Johnny and his sister, Amy, moved to Raleigh from Nashville, Tenn. during our sophomore year as I recall. They lived in Chestnut Hills and rode my school bus (that I drove! but that's another story) for a brief time until he got a car. I immediately liked them. Johnny was very polite, well dressed and fairly quiet as you might expect a high school student changing schools in mid-year. Johnny's Triumph Spitfire, British Racing Green, really impressed me. We hung out and were becoming good friends. We were both interested in cars and racing. In our senior year near graduation we were planning on going to Virgina International Raceway near Danville. Instead of going to the race, I went to his funeral. He had been out on Leesville Road after school and ended up wrapped around a tree with the Spitfire. His family asked me to be a pall bearer. It was very sad, of course, but I felt very honored to oblige. His parents were devasted as was Amy and all his friends. I recall going to the junkyard where his car was taken, and I took the impressive, chromed-plated fuel cap off and kept it for many years. I wish I still had it.
Nor did I, but thanks to you I now know John Blaser. It's such a precious memory to have of a good friend and your sentiment regarding the gas car is heartfelt. Thankx.
After reading the tributes I was reminded of Johnny and how in home room he was always so nice. No pretense at all---just a good young man with a lot of quiet confidence. I was glad to find out more about him through his friends.
Johnny had a sparkling green MG, and as soon as I got my white Triumph Spitfire to run reasonably well, we enjoyed tooling around the quiet back roads near Raleigh together.
After his crash, a spin doen the country roads with the top down was never the same again for me.
Frank J. Urben (Urben)
Johnny and his sister, Amy, moved to Raleigh from Nashville, Tenn. during our sophomore year as I recall. They lived in Chestnut Hills and rode my school bus (that I drove! but that's another story) for a brief time until he got a car. I immediately liked them. Johnny was very polite, well dressed and fairly quiet as you might expect a high school student changing schools in mid-year. Johnny's Triumph Spitfire, British Racing Green, really impressed me. We hung out and were becoming good friends. We were both interested in cars and racing. In our senior year near graduation we were planning on going to Virgina International Raceway near Danville. Instead of going to the race, I went to his funeral. He had been out on Leesville Road after school and ended up wrapped around a tree with the Spitfire. His family asked me to be a pall bearer. It was very sad, of course, but I felt very honored to oblige. His parents were devasted as was Amy and all his friends. I recall going to the junkyard where his car was taken, and I took the impressive, chromed-plated fuel cap off and kept it for many years. I wish I still had it.
Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Diggett (Bolan)
I didn't know John, but that was a very sweet memory Frank. You are a good friend to remember him this way.
Beth (Diggett) Bolan
Ella Marilyn Williams (Williams)
Nor did I, but thanks to you I now know John Blaser. It's such a precious memory to have of a good friend and your sentiment regarding the gas car is heartfelt. Thankx.
E. Marilyn Williams
Melinda (Mindi) Ingram (Lucas)
After reading the tributes I was reminded of Johnny and how in home room he was always so nice. No pretense at all---just a good young man with a lot of quiet confidence. I was glad to find out more about him through his friends.
Paul A. Martin
Johnny had a sparkling green MG, and as soon as I got my white Triumph Spitfire to run reasonably well, we enjoyed tooling around the quiet back roads near Raleigh together.
After his crash, a spin doen the country roads with the top down was never the same again for me.