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| Sad news on Big John/Snowman | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 11 2008, 11:42 PM (2,079 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Feb 11 2008, 11:42 PM Post #1 |
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Deleted User
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Was just glancing at Hobby Talk a few minutes ago, and saw a stunning thread from Bob 8748 - a good friend to Big John Lothamer. In case Bob doesn't post it here, he stated that John passed away Saturday morning. John made a definite impact on the boards - that much cannot be disputed - and his talents in customizing were on par with the best. I myself shared many conversations in the past with John, the last a couple of weeks ago, and even we had our "struggles". I don't know what happened, but I pray that John's soul is at peace.Regardless of your opinion of him, he was a part of the HT and JL communities. My condolences to Yvette and Paula. |
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| STUTZ | Feb 11 2008, 11:46 PM Post #2 |
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Diecast junkie
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What sad news! John was only in his early 40's. John's family will be in my thoughts and prayers. |
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| camarors | Feb 11 2008, 11:49 PM Post #3 |
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Station Wagon
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I send my condolence to his family and loved ones. |
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| DadsCoronet | Feb 11 2008, 11:56 PM Post #4 |
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DadsCoronet
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As I posted on HT, I spoke with John a couple of times. Even have one of his custom trailers. His sudden passing raises many questions. I, too, hope he is now at peace. |
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| CenterShock | Feb 12 2008, 12:00 AM Post #5 |
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©SwiftysGarage2014
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I just saw that at HT as well. Very sad news.
I just talked to John a few week ago and did not sense any problems. I just saw his last post at HT and now see that there could have been some problems that we did not know about. My condolences go out to his family.
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| jedimario | Feb 12 2008, 12:10 AM Post #6 |
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RAWR
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Still very sudden...I would have never suspected health problems or anything of the sort from that post. My condolences and prayers go out, RIP John. |
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| Deleted User | Feb 12 2008, 01:06 AM Post #7 |
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Deleted User
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"Wow! This is very disturbing, John and I had our differences over a deal gone bad, but after spending countless hours on the phone with him, I almost knew him like kin...Very troubled at times but I knew there was a good heart beneath the rough exterior. Sorry he has passed, may the good lord take him in his embrace and bless his family with strength and assure them they and he will be o.k. You just never know. We must be ready when he calls for us. Jeff Fleetwood" This post appeared on Hobby Talk (I don't believe Jeff is a Garage member yet, though he would be very welcomed here), and I have to say this is one of the classiest posts I have ever seen on that or any other board. Many people are well aware of John's meltdown against Jeff a while back, and for Jeff to write these words is the height of forgiveness. Jeff, I was heartened that you shared this with all of us. John has not had an easy life, and was often a troubled soul. God bless him, and grant him peace. Nick, nice touch posting that logo.
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| Deleted User | Feb 12 2008, 01:56 AM Post #8 |
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Deleted User
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Pewter was thoughtful enough to find a link to John's obituary and condolence book, and posted it elsewhere. I have posted it below: http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituar...51F025377EFF6E4 I last spoke to John maybe two weeks ago and he sounded down...... Squirrel said he just spoke to John a few days ago, and things were looking up. Peace be with you, Big Fella. I am stunned. |
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| roadwarrior | Feb 12 2008, 02:11 AM Post #9 |
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Station Wagon
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Wow very sorry to hear this |
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| Swifty | Feb 12 2008, 04:40 AM Post #10 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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This is very sad news indeed.
