Catch Up III – Good-bye John
John Wilson, a long-time friend passed away recently. I don’t remember when I first met John but I remember working with him on the early MisCons, the science fiction convention in Missoula, Montana. I am usually given credit for starting MisCon but John is the one who did most of the early financial and legal-type work. He got the convention set up as a corporation, writing bylaws and creating a Board of Directors. He also put together the program book for many years and chaired the convention multiple times. In the initial group of star-eyed dreamers, his down-to-earth approach, attention to detail, and mature experience was invaluable.
In addition to his hard work, John was also just a great guy. He had a quick wit and his optimism was contagious. He was a natural teacher and loved to introduce new people to new things, and new people. He was ALWAYS willing to help out, whatever the task, but had no interest in self-aggrandizement, just satisfaction in a job well done. He was the type of guy who would not only give you the shirt off his back but would make sure it was washed and pressed first. I think he was definitely a person who left the world a better place than he found it, though we’re all a bit sadder now.
Vaya con Dios, John.
Not a Bard 