Please visit John's Findagrave memorial, and leave virtual flowers and a note. It is located HERE.

You knew him as Wayne and I knew him as John, it makes no difference what name he used because to know him was to love him, you just couldn't help it. He had a way about him and a love of life that was unmatched by any other person I had ever met before in my life. It showed through in his eyes and his approach to life. He was a proud man and proud of being a Veteran and he should have been. He gave his all and suffered for years because of it. But that never stopped John, he kept on. He didn't give up. No matter what obstacle was set in his way, he managed to find a way around it and to go on. He suffered unbearable physical pain and much emotional heart ache but he went on and tried to live each day to it's fullest the best he could and he dealt with life the only way he knew how to. Over the past few years I have gotten to know John and we shared a lot together. I had the privilege of getting to know the man, the man that kept much hidden inside and showed it to very few. Under his armor was a very loving man who truly loved everyone in his life and I know he was so proud of his children and grandchildren and he loved them dearly and regretted not telling them or showing them often enough just how much he cared about them and loved them. He was always talking about one or another of them and recently he had started sending out pictures of them to all that knew him. I have been one of the fortunate people to have had the privilege of getting to know him and sharing a small portion of his life. For me John will always live on in memories and in my heart. All John asked of life was to be loved and cared for and I pray that he knows he was and will be forever. He may be gone from this earth but never will he be gone from our memories or our hearts. Let us all take a moment and reflect on our memories of John and forever think of him kindly.
May God have mercy on his soul and may He take John into His loving arms and grant John the peace and love that he longed for, for so long. Amen.
John! I can't be there today to say farewell in person but know you will never be forgotten and I will love you forever. Also know that I will keep my promise to you.
Pauline please accept my deepest sympathy at your loss. It has been a pleasure to know you and I thank you for always accepting me with open arms into your life and your home. I love you and know that I will always be here for you if you ever need me. Please keep in touch. God be with you!
To the rest of John's family and friends go my condolences. I am happy to have had the opportunity to meet some of you. Please keep in touch. As for the rest, I only know you by what John had told me of you. Know that he loved and cared about all of you. Also, please hold on to your memories of John and know that John is now at peace and in the loving arms of God and that he will always be watching over you with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face and with eternal love. God Bless!
With all my love,
Cheryl (Sheba)

I have known John (Vet49) for over two years. Everytime I see the American flag wave, everytime I hear America the Beautiful or The Star Spangled Banner, everytime I think of the Pride that some have in being American, I think of JOHN. Thinking of him brings pride to all of us being American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had the pleasure of meeting him in person in Tennessee in August of 98. I felt as though I had known him for years. We talked, laughed, and even sang (with all the other boomer buddies, of course). His smile, his words, his kindness, his love for his fellow friends and fellow Veterans shined through him like a beacon of light from the heavens.
I am proud and honored to have had John for a friend He will always have a special place in my heart, and will always be with me in beautiufl memories.
Angela (AL)

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss. John was a fine man. Although we will certainly miss him, it is to a far, far better place he goes. At last the war has ended for him. God be with you all.
Donna (Duna)

May God rest John's troubled soul and give him the peace he so much needed while on earth.....Rest in peace John***
Jamie

I personally never had the opportunity to chat with John, so I know nothing of his life nor him, other than what he has left us here on AOL and I quote straight from his profile...
Dost thou love life? Than do not Squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Very well said John, may you rest in peace.
Kathie (Sco)

I just wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of your brother John. I had never met John face to face, but he was a much beloved boomer in our little cyber world. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers for Him and his family.
A Friend
Nancy (BGreen)

