"My Brother, I love you and miss you so very much!!! I am having such a hard time with this. We just got started I had so many years to be more of a sister to you. You were the best father to your kids, you were a wonderful son, brother and friend . You never gave up on me John and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for really believing in me that I would get it one day, and I did!!! Thank you. You have always been there for me John and when we were little it was just us and as I look back all those years ago and I look at our pictures together you always had your arm around me as though you were protecting me, I thank you. My life will never be the same John a huge part of me went with you that day, I will never forget you my Big Brother and I will miss you so much. I will miss you walking into mom and dads kitchen Moving your head back and saying Hey Whats up Laura and giving me one of those one arm hugs. I love you John say Hi to Dad for me. Until we meet again... Love your little sister Laura"
In loving memory of
John Allen Wilson
June 19, 1962 - January 1, 2012
John Allen Wilson was born June 19, 1962 in Glendale, California to Linda and David Wilson. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, January 1st, 2012 at his home in Canyon Country, California at the age of 49. He was a Veteran of The United States Navy, and he was very proud of his service. In addition to his job as a paramedic, John served as a volunteer for the Ventura County Sheriff's Search & Rescue Air Unit and the Fillmore Fire Department. He was also a California State Fire Instructor & a Paramedic Field Training Supervisor for AMR. John loved scuba diving and just being on an Island - especially Hawaii. He also enjoyed his career and teaching CPR. Most of all, however, he loved his family and spending time with them.John is survived by his 2 children, Brittany, 15 years old, and Spencer 10 years old; mother, Linda; step-father, Stuart; and sisters, Laura and Jennifer. Along with the family he loved so dearly, there are too many to be named that cherished and loved him with no limits. Viewing will take place from 5-8pm on Friday, January 13, 2012 at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 E. Philadelphia St, Whittier, CA 90601. Viewing will begin at 11am until 11:30am the following morning, Saturday, January 14, 2012 also at White Emerson Mortuary. A Funeral Service will begin at 12pm at the mortuary, followed by a committal service at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA (562-699-0921). In the words of John- 'Life is too short, live strong. Repair those broken relationships that you may have damaged. NEVER GIVE UP ON FAMILY!'
Tributes
"My Sweet John I will miss you more than you will ever know . You were my nephew,my friend,my support system and my rock. I will always be thankful for the time we shared . You were always there for me. You saved so many lives and taught so many others to save lives your spirit will continue to be with us . I will miss your laugh and beautiful smile. You have left a huge hole in my heart that can never be filled so..till we meet again I love you ,Aunt Chris"
"John, words cannot express the heartache I feel of your passing. I have such great memories of our childhood. The memories we created will be forever be in my heart. You were so much fun. As I look back and remembered how you used to have the heartiest, fun loving laugh I have ever encountered. I only wished I would have seen you on Christmas day. That my friend will be a great regret of mine. Listening to so many friends of yours speak was not a suprise of how highly you were thought of, as well as hearing your pastor speak at your services was a great relief for me. He assured me/us that you had accepted Christ into your heart, therefore my sweetie we will meet again one day. All my Love, Jackie"
"just an F.Y.I, for those of you who havent signed the guest book in the ventura county star... please do so ASAP. his obituary will only be ran until feb 9th, ...we need you to sign that one, even though you have signed this one on WhiteEmerson.com, because from the ventura county star paper, we are having a memorial book printed from that.... so we would really appreciate it!!!... thank you!!thank you so much... all you need to do is copy and paste your message and or pics you have included in your posting.thank you again!"
"John, I had so much fun working with you in California with Eddie and Leo and I was so sad to hear of your passing. My deepest condolences to your family and may you rest in peace....."
"John I will miss you, your smile, your laughter, and that dry humor that you and Katie always had going with each other. As I think back over the past sixteen years, you touched so many lives. You made me a grandfather for the first time, and the second time. Brittany and Spencer were truly high points in our lives. John your career in the emergency field as a paramedic, a mentor, and a teacher touched more than a few people. In fact there a many people in this community today who are alive today because of your life saving skills. As I read over other tributes there are many others who have a job and a career because of your teachings. John thanks for coming over on Christmas Eve and bringing Spencer. We all had a great time and those memories will last forever. Whether its 49 years or 90 years, our time on this earth is very short, thanks for being a great son-in-law, a father to my grandchildren and a friend. God has a plan for all of us and we will meet again one day without any worries, till we meet again...Jon"
"John always had a huge smile for everyone and Jim Eads said it all when he said that you could not be mad at John when he did something that he should not have done because hed just smile that incorrigible John smile, knowing that hed be able to talk his way out of whatever was coming his way. When he was going through a rough time, I dragged him to a Lakers game (at the Forum, thats how long ago it was). He insisted on driving and we were lost going there and then trying to find the freeway afterwards. After seeing us driving around the same streets for the better part of an hour, and us arguing about which way we should go next, a police unit finally pulled us over. He came over to Johns window and I said, Oh, thank God, can you tell us how to get to the freeway? - John just smiled at him and said, Dont worry Officer, Im a skilled paramedic and this is my pyschiatric patient and we are just working on her fear of being lost. They had a good laugh at my expense.When I heard that John had died, I was overcome with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and loss, and even though its been years since I last saw John, I feel like Ive lost a very dear friend. I think most people who knew or worked with John probably felt the same way. I hope Johns children and family know just how MUCH he meant to so many people and how very much their dad touched all of our lives in such a positive way. I can only hope that John realized this too..."
