Dec. 31, 1943 - Oct. 12, 1997

"For John"

You filled up our senses
Like a walk in the rain
Put a light in our eyes
Helped us ease our pain

Made us imagine a storm in the desert
Where the west wind blows
A swim with the dolphins
A ride on the Calypso

You were there with us all
When we first fell in love
Helped us raise our children
Showed us God up above

Helped us soar like an eagle
Carrying the freedom you feel when you fly
Gave us the wild wind for a brother
And a wild Montana sky

You fulfilled your Poems and Prayers and Promises
When you flew away that day
No matter how much we wanted to keep you here
You just had to Fly Away

So it's Goodbye Again
I'm sorry you are leaving us
Goodbye Again
As if we didn't know
It's Goodbye Again

You had to go and see some friends of yours
And some you didn't know
And some who weren't familiar with your name
It was something deep inside of you
Not hard for us to understand
You needed anyone who'd listen to you sing

And though our hours are empty now
Who are we to blame
Did we think if you were always here
Our love would be the same

As it is the time we spent
Was worth the time alone
And being near your side
Was the greatest peace we've ever known

I guess you had to find another audience to sing for
To share your talent and love with
We will miss you old friend
But we will never forget you.........ever

author- - - Wayne Pleasants
lifetime fan and friend
Lafayette, Louisiana

In a letter dated July 15, 1980, John wrote....

"...death is not an ending, but a symbol of movement along the path upon which we are all traveling. As it may be painful to lose contact with the physical aspect of one we love, the spirit can never be lost. We have been and always will be a part of each other.