John was a top drawer CW operator and excellent contest and Dx operator. I knew him for over 40 years (as K5RFJ, then W4LUH, then W4XJ). John was always ready to help and always took the time to ragchew no matter how busy he was. He passed away of a heart Attack on May 2, 2003 and his brother says a memorial is planned for July in Knoxville, TN.
Dave K4JRB Ex K5MDX
I am going to miss John. I very much enjoyed chewing the rag with him on CW. His QTH must have been something to behold. He was always very loud in to Europe based on our comparisons. RIP John.
John was my elmer. He gave me my novice code and theory test in the mid 1980's.
John was a good friend of my dad, W4UWC. John was "the absent minded professor". I can still remember running into him when I was at the Univ of Tennessee when John was teaching his ornamental horticulture class. He greeted me like an old friend as opposed to just another student.
He had his own quirks which everyone had to work around. I respected his personality and his operating ability. It is a shame tha the hobby lost a character like John. He will be sorely missed both in the CW and SSB world.
RIP W4XJ...
73's,
K4UWC (Marshall)
I have been an amateur radio operator for over 40 years. Last spring I had the privilege of applying for and receiving John's 1X2 callsign. As I prepared the application, I tried to find out a little about the man who owned the callsign before I did. I feel very honored to "follow in his footsteps" so to speak and hope to continue the reputation that W4XJ had with his operating skills and demeanor.
Any information others might provide me about John would be greatly appreciated.
Randy Sly W4XJ