I am so sorry to hear about John. I knew him for almost 2 years here from the Boomer Room. I had a chance to meet him in Gatlinburg this past August too, at a Boomer Party.
John came with love in his heart......and a smile for everyone. Even tho he was in the wheelchair....he wanted to do all he could for himself. He was truly an example of dignity. We all sat around and sang songs from the 60s and 70s.......John sang along.....loud and clear.....belting out "Rollin on the River".
Whenever John wrote to us.....he ALWAYS ended with the words " I care".......he reminded us of those who passed on during Viet Nam...... and he kept their memory in our hearts. Whenever he could, he sent us a picture of his grandchildren. On February 12, he tried to send one out, but it wasn't attached.
John did care about everyone and everything........He will be missed and will be forever in our hearts.
I believe in heaven......a place of peace and healing and reunion with loved ones.
John is healed now.....no more pain....and he is with his son and others he loved.
Gail, you and your family are in our prayers.
Marsha (Witt)

Please extend my deepest condolences to the friends and family. Written words are hard to convey expressions and feelings, but I will try to give my thoughts on a most caring person that I have had the pleasure to meet.
John was just a person that was on my email list before an "America On Line" "BabyBoomer's" party in Gatlinburg, Tennessee last August, 1998. I met John there and it took only a brief period of time to realize that here was a real Individual. We all have our faults and foibles, this makes us different. Thank God for the difference. John was not without these also, but that is what makes Americans great. John was an "American."
I sometimes wonder about the rest of us at times. His patriotism is unquestionable. His caring is something that I wish all of us could take a drink of, to be better persons. I have seen this caring from John with my own eyes. He placed his own safety and well being last, for the aid and comfort of another persons first. A truly unique person was John. He will be missed by all his BabyBoomer Buddies.
There is more that I could say, but I know you will be inundated by all "Boomers" wishing to express their sympathy. I hope you understand my brevity. Thank you and a "John's" Blessing to you all.
I am:
Mr. Lyn Grossholz, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Adjutant, Veterans of Foreign Wars of America, Post # 435
and proud to have known John.
John use to come in to boomers room enjoyed seeing him him in the room..He will sure be missed..Prayers are with you and your family..May God Bless you all..
With Sympathy and Friendship
Gloria (One4Gossip)

I am so sorry to hear about John I met John in Gatlinberg and I hugged him and said Hi Im Sonya and he said I love you Sonya, what a sweet man. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Love, Sonya50

My deepest sympathy for your loss. John and I sent e-mail back and forth a few times in the last months. My biggest wish was to say something to take away the pain he was feeling. And, I believe I did that because he offered his phone number if I should need to ever talk. We shared about our love for our sons and how hard it is to lose those that you love so much for whatever reason. He always explored how to be kinder...wanted to know if he said things perhaps in the wrong way....my response to him...you are by far a kind man....if you take the time to ask how you can be kinder then that explains THAT! We talked about him taking good care of himself...and that there are always reasons for everything...nothing is really an accident. He seemed to enjoy the computer and I will miss his notes.....his thoughts...and him.
My deepest sympathy....I feel as though I lost a family member today....
Love, BeckyNFla

I can remember when I first came into the room. John was so quiet and I felt he was either lonely or shy. He didnt talk much. I would say hello to him everytime I came in. He like his music and he would play music wavs. It got so that everytime we saw each other we would play the song I Do It For You. I used to talk to him in IMs and in fact the last time I talked to him was just 3 days ago. He seemed to be fine. Im so sorry to hear about his passing. He has been a friend for a long time. He would listen to my problems and I would listen to him. I had the pleasure to meet him at the Gatlinburg reunion in Aug of last year. Enjoyed it very much. My thots are with you and your family at this sad time. John will be remembered by the boomer family.
Love, Betty (Dreemca101)

I am ever so thankful I met John in Gatlinburg, so pleased and amazed to see him.  Thank you from the depth of my heart and soul, Cheryl and all the boomers for making such a difference in his life. Meeting John, touching and hugging him made me realize how much strength we give each other, how strong we can truly be and how much others mean to us and support us.  May we always think of John, Barb, Ron and Dan as well as each other when we need that strength in our own lives.  John's family has been warmed beyond words to know and see the boomer family, the love and support John experienced here in our other world. We did make a difference after all....
Smiling, Anne (Lady)

John is survived by his mother, Pauline Welch, brothers Claborne and Michael, sisters Sandra, Sheila, Sherry and Trina, daughters Kendra, Faith, Hope and Patricia, and five grandchildren.

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