Andrewwhyte 1 #1 November 5, 2017 After a long fight with cancer John left us today. Loud, opinionated, direct, John was one of the people who added colour to the dropzone. He will be missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,337 #2 November 5, 2017 I'm so sorry to hear that. I loved reading his thoughts on things. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 137 #3 November 5, 2017 Oh no. He was a great contributor to the forums, and I feel I was lucky to have met him, had a great evening.scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lippy 885 #4 November 5, 2017 Such a nice guy (as long as you didn't piss him off!), an amazing camera flyer and a pretty certifiable badass. So glad to have had the opportunity to have shared a few drinks with this guy and to have had the pleasure of knowing him, Blue Skies John!I got nuthin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grimmie 179 #5 November 5, 2017 Sigh...one of my favorite people on the planet. I spoke with him nearly every day. He did So much for So many. You always knew where you stood with him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quack 0 #6 November 6, 2017 Echoing what Rich said, another one of the great ones gone. I will miss our conversations dearly. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 278 #7 November 6, 2017 Didn't expect that. He was out wasting time on dropzone.com just a couple weeks back! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pbwing 0 #8 November 6, 2017 Sad news about John. My first stop after hearing the news was the local watering hole for a drink of some of his favourite scotch... Rest In Peace John. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MajorDad 0 #9 November 6, 2017 I first met John over 20 years ago and our paths crossed many times over the years. He considered Eden North and SD Arizona home, even though he was from Vernon, British Columbia. He was well known on the national and international stage as a videographer for the Canadian Plaid Jackets (National CF Team) and the Tropical Fish (National FS Team). By the end of his skydiving career he had just under 5000 jumps and 50 hours of FF time. He will be missed by many as one of the true characters of the sport. BSBD, Major Dad CSPA D-579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 278 #10 November 6, 2017 Did he ever get back to the USA in recent years? He had a little issue at the US border some years back, heading down in his camper for the winter, carrying a pile of extra cash for living down there for a few months or something, legal money but not declared, fell out of favour with the border guys. Something like that. (I think he even asked for advice on DZ.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #11 November 6, 2017 I greatly valued his opinions, even when we disagreed. I can only say that about a very few people. He was a shining example of how the value of this online community transcends international "boundaries." Rest easy, Good Sir.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,116 #12 November 7, 2017 He ended up with a standard 5 year time out. After that time he was good again.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,311 #13 November 8, 2017 Hi Andrew, Re: John Smith (Aphid) One of my last messages to him said that I hope we will get the chance to meet one day. C'est la vie. Out of nothing but curiosity; how old was John? Jerry Baumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pbwing 0 #14 November 9, 2017 I believe he was 61 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grimmie 179 #15 November 9, 2017 JerryBaumchenHi Andrew, Re: John Smith (Aphid) One of my last messages to him said that I hope we will get the chance to meet one day. C'est la vie. Out of nothing but curiosity; how old was John? Jerry Baumchen You two would have hit it off tremendously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #16 November 11, 2017 Andrewwhyte After a long fight with cancer John left us today. Loud, opinionated, direct, John was one of the people who added colour to the dropzone. He will be missed. Damn.... RIP John.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justsomeguy 0 #17 November 20, 2017 Ah, the Oban. I remember him riding his motorcycle into the bar at the Bent Prop. Thanks John. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites