Judy Owen. I was grateful that the health challenge I went through in 2019 gave me a place to talk about dealing with adversity. Like Jim Burden mentioned above, John desired to lift me up vs dwell on his infirmity. He said I was a hero to him for what I had endured. I told him he was the hero because I was confident I would recover from Guillain Barre Syndrome whereas the Partkinsons' would not have the same outcome. I learned a great deal from him over the last couple of years. He battled this disease with dignity and went out of this life loving his friends dearly and with a peace and as Judy said, with a desire to bring life to the party in heaven that has already started with other old friends that have gone before him. I pray for his sister Susan and his dear wife Linda.
Rebecca Cashion (Kleinfelter)
Wow, I am so sorry to hear this news. John and I go way back. One of my fondest memories with John was dancing on the fireplace hearth at some of Bill Legges famous parties in North Sprinfield . John loved to dance and have a good time. He was one of my "rat pack" guys! John, Jimmy, Jeff and Dave.. I had the pleasure of speaking with John a few years back. He called to welcome me to the "sunny state of Florida" and because he had heard that my mom had suffered with Parkinson's. We talked for quite a while and I was amazed with his resolve and attitude regarding his fate. He truly faced this horrible desease with grace and patience.
May you rest in peace, John. And I know you will be the first one at that heavenly party up dancing!!
Robert Lowe
John was my first apartment mate after the death of Doug Coughlan. My brother Dave, Doug and I had been in our apartment for only three weeks when Doug's life was taken way too early. John needed a place to stay so Dave and I agreed that he could move in. We all had a great time together but John didn't stay very long as he had a love interest elsewhere. Jeff Cooper moved in after John vacated the apartment. For the next 12 months Dave and I had 13 different apartment mates. Needless to say it was a bit of a revolving door for that third bedroom.
I spoke with John about a year ago and was surprised to learn what a talented man he was. I had no idea he was a boat Captain and owned his own plane. Sadly, at the time I spoke with him, he had sold his plane and boat and was no longer participating in either activity due to his health. He told me that he was fighting a horrific disease; Parkinsons. I was stunned and very saddened at that news.
From all the accounts above it sounds like John put up a very good fight but sadly his fight ended like all others afflicted with the disease. Perhaps the donation of his body will help science figure out how to treat and possibly cure this insidieous disease.
Rest in Peace John. You impacted many people in a very good way.
Mike Lowe
David Anderson
John and I were very close for about 10 years after college graduations. We were both working in those halcyon days for a local start-up tire company called NTW. From time to time, about 10 other AHS classmates worked there as well, including many from our class. We moved up the ladder together, the company grew nationally and John eventually became an NTW franchisee. We had so much fun, although it all ended when the company was sold to Sears and became NTB many years ago. It's had many other corporate owners since then.
We stayed in touch over the next 20 years and went to a few Boat Shows together. John loved sailing, music and cars so we had lots in common. We then lost touch until about 5 years ago when we began having the phone conversations many others have mentioned. I could tell his condition was deteriorating but he was remarkably strong, positive and always wanting to know how others were doing, not talking much about his own situation. And yes, we also had phone cocktails. He would often mention how lucky he was to have Linda to be with and care for him. In a recent text with her, I asked if there was anything I could do to help her. She responded "know anyone who wants to buy a 40 ft sailboat. Lol"
I'll be joining the toast for my old friend this Saturday at 5.
Clinton McKinney
I first meet and got to know John while playing freshman football at Annandale High. Once you meet John it didn't take long for you to know him through his warm and welcoming demeanor. We would pass each other in the hallways occasionally as we all did. One such occasion John was with Jeff Cooper and we stopped to talk and John tried to talk me into going out for the varsity football team the following season. John and I were not what you would call close friends but anytime you talked to John he would make you feel like you were. I'm sure that anyone that ever meet John would feel the sameway. After hearing of Johns declining health I texted him through his wife, Linda. After fifty years, I wasn't sure he would remember me. Linda texted me back and said he did remember me. After reading these tributes to John, I am in awe over his accomplishments. However, putting all that aside I am more impressed with the man that John was. I'm sure, the way he greeted classmates to the sunshine state, he will be greeting his classmates to heaven. Rest in peace John
I will also join in that toast at 5:00
Paul Peters
Today at 5:00 pm I raised my eyes heavenward, hoisted my diet Pepsi and joined others to pay tribute to our departed classmate, John Allen -
Words From My Heart - Today we gathered as a class once more to remember those we held dear, those we lost and the bond we forged. Love one another, give to others and share your passion of life. Take comfort in knowing that you are loved. They say that time heals all, so hang in there and together we'll see this through.