I never met John in person, but I remember his tenure at AmSpac (I distinctly remember thinking "Wow! New magazine, in COLOR, and what a layout! I need to keep buying these!" - I bought copies at the local hobby shop, didn't realize I could get them "free" with an NAR membership. The joys of a "living in a Midwest swamp town" lifestyle, I guess).
Flash forward a few years, and I re-discovered John, this time due to his Interceptor body wraps. I have several that grace various models, and loved his unique creativity in the styles he produced and shared with the rest of us.
While I never met him "in person", I feel like I met him --- we exchanged emails from time to time about tips and techniques, and we shared a love of the Aurora model "Ragnarok" - so it was a delight when he offered a wrap set for it. For those who remember this plastic kit, there was an "interceptor" craft it carried (where the actual model rocket keeps its motor mount)...I was (am) working on a "display only" version of the interceptor craft for use in the motor mount when the rocket is on static display. John's last note to me was for me to promise to share my completed efforts with him - even a little thing like this got him excited. After this sad news, I know whose name will be labeled on the side of the vehicle as the pilot - "Pursley".
My sincerest condolences and sympathies to John's family. While our hobby lost one of its brightest stars, they lost husband, son, father, uncle...so whatever your beliefs, I think we all wish John the best in the next great adventure.