6 entries.
We met Nyoka and Gary on a trip to Scotland sponsored by Vanderbilt University. I enjoyed conversations with Nyoka but had trouble recalling her name. We have many memories from this adventure and a vivid one was while visiting a bagpipe museum Gary volunteered to give a try using a bagpipe. He cuddled it bravely and managed to get his act together while grinning. Little did we know he was an accomplished musician! What a delightful man. We are in touch with Nyoka and have invited her to visit us in Florida. Do you hear me Nyoka???
Beth and Jack Colvin
Beth and Jack Colvin
I learned this weekend that Gary Johnston had passed away. I was very sorry to hear that.
Most readers of this post probably believe Gary's and my relationship consisted only of the exchange of widely divergent views on issues in Facebook.
But that is only part of the truth. Gary and I shared a rich history in high school at Dixie Heights many years ago, when we played together in a dance band, the Cool Colonels. Gary played trombone and I played tenor sax.
The band was quite good, the result of superb leadership from our director, Roger Schueler, and a lot of practice, during school, after school, Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings.
Gary was an extraordinarily gifted musician, as a player, performer, composer, and later director and teacher. A reading of his obituary will quickly bear that out.
He could listen to a piece, such as "In the Mood" on a Glenn Miller record, and write out all the parts for the entire band, five saxes, four trombones, four trumpets, and rhythm, piano, bass and drums. We played a number of those pirated pieces in the many dances we played in the community.
Those were great days, great experiences. I treasure them, and the friendships they occasioned. I treasured that friendship with Gary.
Which is why I feel compelled to write this post.
It is so easy today to view things we see in a one-dimensional way. When the truth is often if not always far more complicated.
I saw Gary a few weeks ago in a restaurant. I went over to his table and said hello to him and his son. A few days later I got an e-mail from him, thanking me for stopping and speaking with them. I replied in an e-mail that despite our divergent views on issues - he the ardent Republican, me the ardent Democrat - we shared a rich history, and should figure out how to celebrate that in our old age. I suggested lunch. He got back shortly saying that was a good idea. But it did not happen. Events seem to have overtaken us. For which I am deeply sorry.
This episode is a strong reminder that things are often far more complicated than they appear. And that we should strive to keep that in mind, and to find ways to celebrate the good even while we are experiencing the painful.
Rest in peace, Gary.
Most readers of this post probably believe Gary's and my relationship consisted only of the exchange of widely divergent views on issues in Facebook.
But that is only part of the truth. Gary and I shared a rich history in high school at Dixie Heights many years ago, when we played together in a dance band, the Cool Colonels. Gary played trombone and I played tenor sax.
The band was quite good, the result of superb leadership from our director, Roger Schueler, and a lot of practice, during school, after school, Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings.
Gary was an extraordinarily gifted musician, as a player, performer, composer, and later director and teacher. A reading of his obituary will quickly bear that out.
He could listen to a piece, such as "In the Mood" on a Glenn Miller record, and write out all the parts for the entire band, five saxes, four trombones, four trumpets, and rhythm, piano, bass and drums. We played a number of those pirated pieces in the many dances we played in the community.
Those were great days, great experiences. I treasure them, and the friendships they occasioned. I treasured that friendship with Gary.
Which is why I feel compelled to write this post.
It is so easy today to view things we see in a one-dimensional way. When the truth is often if not always far more complicated.
I saw Gary a few weeks ago in a restaurant. I went over to his table and said hello to him and his son. A few days later I got an e-mail from him, thanking me for stopping and speaking with them. I replied in an e-mail that despite our divergent views on issues - he the ardent Republican, me the ardent Democrat - we shared a rich history, and should figure out how to celebrate that in our old age. I suggested lunch. He got back shortly saying that was a good idea. But it did not happen. Events seem to have overtaken us. For which I am deeply sorry.
This episode is a strong reminder that things are often far more complicated than they appear. And that we should strive to keep that in mind, and to find ways to celebrate the good even while we are experiencing the painful.
Rest in peace, Gary.
RE: Johnston Family Legacy
Love this! Each line brought to mind a memory of your Dad.
The line about grammar made me remember when I asked for a recommendation letter from him. He asked me to write up a summary of my accomplishments. He gave the letter to your Mom without telling her who wrote it. He asked her what she thought about the writing and character of the person and she said I was an excellent writer.
Why this is important is that first your Dad challenged me to reflect on myself, he shared it with your Mom and then relayed the information to me. He knew how very much I respected your Mom and praise from her on my writing would mean the world to me.
He wrote my letter of recommendation and because I am a packrat๐. I am certain I still have it and was able to receive a scholarship to travel to France for a study abroad.
Love this! Each line brought to mind a memory of your Dad.
The line about grammar made me remember when I asked for a recommendation letter from him. He asked me to write up a summary of my accomplishments. He gave the letter to your Mom without telling her who wrote it. He asked her what she thought about the writing and character of the person and she said I was an excellent writer.
Why this is important is that first your Dad challenged me to reflect on myself, he shared it with your Mom and then relayed the information to me. He knew how very much I respected your Mom and praise from her on my writing would mean the world to me.
He wrote my letter of recommendation and because I am a packrat๐. I am certain I still have it and was able to receive a scholarship to travel to France for a study abroad.
