James Atkins (1962)

John was truly my hero when I was a entering freshman at PAHS. He was definitely the BMOC at that time. I'll always remember him walking around campus in his Black Watch sport coat (and matching tie) and in his Black & Red PAHS letterman's jacket. He made such an impression on me that year that I immediately wanted to clone myself to be just like him. He was definitely a PAHS institution and his memory will always live within my mind.

God bless.

Jim Atkins

Class of '62

Helen (Nickname Joy ) Stafford (Walkington) (1960)

John was always a super person and lots of fun to be around. The very best to John,  and his family. God bless,  Joy Stafford Walkington  '60.

Dick Ambrose (1959)

I just happened to see this site by accident trying to find a current address on John.  I had no idea John passed away. 

John and I had a lot of good times in Paris and a few good ones in the Yorktown area when he was stationed at Fort Eustis.

I thought about John today because I heard on the news that the last of the original PLATTERS passed away today at the age of 86.  I was searching around the internet for John's current address to let him know.  When John and I were in Paris we used to hang out at a nightclub called the Epi Club.  The PLATTERS were performing there one night.  John and I stayed there long enough to close the bar down.  The PLATTERS must have thought we were some kind of "International Playboys" because they gave us a ride in their limo back to the apartment where my parents lived.  I don't think  we ever forgot the experience and I don't think any PAHS kids believed the story!

Even my little brother, Bill, had some good experiences with John.  My brother was in Hawaii on R&R from Vietnam.  John told me he and his wife were just walking along on a street in Hawaii when he heard this loud yelling of his name from across the street ---- it was my little brother!  They had a good get-together.  My brother, Bill was just in grade school when we were in Paris.  John was always friendly to him and Bill thought a lot of him. 

Ambroses have had several unexpected run-ins with John over the years.  They were always good experiences and It was always good to see him. I will miss him.

Maybe someone out there can tell me where John is buried.

Dick Ambrose

Class of 1959 

Skip Sablitz (Wolters) (1960)

I'm so sorry that John has passed away. He was always willing to talk, never judgmental, and always kind.

We now have another star in the sky because a beautiful light has gone out on earth.

My deepest condolences to John's family. 

Skipper Wolters (Sablitz) 1960

Joe Walsh (1964)

I fist met John when he was with his buddy Foxworth. They were both huge dudes in lettermans jackets and they politely asked me to stop punching out some jerk who had jumped me in the school bus parking lot at lunch time. A year later, at Shaw A.F.B. in South Carolina,I was at Hillcrest High School and there was John. I reminded him of the incident and we both had a good laugh! He became my good friend, almost like an older brother. And when Foxworth would come up it was funny to hang out with these two gentle giants. I will always remember John as a true gentleman

Phil Davidson (1960)

John, along with Dick Williams, Mike Foxworth, Ed Fill, Larry Rhoades were my best buddies at Paris American High School in Paris, France from 1958 - 61. Some of my best days & times during our junior and senior year in PAHS

Our ranks grow thinner with each passing year - but memories will last until the last one of us has departed.

take care,

Phil Davidson, class of 1960.

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