I first met John when Oak Grove played Washington grade school in basketball. John and I became the best of friends starting in the 7th grade during football season. I have a lot of good memories of playing sports and just hanging out with John in Marietta. Of course, some of those times we did get into a "little" trouble. We used to be called "Mutt and Jeff" because we were seen together a lot. John did not play that much in sports at Marietta High School, but he was the heart and soul of every team he was associated with. After graduation from college, he became a winning Basketball Coach and was given several outstanding awards in the greater Cleveland Metro area. John was even the Best Man at my wedding. We always checked up on each other every time we returned to Marietta and we kept in touch up until the time he passed away. I will never forget when Larry Schwendeman, Bill Rice and I went to Cleveland several months before his death. Even while sucking on a pain-relieving lollipop, he took the three of us on a tour of downtown Cleveland snd showed us the new stadium. He stayed active right up until the cancer finally put him in the hospital for the last time. That was the way he was all of his life. It did not seem right going to the last reunion and not having John there. He is sorely missed by all who had any association with him. I will always cherish the memories of our friendship. Dave Stacy
I will miss John at our reunion. He was a fun loving guy and we had a good time laughing together. I knew John's mother, June, and she would keep me in touch with John and his wife. She always wanted them to move back to Marietta. My memories and friendship with John and Karen are special.
John Stacy
I first met John when Oak Grove played Washington grade school in basketball. John and I became the best of friends starting in the 7th grade during football season. I have a lot of good memories of playing sports and just hanging out with John in Marietta. Of course, some of those times we did get into a "little" trouble. We used to be called "Mutt and Jeff" because we were seen together a lot.John did not play that much in sports at Marietta High School, but he was the heart and soul of every team he was associated with. After graduation from college, he became a winning Basketball Coach and was given several outstanding awards in the greater Cleveland Metro area.
John was even the Best Man at my wedding. We always checked up on each other every time we returned to Marietta and we kept in touch up until the time he passed away.
I will never forget when Larry Schwendeman, Bill Rice and I went to Cleveland several months before his death. Even while sucking on a pain-relieving lollipop, he took the three of us on a tour of downtown Cleveland snd showed us the new stadium. He stayed active right up until the cancer finally put him in the hospital for the last time. That was the way he was all of his life.
It did not seem right going to the last reunion and not having John there. He is sorely missed by all who had any association with him. I will always cherish the memories of our friendship.
Dave Stacy
Judith Stewart (Deering)
I will miss John at our reunion. He was a fun loving guy and we had a good time laughing together. I knewJohn's mother, June, and she would keep me in touch with John and his wife. She always wanted them to move back to Marietta. My memories and friendship with John and Karen are special.