John is Gavin's friend. At least that's how it started. 9 years ago Gavin brings this kid over to Dan's mom's house and all we know is that he's "kinda cool" and is "awesome on the guitar." Flash forward nine years and edit out all the stories protected by "Guy Code & Man Law" and its Feb. 2007, John & myself, along with Rebekah are sitting having margaritas and before I even get my first sip John ever so calmly says, "So I got engaged." All that time doesn't seem like 9 years, but to date, these last three weeks
seem like forever.

This is how it works. Every Friday for the last year, probably two, John sends me the same email. It started as, "Anything going on tonight?" now I just get "?" and I know what it means. Those emails haven't been there in a while, but I keep checking. I know they'll be back soon.

It was the summer of 2003 in Jimmy’s back yard was when I met John for the first time. Since that time there are a couple of things that I have learned from John as I have gotten to know him as a friend. The first thing is that, Taco Taco Nachos are always best on a Friday night after hanging out in Jimmy’s garage while having a few drinks and working on some project that involves glue, razor blades, rope, tape and saw dust all over the place. John is a pretty mean artist when it comes to a cardboard box Holloween costume with the help of red paint & a brush.
The next thing that I have learned from John is that Jim is not always as tough as he seems to be. However, the most important thing that I have learned from John is that he is a once in a lifetime kind of friend. He is the person that knows just what to say and when to say it.

There are only two things that can sum up my first recollections of John’s friendship… ZagNut and heckling referees.  A blink of an eye and nine years later has given me enough random and off-the-wall stories to make countless brain dead and plotless comedies.  Somewhere between the torturous hours of gutrenching laughter came a majority of the most memorable times in my life.  Whether it was living 1,200 miles away, sweating through a four hour jam session, or discussing the uneasy unfoldings of new found adulthood during a late night cruise, John has always been the one to turn to.
I am eagerly anticipating the return of those days… 

Since meeting John, I have accumulated nothing but good memories. John has a unique personality that lights up a room, which is something that I first noticed about him.  The Milwaukee fest was the beginning of it all for me. No matter how many nights spent out with him and the friends, he continues to make me laugh harder than I ever thought I could.  I always look forward to seeing him because I know there will never be a dull moment.  I wish nothing more than to spend many more bright days ahead with our friend.

I don't remember exactly when I met John, but he has been a great friend for a long time now.  John has always been unique in so many ways.  One of the first times I realized this was when John was called upon to read in a high school English class we shared.  The teacher called his name and I'll never forget John's response.  He just looked up at the teacher and replied "pass".  Now, I never knew that was an option but John got away with it.  He has always had his own way of looking at things, and his uniqueness is just one reason why we love him.

John's love of music has been a big influence in my life.  His musical abilities have always amazed me.  Not only is he an outstanding guitar player, but he can play just about any instrument you put in front of him. John has introduced me to many of my favorite new rock bands, and I've attended countless concerts with him.  John has always been my faithful concert going companion, and I can hardly wait to get back out there.

It all started back in the wonderful year of 1996.  I walked into the locker room to change for first period gym class, opened a locker across from a kid with long bleach blonde hair and said, “what’s up?” he then replied, “what’s up dude?”.  Throughout the two years we were at Nazareth and St. Joe’s we found our interests in school, among other things to be the same and naturally became friends.  I brought John to meet the rest of the faces you see on this website and it was that easy, he became one of us.  Since then John has been part of this group of friends that often feels more like brothers.  I have countless memories from school to vacations, to just hanging out talking about everything and nothing all at the same time.  I haven’t even begun to relate the times we’ve shared, places we’ve gone or the things we’ve done.  I think I speak for everyone when I say that John is a significant part of our lives and his recovery will undeniably fill a part of us that for the past month has been missing. I can’t wait to jump in the car and go for one of those midnight cruises.

You know, there are two kinds of people in the world, John Wilson and everyone else. There’s no one like him. He’s the only guy I know who can turn Zagnuts, nachos, and Green River into an everyday staple. One of the best musicians I’ve ever seen, John's musical talents extend far beyond the realm of most folk's imaginations. John has become one of my closest friends and I, as well as the rest of us, love him dearly. Best John story? Hahaha... we haven’t reached the statute of limitations yet!!!

When I first met John…. Actually I don’t remember meeting John; it seems he has always been around, like the piece of a puzzle fitting in perfectly among the rest.  If one were to look up the definition of unique in the dictionary, John’s picture would surely be next to it. Not to mention the words talent, genius, perfection, extraordinary, and brilliance.  
  
John has been responsible for some of my most memorable moments throughout the years, including:  Wal-Mart and the wheelchair, Mountain Dew and salt, Spirit Falls and a guitar, and walking to White Hen on Halloween.
 
When a good friend is sick everything is put into perspective and day to day activities become mundane and insignificant relative to your friends condition.  Our group is temporarily fractured, but in time we will once again be joking and talking S@#* just like the good old days.  Our prayers and thoughts are with John, knowing that he will prevail because John will always get the last word!

There are so many memories that I have from the past 4 years that I’ve known John. Most of the time that we’ve spent together, have been spent laughing so hard that our stomach’s hurt. John’s stories are always the highlight of the conversations and anyone who knows him knows exactly what I’m talking about. There are times when we are doing nothing at all and John will just start up with one of his stories and go on and on just to get everyone going. I have a lot of crazy stories about my wedding day with John but I will save those for another time. John is a person who loves to have fun and loves to make people laugh. He has such an amazing personality and a sense of humor that could turn around the worst of days. Now, every time we go out we are missing John more than ever, but I know he’ll be back very soon and then we will be the ones telling John all the crazy stories!