Gary will be miss. I talked to him for about 10 years, both on D-Star and the Ky Phone Net. I love seeing him at ham fest. He had been an EMT, and I me retired Cop of 42years, active Captain Morehead Fire Dept. Also EMT since 1974. Prayers for all his friends and family. Hope to hear some of his family on the Kentucky Phone Net. de KM4GOQ Gary Lee Lanham # 317.
Gary Johnston was my private trombone instructor and jazz band director at NKU. I also took orchestration, marching band and conducting and other classes from Gary. His jazz band parties were the best!!! He has been a mentor, friend and supporter.
Gary always had confidence in me as his student and blessed me opportunities to use the skills and knowledge he taught me ; arranging for the jazz band or judging at a band contest. Gary introduced me to computers and was very instrumental in my abilities to use a computer and integrate them into my instruction as a band director. Later, I used many of those skills as the Director of Technology at Walton -Verona Schools. a position I held for 19 years until my retirement. I always felt like in some ways I followed in his footsteps as he migrated from music to technology at NKU.
I cannot count the ways he had an impact in my life and even though I was able to share some of my gratitude I wish I had taken the time to tell him more of how he impacted my life. I do not consider more than five people to have the most positive impact on life. Gary was definitely one of them and I will miss seeing him at trombone and other music events.
Gary always had confidence in me as his student and blessed me opportunities to use the skills and knowledge he taught me ; arranging for the jazz band or judging at a band contest. Gary introduced me to computers and was very instrumental in my abilities to use a computer and integrate them into my instruction as a band director. Later, I used many of those skills as the Director of Technology at Walton -Verona Schools. a position I held for 19 years until my retirement. I always felt like in some ways I followed in his footsteps as he migrated from music to technology at NKU.
I cannot count the ways he had an impact in my life and even though I was able to share some of my gratitude I wish I had taken the time to tell him more of how he impacted my life. I do not consider more than five people to have the most positive impact on life. Gary was definitely one of them and I will miss seeing him at trombone and other music events.
As I speak for so many of us, Gary had a profound impact on our lives! Whether it be musicians, pilots, computers or ham radio enthusiasts, Gary was a master of each of his passions and he moved others to be passionate too!
There was one special moment that Gary and I talked about almost every time we made music together. It was the day I fell off the risers on the auditorium stage at NKU with their brand new bass trombone. This happened because I ALWAYS leaned back in my chair on stage and that day, leaned back just a little too far and fell off the 3 foot high stage with their new bass bone in hand. The horn had sever damage and I was of course, extremely apprehensive about approaching Gary and showing him the horn. His first words out of his mouth were "Are you OK"? After assuring him I was but that I felt so bad about damaging NKU's expensive new horn, he looked at me and said "An instrument can be repaired or replaced but there is only one Frank Schmitt". Most professors would have been terribly irate but Gary, always possessing his calm demeanor, remained calm and just shared that this was the hard way to learn a lesson ~ never lean back in a chair while performing. Then we both had a good laugh over it, the horn was repaired and life moved forward ๐ Can't share with you how many times since that day way back in 1978, this subject came up as we performed together. It was something neither one of us would forget but it got to be just a hooter of a story that was never forgotten ๐
This example just portrayed the CLASS ACT & CARING INDIVIDUAL that Gary was, and still is! There is no doubt that he is playing in Gabrielle's Big Band in heaven and of course, from time to time, directing it ~ bringing out the very best that each musician possesses ๐
Gary, thank YOU for so many things that would literally be a novel if I stated them in this memorial. You will be missed my friend but please tell Gabrielle that there is a character of a bass bone player left behind on Earth that is waiting to make music in his orchestra ๐ Peace be with you my dear friend.
There was one special moment that Gary and I talked about almost every time we made music together. It was the day I fell off the risers on the auditorium stage at NKU with their brand new bass trombone. This happened because I ALWAYS leaned back in my chair on stage and that day, leaned back just a little too far and fell off the 3 foot high stage with their new bass bone in hand. The horn had sever damage and I was of course, extremely apprehensive about approaching Gary and showing him the horn. His first words out of his mouth were "Are you OK"? After assuring him I was but that I felt so bad about damaging NKU's expensive new horn, he looked at me and said "An instrument can be repaired or replaced but there is only one Frank Schmitt". Most professors would have been terribly irate but Gary, always possessing his calm demeanor, remained calm and just shared that this was the hard way to learn a lesson ~ never lean back in a chair while performing. Then we both had a good laugh over it, the horn was repaired and life moved forward ๐ Can't share with you how many times since that day way back in 1978, this subject came up as we performed together. It was something neither one of us would forget but it got to be just a hooter of a story that was never forgotten ๐
This example just portrayed the CLASS ACT & CARING INDIVIDUAL that Gary was, and still is! There is no doubt that he is playing in Gabrielle's Big Band in heaven and of course, from time to time, directing it ~ bringing out the very best that each musician possesses ๐
Gary, thank YOU for so many things that would literally be a novel if I stated them in this memorial. You will be missed my friend but please tell Gabrielle that there is a character of a bass bone player left behind on Earth that is waiting to make music in his orchestra ๐ Peace be with you my dear friend.