Desde San Antonio, Remembering John

From Scott Huddleston, staff writer, San Antonio Express-News --

John had an infectious smile. His smile would make us smile. I used to like to say things to make him laugh, and it was pretty easy because he smiled and laughed a lot. He left a huge wake behind him through the lives he touched. I'm glad that there will be a celebration of his life. That's as it should be.

One year, in 1989, he struck up the idea of performing in the media's gridiron show in San Antonio. I had thought, "Man, I don't want to be in a dumb show." But John and I were buddies, so I went with him to the cast call. Well, soon after that he had to pull out of the show because he'd gotten a job in Delaware, of all places. And as he's gone from city to city for the past 18 years, I've stayed in San Antonio. And guess what? I'm still in the freakin' gridiron show, which this year is Nov. 3 at the Guadalupe Theatre. John, we'll drink an extra cold one for you at the cast party!

John had a certain wisdom, an inner restless peace, that allowed him to tap into all kinds of cultures. He and Macarena were among the few pillars of stability when we needed them here right after 9-11, writing stories about the fear, bigotry, insentivity and paranoia that had taken over. John's last story before the attack on Sept. 11, 2001 was about the diverse chaplain program at Lackland AFB that meets the needs of all major religions. That might have been a good primer for what was about to occur.

Going back to those early days, in 1989 when we were cub reporters -- John was my age -- he had this wild story about aliens in Alamo Heights, an upscale suburb near downtown. Not undocumented aliens. I'm talking about "alienlike beings" like from another planet! Someone had painted some figures on the streets, and the suburban police had no idea where they came from. I think Roddy Stinson milked that story for a couple of columns.

John! That was one crazy-ass story, bro! I made you laugh again, didn't I? Peace, Scott