Monday, February 15, 2010

Goodbye Dr. John

After taking a week away due to work, I turned on the computer today only to find some rather sad news. I learned the blogging world is a little bit quieter today. Dr. John of "Dr. John's Fortress" passed away earlier today.

I met John about a year or so ago when I was writing "Wordzzles". (a writing challenge hosted by another site.) He instantly impressed me with his command of witty writing and his flare for words large and small larger. He continued his story telling on Portrait of Words and co-hosted that site (along with Thom) in my absence. On his own site, he offered up sermons on Sundays, entertained us with tales of the happenings in a town known as Pigeon Falls and kept us abreast of the poor bungling Agent 012. (my personal favorite)

Our visits to each others sites waned over the past couple of months. Don't know why, just did. I wish now I'd have gone by more often.

I'll miss John. . .

Sometimes it's not easy or comfortable saying something when another passes, but the ones left behind can always use a kind word or thought. If you have a mind to, please go by and leave a note for John's wife Betty. She writes on a blog that can be found here.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute Jeff. That is just wonderful. Agent 012 was one of my favorites along with Chief Ican and Sir Laughsalot. Boy I miss him. Thanks for leaving the link to his wonderful wife Betty. I should have done that on mine. Thank goodness for memories.

Nessa said...

Lovely, Jeff. He entertained us in so many ways. I always enjoyed his dragon history lessons.

Roan said...

Very nice tribute. Thanks for letting us know. My visits have been fewer of late, as well. I also enjoyed the adventures of Agent O12. Dr. John will be missed.

Akelamalu said...

Nice tribute Jeff.

I will miss Dr John very much. :(

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

I did not know this blogger, but when a voice is silenced, we all lose.

Sandi McBride said...

I'll treasure the last comment from Dr John which was just last week...I'll miss Pigeon Falls and the dragons...his common sense approach to the Church and Faith...his undeniable love of life and comedy...drama and imagination...I know though that Heaven is a happier place because of the return of a son.
Sandi

Ron said...

So sorry to hear about Dr. John.

I didn't know him, but I still feel sad, because I remember seeing his comments on several bloggers posts throughout the past year.

You will be missed, Dr. John.

Thanks for this touching tribute, buddy.

Jay said...

I didn't know him, but it's always sad to lose someone from the bloggerhood. Condolences to his family and friends.

Jeni said...

I'm running a day behind in my blog reading -something that seems to happen more frequently of late -and your post came up on my reader with the news of Dr. John's passing.
I've been following his blog for close to a year now and have enjoyed his pieces as well as appreciated his many thoughtful comments left on my blog too. I especially enjoyed his Sunday sermons too. As a Lutheran -who doesn't always make it to Sunday services -he followed the same Bible readings each week as does our minister, our church, and sometimes, his sermons were following the same train of thought too that our minister had in her sermons here too -a bit of good reinforcement at times.
I will truly miss his presence and often calming influence he had with his comments over some of the chaos often present in my own life.
Again, Jeff -thanks for posting this for folks who "knew" him and for those who didn't, to have the opportunity to perhaps read some of his words too.

Sandee said...

I heard about this yesterday. How sad. What an inspiration this man was. :(

Dianne said...

I just learned of this this morning

I too fell out of touch with Dr. John but remember him fondly

well done Jeff, thanks

nitebyrd said...

I'm not familiar with his blog but you've written a lovely tribute. Thank you, Jeff.

San said...

How sad. I didn't know Dr. John well, but he and I visited one another's blog on occasion. I will drop by Betty's blog.

Travis Cody said...

I didn't know John. My thoughts are with his friends and family.

katherine. said...

one of the benefits of the weblog world is our expanding circle of friendships.

I didn't read Dr John, but I am sure you are a good judge of character.

Mel said...

Bond said it well--when a voice is silenced.....we all lose.

My prayers and thoughts are with those he loved and were by well.
May G-d bring them comfort.
Baruch dayan emet.

Anndi said...

I'm not having a good day, too many losses. I hadn't heard til now. How very sad. He was such a joy to read. Clever, kind and he had a streak of mischief a mile long. The bloggosphere has indeed lost someone special.

Desert Songbird said...

In recent weeks, I have lost three people in my life. Two of them were completely unexpected, and one of those rocked me to my core. I have suffered the loss of both parents, but for several years now, I've been blessed by not being touched by death.

I know it happens, It is a natural part of life. I just don't like it.

Take care, my friend.

buffalodick said...

We all know people in our lives that touch, or touched us... Never easy to lose one, through death, or drifting apart...Life is indeed, a journey...