Whether you knew him as John, Junior, Bunior or Boon, you knew him to be an amazing, kind and gentle friend. John brought people together and kept them close, with his magnetic personality.
From the moment you met him, you did not want to leave his side. He brought his amazing sense of humor, wherever he traveled. An incedibly talented professional, he was a sought after resource in the meetings and events industry.
He left us, way too early, but we know he is now watching over us all.
John, you were an amazing friend, brother, son and colleague! Words cannot express our deepest gratitude, for being in our lives and deeply touching each of us.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWe’d be having a field day of back and forth discussion on what in the world da Bears are doing right now. Oh boy, it’s a doozy this year!
We raised one in your honor again at the end of load-out for WSOS. You’re with me every show I drive your namesake. MAN, you are missed more than you could possibly know!! I could go on and on…
Love you, love you, love you little brother!! Say “hi” and “love you” to Dad for me.
See ya someday! Your big (and yet younger looking ) brother, Slim
So, the other day I decided to sit down at the piano and try to play some sheet music stored in the bench, including "Tenderly" and "Misty". Gosh, was I rusty!
Disappointed that I could hardly play, I sat there and teared up thinking, "Boonie would've been able to play these both so well -- and in true Boon form!" Missed you then...and always will. Lovies, #6
Still take the bike out for a spin every so often for my Boon fix. Miss you and we all think about and talk about you often.
"I will see you again, but not yet....not yet." What movie is that from, Boon? You should have this one down!
Peace
McF--k
I also shared the story of how on your fifth birthday we almost lost you due to you “sniffing” the container of chlorine tablets we had for our swimming pool. That was a close one! I can’t think of how we would’ve missed out on the last 51 years of your humor, insight, generosity and thoughtfulness had that episode spun in the wrong direction, what a tragedy that would have been!
Don’t know if our Bears are even going to have a season this year with our friend Mr. Covid. They’re going to give it a go, but I’m not sure they’ll get through it - we’ll see?
Anyway, still thinking of you every day, missing you TONS, and still thinking it’s all a dream. Love you little brother, always will!
Happy Birthday!
Your bigger brother, Slim
(P.S. - How many pieces of your bike have you taken off so far? )
Love Jodie
Love and miss you, Boonie
Slim
Our beloved Bears had a great season this year and are looking good for the next few, at least. You’d be pleased with most of the moves Mr. Pace has made - especially the Mack trade.
Josh still wants “eggs McBoon” and B and I still expect you to just show up with some flavor of cream pie at our back door.
I’ve been driving you crazy, too! Yes, as I write, I’m driving the truck named after you for a Sardis show in AZ. I’ve passed by tons of places that would have lured you in to explore on your solitude bike trips - Rt 66 half-way point, great caverns, and others.
I could go on and on, but just know that you are fondly thought of each and every day and missed tremendously!!! Take good care of Dad up there - keep ‘em all laughing!
Love and MISS YOU little brother!
Slim
And this being Bears season... I find no words to say how much I already miss the tons of conversations we would have had/and will have about your draft projections, heading down to the Chatterbox before camp and talking about the "juice" we'd drink bragging on their Super Bowl appearance this year. "Don't call me, I'll be on delay!" Yes, but you'd take my call because you knew I would follow proper protocol and first ask what minute into the game you were, so as not to blow anything that you hadn't seen yet. Not sure who I'm gonna call this year...?
Boon, it's been a rough year so far without you and I/WE miss you terribly, but we'll get through it, 'cause we know we'll see you and Dad again. For us, it's just a waiting game until then!
By the way, I didn't know if I was going to like it, but I'm glad B told me to bring your hot tub over to our place. I use it often and can't wait until the snow flies when I can crank it up and watch JJ while the flakes rest on my top knot! We'll honor you at the annual Meet-4-Meat by keeping a chair open for ya.
I could go on, but I think it's time to close out of this one - runnin' out of Kleenex!
Love ya, little bro. 'Til I see ya again!
Slim
One of many times with Bunyard I'll never forget is the night he invited me in to his hot tub and I declined - "I ain't gettin' in that seething cauldron of bacteria!" I responded, with a smile. Boon laughed so hard which of course made me laugh and we were both in tears. I then asked him how many raccoons were living underneath that thing and he spit up his brewsky on Stick-man.
Bunior/Boon/Bunyard/Barnyard/Boon-Dog was definitely a special person; he was smart, kind, witty, hilarious, loyal, generous, selfless, and cool. One of the best human beings I've ever known. It occurred to me that I never heard Boon rip on anyone like most guys do, not even a mild ribbing in jest and I don't think this was a conscious decision, it was simply part of his character, who he was. He was above that and his humor was more, I don't know, intellectual I guess but even that doesn't describe it. Uniquely witty I suppose, just one of MANY reasons why so many people loved him AND instantly liked him when they met him.
I have many memories of great times with my friend Bunyard and I know he would want me to remember all the times we laughed so much it hurt. The times we had to walk away from each other in order to breathe properly and stop the pain in our guts. We made each other cry for cryin' out loud - from laughing so much! Sharing these moments with another human being is incredibly rare and looking back I wish I could have spent more time with him. It was an honor and a pleasure to know this man and to be his friend. Bunyard will stay in my phone and my memory for as long as I live.
