My sincere condolences to Jennie and the rest of the Granrose family.    I am not surprised actually by the news, but stunned more by the fact that today is the actual day of the funeral. 

John was my oldest friend and best friend from high school.....and we have kept in touch over the past 65 years.   High school would not have been the same for me without John.  We were actually best friends, went to the senior prom together; and he encouraged me to continue my education, which has meant a lot to me over the years.   

John was a gentleman, always.....honest, smart, and someone who I am so glad to have known.   I remember watching him as a guest minister at more than one church during the summer, and being his guest as he performed his magic act at the new hotel on Miami Beach.    We attended many churches, all denominations, over the years, enjoying the differences and similarities that we discussed later.  

My husband Jack and I were most fortunate to see Jennie and John when they visited Florida several years ago.   It was a lovely visit which I remember fondly.    

With sincere and loving thoughts, Elaine

I keeping with Dad's wishes, he wanted a quote from Leonard Cohen's album, "You Want it Darker" as a part of his memorial so I'm posting the lyrics along with a link to this song.   He was ready.

Lyrics

… If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game

If you are the healer, it means i'm broken and lame

If thine is the glory, then mine must be the shame

You want it darker

We kill the flame

… Magnified, sanctified

Be the holy name

Vilified, crucified

In the human frame

A million candles burning

For the help that never came

You want it darker

… Hineni, hineni

I'm ready, my Lord

… There's a lover in the story

But the story's still the same

There's a lullaby for suffering

And a paradox to blame

But it's written in the scriptures

And it's not some idol claim

You want it darker

We kill the flame

… They're lining up to prisoners

And the guards are taking aim

I struggle with some demons

They were middle class and tame

I didn't know I had permission

To murder and to maim

You want it darker

… Hineni, hineni

I'm ready, my Lord

… Magnified, sanctified

Be the holy name

Vilified, crucified

In the human frame

A million candles burning

For the love that never came

You want it darker

We kill the flame

… If you are the dealer, let me out of the game

If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame

If thine is the glory, mine must be the shame

You want it darker

… Hineni, hineni

Hineni, hineni

I'm ready, my Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch…

My favorite memory of Grandpa John was the many visits to him and Jennie in Athens, GA when I was younger. My sister, Rose, and I would stay in one room on two twin beds while my brother, Anthony, and Cousin Daniel (and sometimes other cousin Xavier) would share the other room down the hall. We would fill our days with going with Grandpa to the UGA Gym where we would play in the pool as he did his morning laps. Then to the public library where we rented out our favorite DVD's to watch and had a day filled of movies and making music on the keyboard that could be found in the Sunroom. Finishing the day with an amazing meal cooked by Jennie and a magic trick.

Visiting my Grandpa as a kid is a memory that I'll have for the rest of my life and one that I'm very thankful to carry with me.