Memories of John Winterbower

by Alexis Smith

I would just like to share with you guys a little about carter seeings how majority of you dont know much about him….he is the most amazing little boy he wrestles he rides four wheelers he loves music and of course a wii professional he is a mastermind at getting out of trouble even if it means pinning it on his brother hunter i know its not fair for that little boy to grow up without a dad but i do know in our household we do the very best we can to keep carter well educated on his father there are many that we expected to stay in contact and for those that did we thank you for helping us show carter what john was all about and for those that do not your really missing out on an amazing kid

From Judy Eggemeyer

Happy Happy Birthday John  Luv ya, and miss you very much. Mom, Jesse, Josh, & Adam

From Carl

Happy birthday John.

from Jill Davidson

Happy Birthday John. I miss you and think of you often.You hold a special place in my heart, love you.

by Judy Eggemeyer

I have an especially fond memory that I would like to share about the last New Year’s Eve I got to spend with John and his family.
This particular year rather then going to my mother’s home first, I told John I was going to come to his house and see his family first. And oh, how thankful I am that I chose to do it this way. John was ready and waiting when I got to his house to fix me a steak(however I wanted it), and all the fixins. He also poured me a glass of wine, and just sat and visited with me. He was occassionally tending to Carter or chasing Carter around, as one would expect with a toddler on the loose, lol. Eventually quite a few more people showed up, as it was a New Year’s Eve get together, and there probably was a pretty good chance that John might have preferred to hang out with his friends, who were probably having more of his type of New Year’s fun in the basement. But, John stayed focused on visiting with me, and somewhat watching the group of younger children upstairs(mainly Carter), as the other young adults who came were gathering in the basement to hang out, celebrate the New Year, etc. Anyway, it was just a really special time for me with John(as a son and a father to Carter), and I don’t see how I could ever forget it. I did see John several times after this, but I never had the same pleasure again, of his almost undivided attention, that I did on that particular New Year’s Eve. It was almost like it was such a meant to be occassion, leaving me with a wonderful impression of the mature young man and father that John had become. It was still John’s giving nature in action, but just a very different side of him, then I had ever quite experienced, as his mother. Definitely is a priceless memory, and I can stil remember the steak being about as perfect as they come, and I am sure the fact that John cooked it specifically for me, probably played a bit of a part in that perfection, lol.
Love you always John, and will forever miss hearing that deep voice and that special laugh you had, that was only yours. I do believe we will one day be joined together again, and oh, what a day of rejoicing that will be.

by Carl Winterbower

Hello everyone.

Three years ago today touched everyone’s life in some way that visits this site today.

I would like to invite everyone to just take a minute and post something that they experienced with John that no one else did, and I don’t mean super deep personal moments.  Just a quick little incident that lets everyone else see a piece of John they may have not gotten to see whether it be good or bad, deep or humorous, I think everyone coming would appreciate some sort of glimpse at what John was today.

I’ll start.

I went and visited John shortly after my college sophomore summer break started, and was driving a car that I had just purchased, a black Bonneville (to me it was awesome!, to everyone else is was something they would have seen their Grandma in).  Anyway, I picked john up and we were headed to play a quick round of frisbee golf.  He had some mini cigar’s so reluctantly I lit one up with him, anyone that knows me and new cars knows how extremely anal-retentive I can be with them.  Anyway, this hip hop song comes on (don’t remember which one it was), and he started jamming out.  Of course he had a lit cigar in his hand and while he was in the midst of one of his numerous fist pumps jabbed it right into my roof liner, burning a giant hole in it.  ”O my God, I am soo stupid!” he exclaimed.  Normally I would have been upset, but because it was John and because he was soo sorry, I actually felt bad for him.   It didn’t bother me at all after that. He was always a bit clumsy but so sincere, thus the reason I decided to share this story.

by Aaron Griggs

10-7

Hey John,
I miss you my friend. Heather and I just recently lost our baby girl Haley Joy Griggs. It has been hard the last couple of months but I find comfort in knowing that you are there to look after her. Please give Haley a hug and tell her it’s from her daddy.

Thanks John

by Jill Davidson

Time travels rapidly,it’s hard to believe today is Carter’s 6th birthday. It hurts my heart that John isn’t here to celebrate another birthday with his son. John was so proud of Carter,it was obvious when you saw them together. Happy Birthday Carter!

In our thoughts like a distant dream,

that lingers in the brain.

More difficult to distinguish the memories,

but the dream remains the same.

Even though the years keep moving on,

and slowly soothe the pain.

It’s so different when you’re gone,

but the dream remains the same.

You left so much, though your time was brief,

I’m so thankful for each day.

That I spent with you in the memories,

The dream remains the same.