Kent Brown
I can't tell you the number of times when I'm doing something and I think, "I'll call Boon", "I should ask Boon", "I'll tell Boon", "Boon would remember", "Boon could help", "I'll drop this off at Boon's house", "Boon would know"... too many times to count.
I miss him dearly and daily.
How often do you think of Boon?
'
I always knew John was a great guy, however sadly never knew him away from work. I learned so much in what was really a celebration of John's life.
I learned John would always want to make everyone feel special, regardless who you were and whether he just met you or was your lifelong friend.
I was touched by the words from his family and friends. Everyone spoke so eloquently about John or Boon as he is better known. I have thought that while I have always tried to make others happy or have fun, I pale in comparison to how John lived his life.
Because, John made you feel special- as though for those moments he was with you, you were the most important person in the World. What a gift! And so, I am going to do my best to follow John's lead.
Wouldn't it be great if we all could do that? I do believe by just treating everyone with respect and compassion, our lives would be so much better.
By the way, I also learned John and I had very similar joys from life: a love for anytime outdoors and the beauty of the nature; skiing, campfires, spending time with friends, soccer, and he also hated mulch!
I wish I could have known this long ago as I know John and I would have been good friends. He was described by all as their "Best Friend".
A sad time for the large family of 8 children and friends who were like family. His legacy will live on in all of you and I hope others who, like me may now be touched by how John lived and loved life!
That gave me a thought for a name of a softball bat, B-52 Heavy Bomber – cool name, tough name. It so happened that I was working for Wilson Sporting Goods and when Wilson bought DeMarini bats and I tossed out the name B-52 for a new bat they were making and they have used it ever since.
So, if you're ever on a softball field or in a sporting goods store and you see a DeMarini B-52 bat I hope it will make you smile knowing the name was inspired by Boon and Slim.
Jodie.
I will miss "what movie is this line from" and "who was the original recording artist" trivia we challenged each other with. And you coulda let me win at least once!
I just never imagined last summer as we sat on your patio until the sun came up and talked about the loss of parents that I would be talking about your loss in a few short months. If I had known, I would never have left!
I hear they have Gold Wings in heaven, so let's go for a ride if I'm lucky enough to get there.
I will see you Boon, but not too soon. And God, be prepared to be entertained.
But one of my favorite stories of John was this. One time, Ken Haller and I had decided to take Bunior down. We were going to bum rush him in the Lighthouse theater and tackle him (or try too). See, neither one of us could do it alone, so we were going to try together. So, we came into the Theater, John was at the back, Ken went right to flank him, I came straight at him. Within a second I was being held upside down and John was swinging at Ken, all the while he was laughing at us. Now for context, I'm 6'2" and was probably 200lbs at the time. We finally conceded the fight and he let me down and between him catching his breath and laughing at us we all had a good laugh. Ken and I talked about that moment many times after, about how strong he was, and surprisingly quick for his size. And we never tried that again. He was an amazing guy, I'm going to miss him.
When I was new in my career and would head over to Lighthouse, I always knew that while I would work hard, I would have a lot of fun there because of people like John.
My heart is heavy with your sudden departure and how many lives are impacting by this. I pray for peace for your family. Until we meet again my old friend...
Leave a Tribute
We’d be having a field day of back and forth discussion on what in the world da Bears are doing right now. Oh boy, it’s a doozy this year!
We raised one in your honor again at the end of load-out for WSOS. You’re with me every show I drive your namesake. MAN, you are missed more than you could possibly know!! I could go on and on…
Love you, love you, love you little brother!! Say “hi” and “love you” to Dad for me.
See ya someday! Your big (and yet younger looking ) brother, Slim
It has been so fun reading all the stories and looking at all of the pictures and having great laughs through a really sad time! I met JJ as an Intern at LP. He used to call me Nelly... I kept correcting him saying Kelli and he would say, Nah, you're Nelly New Girl! At the time, I didn't realize that would become one of my many nicknames from him. JJ was everybody's greatest friend in the world, including mine! I have been thinking about how you could work with someone for 12-15 hour days (I believe that is when he received the nickname "EPPY") then "have a few" (I am confident we paid the mortgage at Angies) and start over the next day and never grow tired of one another, that was a great friendship. For the mentoring, the really fun outings, the great bike trips, the countless stories, and the endless laughs, thanks JJ!
When we used to work endless hours, with no sleep for days at a time, clients (mostly, Bob Barnett) would ask us if we had slept and at the same time we would answer..."don't worry, we will get plenty of sleep when we are dead"... although it's way too soon... it is your time to rest easy! Thank you for being my friend...
Beauty
Phyllis here:... You were a big, beautiful man & you lived a big, beautiful life. Your beauty came from the inside out. You saw beauty in all those you met and in your surroundings whereever you travelled. We always looked forward to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band shows because we would get to see the Chicago bunch! We have so many good memories of fun & silliness with you. Curt and Bunior were a force to be reckoned with when together and chanelling Madeline Kahn. You knew how to be real and keep it real. You were sharing a story of a solo trip you took on your Goldwing through the Rockies. You were stopped to repair something and were all alone in the woods hoping you wouldn't be eaten by a bear. I picture you charming the bear with your rendition of "I'm tioowd" in your best Madeline voice. I know our paths will cross again. You are beautiful & I love ya!