John was killed during an auto accident while in his junior/senior year of college. Also sadly, his best friend Greg Houk (class of KHS '79) was killed in the same accident. John was home from college at the time of the accident. He was attending Sam Houston State University.
John will always have a special place in my heart. John and I dated about 2 1/2 years. We started dating in March of our senior year at Klein (I have to admit I had always wondered who?? was?? that absolutely cute all-american looking boy with the brownish/blond hair). We went to prom together -had a fantastic time- in fact we stopped by Debbie Dick Alden's now infamous after-prom party..per the picture section somewhere on the reunion website). We continued dating during our first two years of college (I was attending Texas A&M and John was attending Sam Houston State), then stopped dating each other during the summer between our sophomore and junior years. Although we talked on a couple of occasions, I hadn't seen John for over a year when I was called and told about the accident. I was incredibly shocked, saddened, and frankly angry too. I think John was just beginning to understand what his life, family and career dreams might be when he so suddenly died. At the time of his death he was dating a really nice girl who was also attending SHSU. And he had recently become a member of the SHSU student representatives. In fact, I believe Sam Houston State University later set up a memorial scholarship in his name. John was an absolutely wonderful guy...very genuine, fun-loving and just a really special person. I'd like to end on an upbeat note. As for a fun memory. First, John loved to laugh..and he had a great laugh. Okay, this is more of an offbeat silly funny memory to share... but here goes >> if I recall correctly during high school there was a Bread greatest hits album that was really popular. One of the songs was about...'finding a diary' [note:stop reading here if this is your favorite high school song or something and you don't want that song.. kind of ruined.. for you]. Okay, for those who've decided to continue reading: while listening to that song..on the radio I think..John told me the story that: his Mom didn't understand how they could write a song at all about 'finding diarrhea' anywhere??!!??##?? He said he could hardly keep it together as he tried to explain to his Mom where she had the lyrics wrong. << So even today whenever I hear that song - which is not too often - I do have!! to smile and chuckle a bit. Isn't it just the darndest thing some of the memories that get stuck in your head?? Lee Anne Brown
John and I knew each other well. He was glued at the hip with Greg Houck and I remember well some of their antics in high school -particularly during swimming. They gave me a nickname my senior year that stuck for many years to come - some of my college buddies may remember it to this day. But I was very lucky in that I got to know John even better when he dated LeeAnne Brown, who was my roommate at Texas A&M my first two years of college. In spite of his good looks, he was one of the nicest guys I knew and I was deeply saddened when he and Greg had their accident. They are both two great guys whom I will always remember fondly and whom I will always miss. Debbie (Dick) Alden
The memory of your smiling eyes will forever warm my heart, Johnny. Rest in peace. Lynn Fox Utter
