From Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth, Texas:

John loved animals as much as he cared about people. One of his special friends in the Star-Telegram newsroom was Bates, my Seeing Eye dog.
Bates is a beautiful and somewhat spoiled red Golden retriever.
John used to tease me about spoiling Bates, and I told him that I had nothing to do with it.

John’s nickname for Bates was “the red rug” because he would often plop down near his desk. If people were passing by, they would have to gingerly step over Bates.
John loved organizing lunch gatherings, and he insisted that I bring Bates so that we would get the best table in the restaurant.

John was also a neat freak, and when he gave me rides, he would call to tell me that he spent hours vacuuming his car.
“I have enough dog hair for a coat,” he was fond of saying.

When I told John I would bring an old sheet or towel, he always told me not to worry about it.

I also remember the time when Bates snatched a sandwich off of John’s desk. I heard about it from another friend.
When I asked JGM about it he admitted to not telling me because he didn’t want my dog to get in trouble.

I will always have fond memories of John,and I am glad he was such a good friend to me and Bates. We miss him.