Today, from 1pm to 3pm, people are meeting at St. Luke’s in Dixon, IL to celebrate the life of John L. Walker (jwinIL14 as he was known here at Daily Kos). John had had a major surgery for lung cancer from which he had difficulty recovering. On Oct. 28, he suffered a heart attack and left us. He was only 60. His son, Jason Walker wrote:
John had a heart of gold, a thumb as green as they come, and was a treasure to those close to him in his local and online communities. He hosted a self-managed annual plant sale, served as a local election judge, and participated in many community-organized events.
John was a regular in the Pootie diaries and other community diaries here. He always had the perfect picture, the perfect meme, the most groan-able pun to make people laugh. John lifted spirits wherever he went. He wouldn’t want people to have long faces at his funeral — that is a given. So let this thread be a place for those of us who can’t be in Dixon today to remember him with fondness, some light- hearted stories, and also to leave notes of condolence for his children.
In lieu of flowers, consider leaving contributions in John’s memory to your local animal shelter or to a community garden. He very much loved animals and gardens.
If you would like to help his children with his final expenses, there is a PayPal Pool here.
UPDATE
John’s daughter sent these photos and asked that they be shared with the community that was so important to him, with thanks for all your kindness to the family.