John came into my life when I was a young child, when his mother married my uncle. Their wedding is one of my earliest childhood memories.

Before that, my brother and I were the first kids of a new generation in a large family. Then, suddenly, we had two new cousins who were just a few years older than us, and our childhood was forever changed.

His family moved to a house in the same neighborhood as ours, and for a brief period we even went to the same elementary school.

John was always up for finding fun and never particularly concerned about getting into trouble. Every family gathering became an adventure.

Some of my fondest memories of him and that era include:

*Forming The Grinch Club one Christmas Eve at our grandparents’ house - a secret society where we creeped around all night pulling pranks such as dumping salt into people’s beers.

*Receiving Sony Walkmans from our grandmother for Christmas one year. She was well known for giving amazing presents and that year Walkmans were *the* hot gift of the season. We walked around the whole night with our headphones on thinking we were so cool - completely oblivious to how annoying we must have been to everyone trying to get our attention.

*Performing airbands to Jive Talking, our collective favorite song. My brother was on drums, I was relegated to the tambourine, while John, of course, took lead vocals. To this day, whenever I hear that song it reminds me of him.

The years went on, and our families moved apart. Decades passed. But I was lucky to reconnect with John when we were both new parents living in Southern California. I am grateful for that.

John left an impression on people and they remembered him. Sharing the same last name… I’ve had people approach me who knew him and wanted to know if we were related. My brother, who is another “John Oldach,” tells a similar story of people reaching out to him over the years thinking he was actually our cousin and wanting to reconnect.

I’ll always remember John for his humor, his infectious energy and ability to turn any moment into something memorable. I’m grateful for those childhood memories and the period that our lives intersected.

Since John was a toddler, he warmed the room. He was always welcoming and loving with arms wide open for a hug. We love you, John. We love your beautiful family and you are forever in our hearts. 

Maggie, Charlie, Jamel and Kelson

I wish I could have spent more time with John, but the memories I do have with him were wonderful. 

I met John after I graduated high school when we took a trip to California.  What I didn’t know was that he and my dad arranged to take me to the Taylormade HQ and get me fitted for clubs top to bottom.  It was an experience of a lifetime, and I’ve never forgotten his generosity.  

Golf has been a through-line that has connected me with this family, and I hope somewhere down the line I can repay John’s generosity to me to another young player.  

All of you who knew him better are in my thoughts, and I want you to know I love you all very much.  

The very first time I met John was at Melanie and Rick’s house in California when Noah and his friends were renting their home to them.

It was a Christmas celebration for our family, and Nathaniel and I drove from northern California to spend the holidays with Ashley’s family!

Nathaniel and I arrived late afternoon the wonderful family welcomed us into their lovely home with loving welcome arms!

It was so worth the long trip!

John, Christa, and their baby son were also there!

John was so happy to see us arrive safely!

He and his sweet little family were so excited to get home later that evening to put together Jackson’s gifts to open on Christmas Day!

John’s wonderful handsome smile for his task for his son was, and is in my mind forever!

Another Christmas came, with John and his family joining us at Ashley and Nathaniel’s home for  Christmas!

John was full of joy, love, and gratefulness to be among all of them us!

I remember the glass coffee pot broke that evening, and he was the first to get up early that morning to go and get a new 🆕 one for all of us to enjoy coffee that morning!

He couldn’t wait to take Jackson sightseeing that day to all the fun parks and places in Scottsvalley!

He marveled over the trip from Southern California through the beautiful sights of Big Sur!

He was always smiling, giving, and had much joy for all of us!

Finally, at Ashley and Nathaniel’s wedding he was so very proud of his son Jackson being part of their wedding!

His smile said it all!

I LOVE my son and family!

These are the things I most remember of John!

May you rest in peace sweet boy!

We all love you!

Linda Wheelock