As mostly a reader and not so much of a contributor, I was very sorry to hear about John. He was a great guy, always with a BIG smile. A note about playing baseball with John. He was a pitcher and I caught him occasionally. One oh his fastballs went right through my glove and 'doinked' my mask which flew off. John, rushed to see if I was ok. Kind of guy he was. It was a strike, too. We attended BG, too. Peace to you sir.
My husband John and I were saddened to hear the news about JC. We always loved visiting with both John and Pam at reunions. The two John's played baseball against each other in high school, and had always spoke of the rivalry, enjoying those memories.
Praying for both John and Pam as difficult decisions are being made. So happy we were able to visit in June at the reunion.
Upon learning of John and Pam's current journey, one of our long time friends, Dr. Kimya Moyo, wrote this in a group message with other of John's friends who are part of our regular Friday evening "Zoom Crew". Such eloquence:
"So sorry to learn about John. I think we have all approached that age where we lose more friends than we make them. It's called "dwindling". Our circle is beginning to dwindle. Life is short and we can only hold on to it as long as God seems necessary. The memories of John, however, shall always stay close to each one of us. Praying that John makes his transition in a state of peace and that his family finds solace in the life that he led."
That news about JC is a heartbreaker. He was always my hero at WHHS. I am grateful for the time I spent with him at the reunion in June. My thoughts are with him and Pam.
I remember John's spirit, energy, ability as both a football player and just a person, a classmate. And kindness and humor. May his and his family's journey be peaceful. It seems like we're all moving closer to that horizon where the sand meets the sky, let it be a smooth ride if possible.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
I never knew John personally but, in one of life's strange coincidences, he came to mind just within the last couple of days as I was thinking back to my stint covering the basketball games for the Chatterbox and how he was one of the big stars. It was just a brief thought and I wondered what had become of him after all these years. I'm really sorry to hear that he's no longer with us.
I met John Robert Compton in 1949 at the Melrose YMCA Nursery School in Walnut Hills. He was a mischievous kid and a good friend. His parents and mine became friends and allowed us to exchange a multitude of playdates. John and I attended Douglass Elementary School together. Even then, I was a shy nerd who was bullied by a lot of bigger and tougher kids, but John became sort of my protector and warned a lot of these guys off. We remained close until I transferred from Douglass to Evanston School. We then lost touch until we encountered each other again at WHHS. We remained friendly throughout high school but were not as close as we formerly were. We had grown in different directions. I always missed the close friendship John and I had. I admired John's ease with people. He was a positive force in our class and will be missed. RIP
John, from the first time I met him, had that smile and strength that lasted throughout our days at Walnut HIlls. John looked after me throughout our years at WHHS as I was prone to get into "situations" that needed someone like John by my side or nearby. We had nothing in common but as it turned out we had a lot in common. As the years went on and we met at reunions John always had that smile and that big hug that reminded me, he was and always was my friend. As the saying goes, John was one of the good guys. RIP. Love, Jolly
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Dale Gieringer
So sorry to hear about John. A terrific athlete and all-around good guy. I always enjoyed our encounters.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Bruce Bittman
As mostly a reader and not so much of a contributor, I was very sorry to hear about John. He was a great guy, always with a BIG smile. A note about playing baseball with John. He was a pitcher and I caught him occasionally. One oh his fastballs went right through my glove and 'doinked' my mask which flew off. John, rushed to see if I was ok. Kind of guy he was. It was a strike, too. We attended BG, too. Peace to you sir.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Sandy Steele (Bauman)
My husband John and I were saddened to hear the news about JC. We always loved visiting with both John and Pam at reunions. The two John's played baseball against each other in high school, and had always spoke of the rivalry, enjoying those memories.
Praying for both John and Pam as difficult decisions are being made. So happy we were able to visit in June at the reunion.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Ann Shepard (Rueve)
Upon learning of John and Pam's current journey, one of our long time friends, Dr. Kimya Moyo, wrote this in a group message with other of John's friends who are part of our regular Friday evening "Zoom Crew". Such eloquence:
"So sorry to learn about John. I think we have all approached that age where we lose more friends than we make them. It's called "dwindling". Our circle is beginning to dwindle. Life is short and we can only hold on to it as long as God seems necessary. The memories of John, however, shall always stay close to each one of us. Praying that John makes his transition in a state of peace and that his family finds solace in the life that he led."
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Nelson Abanto
That news about JC is a heartbreaker. He was always my hero at WHHS. I am grateful for the time I spent with him at the reunion in June. My thoughts are with him and Pam.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Paul Simons
I remember John's spirit, energy, ability as both a football player and just a person, a classmate. And kindness and humor. May his and his family's journey be peaceful. It seems like we're all moving closer to that horizon where the sand meets the sky, let it be a smooth ride if possible.
Ann Shepard (Rueve)
Spoken at my father's funeral
"2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Rest in peace my friend.
Doug Gordon
I never knew John personally but, in one of life's strange coincidences, he came to mind just within the last couple of days as I was thinking back to my stint covering the basketball games for the Chatterbox and how he was one of the big stars. It was just a brief thought and I wondered what had become of him after all these years. I'm really sorry to hear that he's no longer with us.
Dexter Roger Dixon
I met John Robert Compton in 1949 at the Melrose YMCA Nursery School in Walnut Hills. He was a mischievous kid and a good friend. His parents and mine became friends and allowed us to exchange a multitude of playdates. John and I attended Douglass Elementary School together. Even then, I was a shy nerd who was bullied by a lot of bigger and tougher kids, but John became sort of my protector and warned a lot of these guys off. We remained close until I transferred from Douglass to Evanston School. We then lost touch until we encountered each other again at WHHS. We remained friendly throughout high school but were not as close as we formerly were. We had grown in different directions. I always missed the close friendship John and I had. I admired John's ease with people. He was a positive force in our class and will be missed. RIP
James Schloss
John, from the first time I met him, had that smile and strength that lasted throughout our days at Walnut HIlls. John looked after me throughout our years at WHHS as I was prone to get into "situations" that needed someone like John by my side or nearby. We had nothing in common but as it turned out we had a lot in common. As the years went on and we met at reunions John always had that smile and that big hug that reminded me, he was and always was my friend. As the saying goes, John was one of the good guys. RIP. Love, Jolly