Happy Birthday, JP!!! 🎈🎈🎈

Sixty-four years ago, a truly special soul came into the world.

Today, we are missing his funky strength and that gentle, lighthearted sense of humor. This is his first spring of true freedom; though his illness took a lot, it never touched the soul we know and keep close in our hearts.

John had a natural way of connecting with the real side of people and nature, wherever he was. Going out with him always ended up as a memorable event with unexpected interactions and funky outcomes. Perhaps it was because he never cared about titles or status; he simply treated everyone and everything with quiet, honest respect and an open heart.

People just loved being around this tall guy who was always himself—no act, no show, just a steady and kind presence. He didn’t want the spotlight; he just wanted a real connection.

On your birthday and every day after, we carry on that deep connection. You’re still right here with us. ☮️ 💟

John - or as I liked to write it Jhon - was my dad.

But he wasn’t just my dad, he was my missing puzzle piece.

I met John when I was nine. Up until that point, I had a wonderful, full life with my mom and my sister - Ana. We called ourselves the Three Musketeers. And that we were. We did everything together, my mom, a teacher, took us to school each day with her. We would spend our evenings in Okeeheelee Park. Our weekends camping - it was a beautiful childhood. And I had never known another life and yet I felt something was missing.

That feeling vanished the moment I met John. Although I wasn’t his biological daughter, I know in my heart we were spiritually bound. John made me feel seen and understood in a way I never have. He brought so much energy, joy and love into our lives.

Dad, thank you for the long jogs, the after-school surf lessons, the endless kale smoothies, the yoga-filled evenings, and the cannonballs in the pool. Thank you for carrying me on your shoulders when my feet got tired. Thank you for the sweaty hugs, and the back cracks. But most of all, thank you for showing me the power of love.

I carry you with me everywhere I go.

My sister and I met John in 2007 when I was 11. Even though biologically we are unrelated, he was our dad. He began calling Sara and me his daughters before I had even warmed up to the idea of introducing a D’Artagnan into our three Musketeer circle (Sara loved him instantly).

He became the best dad in the entire world.

In childhood, a goofy, kind, and often embarrassing dad. One day while shopping for Halloween costumes, he became enamored with an African-style dress, which he wore out of the store in broad daylight—I wanted to die. He hated pants, ties, and shaving almost as much as he hated Republicans (intended hyperbolically John hated no one).

John was a man of many talents. He was a Princeton graduate, a lawyer, spoke fluent Spanish, and played a mean hand flute (not a euphemism, guys). But he reigned supreme at picking out the most disgusting health foods ever known to mouth. When we met John, my sister and I had high hopes for all the snack possibilities that could soon be at our disposal. (Anyone who knows my mother knows we ate healthy.) We were familiar with the stereotype of Americans who loved their Twinkies. However, much to our dismay, the only snacks in his house were health bars made out of grass. I won’t ever forget the taste of the most disgusting thing I have ever attempted to eat.

My mother and John were a match made in heaven, rejecting the norms and giving us a very unconventional childhood.

We had kale smoothies instead of juice boxes. Agave instead of sugar. Dryers were bad for the environment and therefore banned from the house, and skinny dipping is how nature intended humans to swim (I never got on board with that second one). We did yoga Saturday mornings, never stepped foot in a church, and celebrated winter solstice. Our presents were rarely in material form and almost always an experience (camping, road trips, or summers in Europe), except for the occasional fossilized dinosaur poop. Thanks to John, my answer to “what’s the weirdest gift you have ever received?” is fossilized dinosaur poop.

John’s Alzheimer’s affected him for most of my adult life, but even so, he never lost his essence. He visited me in Germany, Ireland, Austin, and NYC. We traveled, played pool, watched basketball, listened to jazz, and drank a lot of beer together. John, if we ever meet again, you owe me like 100 rounds. I love you so, so, so much, always will.

While I have been greatly disappointed with life for taking my dad much sooner than I would have liked, it is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to have spent the last 19 years with him.

I hope to honor John by living out the same kindness and compassion he showed to everyone he met.

I met John Freshman year at Princeton at the Boathouse and was so fortunate to know him throughout his life. John was a wonderful person and great friend.  I will miss him greatly. My deepest condolences to Mona and his two daughters.

Jotham

Conocí a John hace 25 años, en febrero de 2001 en Huehuetenango, coincidimos en el mismo espacio laboral, pero al conocerlo tuve el privilegio que fuera  mi amigo. Guardo bellos recuerdos de momentos compartidos y me llena de tristeza enterarme de su fallecimiento, mi corazón está quebrado.

Pero quiero recordarlo siempre como la maravillosa persona que fue, un hombre muy especial, auténtico, generoso,respetuoso, empático, inteligente, amable, sincero, honesto, compasivo y tanto más que se puede decir de él.

En mi corazón guardo la esperanza que la biblia nos da que John va a resucitar, va a volver a vivir, ahora está descansando, ya no está sufriendo por esa terrible enfermedad, Jesús dijo lo que leemos en Juan 5:28-29: "No se asombren de esto, porque viene la hora en que todos los que están en las tumbas oirán su voz y saldrán: los que hicieron cosas buenas, para una resurrección de vida..."

La ausencia de John me duele en el alma pero su linda amistad y los recuerdos que me dejó vivirán siempre en mi corazón.

Mis más sinceras condolencias para Sharon, Page, William, Mona, Sara, Anais y para todos los que lo conocimos y amamos, que Jehová el Creador llene sus corazones de paz, consuelo y fortaleza.

John, my friend—thank you for all the time we shared and the memories we created.

I truly appreciate the light you brought into this world and the way you showed me a different perspective on life. You lived as a good man—someone who cared deeply for others, especially those less fortunate. You taught me to help when I can, to give without expecting anything in return.

You showed me that there is still honor in being righteous, even when no one is watching.

Your smile could light up any room, and your presence naturally drew people in. You were a great man—one I strive to be more like every day.

I’ll always be grateful for our time together—from the days on the farm to our simple moments sitting down, sharing a fresh mango off the tree.

I will miss you, but I find peace knowing you are in the greatest place of all.

Thank you for everything. The wisdom you gave me—your kindness, your compassion—will stay with me, and I will carry it forward through my life and into my bloodline, forever.

I'm so sorry to hear this.  We were college classmates.  He was a wonderful person-- kind, easygoing but so engaging. I didn't see him often after we graduated, but I enjoyed every visit.