"John; back in the day, eh? Just kids, growing up in the hills of Whittier...we shared a lot of great times, always joking around, living life like we owned it all....who knew how our lives would go separate ways, how wed live through so many different experiences...back then we were just brothers in a big family of families up on top of Hadley. I wish that I had got to spend a little time with you these days, John, to share a little about life, to laugh and to once again bs about how we really are the ones that know what life is about. The world will miss you, my friend and brother....thank you for your legacy, your contribution and all those that were fortunate to have shared time with you!"
"There is enormous sadness in my heart as I write this. I knew John from Ventura County Search & Rescue, where he was our EMS instructor for more than a few years. John was responsible for guiding many from our team through the material necessary to pass the State requirements for EMT. To say our classes were atypical would be to miss the point entirely. I dont think a more disparate group of EMS students had existed before or since.And yet John handled the class with ease. He taught not only the theoretical knowledge necessary to be effective to help somebody in a dire sense of need, but he taught the real world application of skills as well. We left the class confident in our abilities to help, to improvise if necessary, and to be effective regardless of the situation. He taught from a background of experience. You knew that he had been there and done that. You had the sense that John loved helping people, whether it was him in the field doing the work or helping others that were about to go into the field to do the work.The ultimate mark of a leader is that he inspires others to do as they did. I know John was responsible for the beginning of many EMS careers. May you rest in peace. You were an inspiration. I am better for having known you."
"I can truly say this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to write. I have lost friends, co-workers and loved ones along the way and yet I cant seem to get my hands and head around this. Perhaps it is because just like Don Pruner (of Pruner Ambulance where I met John), John Wilson was bigger then life. When John walked into a room he filled the door way, and not just with his physical size but with charisma, spirit and smile. You always knew where you stood with John. He never sugar coated anything with me, even though I was his supervisor for several years. Those were good years...Vintage Wilson. I could NEVER get mad at him for any of the pranks I learned of...because that was John and I knew John did stuff not in a malicious way but generally a benevolent way for patients and fellow crews. I can see and hear in my minds eye John sauntering over to me, in that John Wilson swagger, and put his arm around me and say Hey you sexy devil.... and then the real conversation would start! If it was a rough topic his soft spoken intro with his arm over my shoulder, smiling down at me broke the ice and life would go on a little easier. John was a mans man. When I met him I always thought he was too good looking for EMS and should have been a TV idol. Although I hadnt seen John in a number of years, I often thought about him. I just wish I could have been there to help him as he helped so many others. All the long nights, emergency calls, and the bad side of EMS is behind him now. He is at rest, in Gods hands and in our hearts and minds forever. Rest in peace my brother. Jim"
"John,You were one of the good guys, I had, WE HAD, the team at EAST Valley, the best times doimg emt cert and re-cert. For an instructor to get and keep the attention of 35 alpha males in a class room was a feat.Johns Family, Im so sorry for your loss, John was one of the good guys. He really was..............................."
"My thoughts and prayers are with Johns kids and his family. I remember what a kind person he was; a good neighbor. My daughter enjoyed talking to him about fire fighting. Good and happy memories of John will help get everyone through the tough times. Cherish those memories. "
"My Dearest Brother....I miss you so very much! My life will never be the same without you. I will miss your smile and laughter....I will miss your face walking through mom and dads door, especially holidays! Im so sorry that my children, especially my youngest, will never get to know you the way I did! You were a blessing to all of us....I wanted to be able to grow old with ya...so until we meet again, you will always have a huge piece of my heart and memories...LOVE U!....Love, your little sis, Jennifer."
"So many lives touched, in so many ways ~ Your impact on each one is sure ~ Your impact on the world is true ~ The very magnitude, simply Immeasurable ~You will be missed dearly, John ! Be at Peace.Let us all keep his spirit alive in our hearts, and memories filled with the glint in his eye and his mischievous laugh !!Sincere condolences to the entire family, may they be in our thoughts and prayers ~ Bry~"
"John-thank you for all your help over the years & thank you for helping me get my job at AMR. I will most remember your infectious laugh & sense of humor. You will be missed greatly; I hope you have found peace. Just remember you will always be in our hearts & have touched the lives of so many. I am greatful for the opportunity to have known & worked with you. R.I.P John"
"Youll be missed John...It was a pleasure knowing you. You will be missed. My sincere condolences to the familyMark Falconer"
"Im so sorry to hear of Johns death. I have good memories of Johns dedicated work for our county EMS system. His sense of humor made many a meeting more bearable. Rest in peace, John."
"I wish i could have said good-bye to you on Christmas before you left. I will always regret that. I miss you more than words can describe. I have paid tribute to you by writing your obituary and submitting it in the Ventura Stars newspaper. Im also working on your eulogy for your friend/minister mark, for your services. I know you said that you would walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, i know that you will still be there by my side. I love you Uncle John... "
"John, enjoyed working with you back in the Courtesy days. You will be missed. Bless you and your family."