I never got a good chance to talk with John- just a few times in the chatroom so I know most of you knew him better than I did. We had our differences but ultimately we worked them out and I was quite proud of him. I was actually just thinking about John at work today and how he hadn't been around here in awhile. Now I know why. It is my sincere hope that John is at peace now. Rest In Peace, bud. |
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| Dragnet_Supporter | Feb 12 2008, 04:27 PM Post #11 |
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SUV
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I didn't know John, except through reading his posts, which sometimes seemed to have a bit of an edge. On the other hand, I only recently discovered what an amazing gift he had for building trailors and doing his other custom work. I feel that such an early passing (41), should be a reminder to all of us in this little community to appreciate life in his absense. And that we should not easily give in to unpleasantness among ourselves, or in our personal lives. If John has a legacy in this circle, I feel his memory, and his gifts, should inspire us for just that. |
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| seveland | Feb 12 2008, 04:35 PM Post #12 |
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Muscle Car Fanatic
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very sad news. I didn't know him well, but knew enough to realize this is a huge loss for the boards. Did he have family? |
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| Dadvball | Feb 12 2008, 05:28 PM Post #13 |
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Dadvball
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This really is a shock. I remember dealing with John when he was making the first of Rich's trailers, and it was gonna be BWF to go with the custom I was making for Rich. I also was fortunate enough to get one of his great trailers. My condelences and prayers to his family and friends. |
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| Deleted User | Feb 12 2008, 07:22 PM Post #14 |
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Deleted User
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John had a fiance, Yvette, who had a young daughter Paula that John thought of as his own. John also had one brother he was close to, and some half-siblings. Dadvball first spoke with John back when John was getting started doing his trailers, and was doing a pair of BWF trailers and BWF Escalade tow vehicles for me. He got in touch with Bill regarding a surprise BWF Grand National Zinger that Bill was doing as a RAOK for me, and John did another favorite casting of mine - the '69 Impala - as another surprise BWF to go on the other trailer. These were some of the first trailers John did on Hobby Talk, and were exhibited at the very first Johnny Jam. One of the trailers and Escalades appears below with the BWF '69 Impala that John did, along with that BWF Zinger Grand National towed by a BWF Zinger Tow Truck, both of which were done by Bill (Dadvball). You can also see that BWF COE and BWF Gremlin done by '32 Deuce, and a '58 Belvedere BWF/PIP done by Stupidsquirrel. All shared a common bond with John; customizing. ![]() John could be quick with words, which the big softy quickly regretted (well, in most cases, anyway ) and I often called him my "Pit Bull" for all the times he rallied to my defense against what now seen as insignificant squabbles. Some folks had a hard time with that temper, and will not feel badly for this loss. So be it. He will, however, be missed by those who saw past his quick-temperedness and saw a good guy behind all of that, and judging by the posts here in the Garage and over at Hobby Talk, there were many of those people. But his work will also be missed, and admired for years to come. Craftsmen and unskilled collectors alike - yours truly, for one - were awed by John's "mastery" with diecast creativity.Besides being so very sad over the loss of one of our own, and the loss of someone I personally spoke with often over the years, I am saddened that we will never get to see the finished "one of a kind" pearl white lightning trailer that John had been working on for so long, with a pearl white lightning Dodge Ram Pickup towing a pearl white lightning MONC 'Cuda, all with matching gold rims. Would have been a spectacular combination, John said. All the pieces were in place, I just wanted him to take his time and get caught up with other people's orders first. A unique "PIP" trailer was also in the wings as well. He wanted to use John Reilly's work as an inspiration to see what he could do with the PIP's himself. I have spoken with Bob Brewer (Bob 8748), one of John's closest friends on the boards and in the hobby, and we would like to do something to help Yvette and Paula out, and will be announcing a few things shortly; after they've had some time to get over this shock. It is our hope that those who knew John will help out, and even those who didn't, may feel a sense of "family" and help out the family of a fellow member none the less. If John thought he wouldn't be missed on the boards, he was wrong. |
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| cocacolacowboy | Feb 12 2008, 07:42 PM Post #15 |
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Owner of CCCDF
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someone for Buddy B to hang with upstairs and talk cars now |
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| James | Feb 12 2008, 08:46 PM Post #16 |
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Mr.Bowtie
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John was the master builder behind those Trailers, Oh I so much enjoyed his work and his talent for getting across what exactly he was saying. (Crystal clear messages) My condolances to his family and friends. 41 is way to young to go to the other side.
