John was one of the sweetest men I ever met. He was deeply emotional and sensitive and always put his whole heart into whatever he was doing. One of my fondest memories of John was the closing night of "Mary Poppins" when, as I was about to leave, I turned to see him standing at the cast gate crying. We hugged each other and cried together, wishing that "the wind never had to change". Theater, we both realized, was more like a miniature "life". It is all too brief and, no matter how much we'd like it to go on forever, we have to enjoy it while it lasts and move on. There is no way to ever replicate a theatrical experience. Each one is unique and precious and can never be assembled again and done over. Each "ending" of a play makes us remember that we will all exit the stage of life one day. I know that's one of the reasons we were crying. We both understood that.
I am so sorry that John & I lost touch since the 1980's. I've often wondered where he went and how he was getting along and I wish I had known he was ill. I would have made every effort to come and see him if I'd known he still lived in the area. I, too, battled cancer in the 1990's and would have liked to have been able to encourage him with my story of God's merciful deliverance.
I'll miss his gentle, kind and humorous spirit. The J.U. stage was certainly graced by his funny, talented and energetic presence and I, for one, will never forget him.
With love and kindest regards,
Dee Ann "Mary Poppins" Toms
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