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| Deleted User | Feb 12 2008, 09:27 PM Post #17 |
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Deleted User
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"someone for Buddy B to hang with upstairs and talk cars now" I just realized a few minutes ago, while thinking of John, that it's just a year on the nose that we lost Bud; and then I saw you remembered too . |
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| Deleted User | Feb 12 2008, 09:49 PM Post #18 |
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Deleted User
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I just got off the phone with Yvette, Big John's fiance. To anyone who knew John well, she was the world to him. I told her about the sentiments being expressed on these boards for John, and she was touched to hear that. She's going through an awful time right now, as you can imagine, and wants to express her thanks to the many of you she has never known, who are praying for her and Paula, as well as for John. Yvette, if you've never spoken with her, was John's opposite in this world, which is no doubt what he loved her for. She is soft spoken and insightful, and patient beyond measure. She loved John both for who he was, and no doubt sometimes in spite of who he was. We should all hope for a woman like her. She's going through an ordeal right now, but with God's guidance, will get through it. Please keep her and Paula in your prayers. Especially Paula. I expressed to her that many people would be wanting to help her, out of their committment to John himself, or their feelings of fellowship for a fellow board member. I let her know that the members of Hobby Talk, Swifty's Garage, and diecast boards everywhere would be there to do what they can for her and Paula, because I know you people all too well. You come through for one of your own. I told her that when she's had time, we would be there if she needs us. I've spoken with Bob Brewer (Bob8748), John's closest friend on the boards, and we will be relaying any plans that may be agreeable to Yvette, to all of you, at the appropriate times. I've had many conversations with Yvette over the years, and she is an amazing woman. John was a lucky man. |
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| Stangfreak | Feb 13 2008, 12:29 AM Post #19 |
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Convertible
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[size=7] I will sure miss John... He was always wanting me to post more pics of my dioramas on his site, but I could never figure out the posting method until recently... I know he really liked my pics and dioramas, so this one is for John... I hope to see him in Heaven someday and we will have the biggest diecast and trailer collection God has ever seen !!![/size]
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| Swifty | Feb 13 2008, 05:46 AM Post #20 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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As a tribute to Big John, I'm going to ask anyone fortunate enough to have one of his trailers in their collection to post some pictures in this thread. John was very proud of his trailers, and showing off his work seems like a fitting tribute to his memory. |
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| CenterShock | Feb 13 2008, 09:36 AM Post #21 |
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©SwiftysGarage2014
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Here are a couple to start things off that are already in my Photobucket album. The focus of John's trailer was not the main thing in this photo but the trailer is one of Johns. ![]() I will take some pics of the box trailer he made for me. He was very happy with this and he wanted to make a few more of them. I don't know how many he made but I know I was the first (and maybe the only) one to get one of them. This photo is from the Diecast City stories and featured the box trailer... ![]() To go along with my trailers, John modified a Dodge truck to pull them. Here is a pic of the modified truck next to a regular one...
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| Lpgeoteacher | Feb 13 2008, 06:06 PM Post #22 |
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SUV
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John was a good person and a great trailer maker/ custom builder. I'm very sorry for his passing and know that all diecast boards will not be the same with out him. RIP John. I pray for your friends and family to come to grips with this. |
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| Deleted User | Feb 13 2008, 08:37 PM Post #23 |
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Deleted User
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I've noticed a few people on the boards voicing a natural curiosity over the cause of John's sudden passing at such a young age, and would ask that they please allow a little time to pass before that is publicly discussed. Anyone who wishes to also post that on Hobby Talk or any other diecast board should feel welcome to do so; you would be doing the family - and John's friends - a much needed service. Thanks. |
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| cocacolacowboy | Feb 13 2008, 08:47 PM Post #24 |
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Owner of CCCDF
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http://cccdf.net/index.php?showtopic=10089 |
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| Dragnet_Supporter | Feb 13 2008, 10:28 PM Post #25 |
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SUV
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At the risk of changing the subject, though I'm sure John wouldn't mind an uplifting moment here...that is one great Godzilla pic, Chris
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2:17 PM Jul 11
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) and I often called him my "Pit Bull" for all the times he rallied to my defense against what now seen as insignificant squabbles. Some folks had a hard time with that temper, and will not feel badly for this loss. So be it. He will, however, be missed by those who saw past his quick-temperedness and saw a good guy behind all of that, and judging by the posts here in the Garage and over at Hobby Talk, there were many of those people. But his work will also be missed, and admired for years to come. Craftsmen and unskilled collectors alike - yours truly, for one - were awed by John's "mastery" with diecast creativity.



2:17 PM Jul 11