[Shotimes] Passing of John Weidenbenner

[Ron Porter]

Thanks for the info, Paul.

I had met John at Conventions back in the '90s (most likely SHOcago). We
stayed in touch, met at a SHOcago event back then, and met at Conventions
along the way, along with him joining our Caravan to Tulsa. As well as doing
a few parts deals.

It was good to see him at Indy this past summer. It was tough, as I had not
seen him since his medical issues, and he didn't look the same (I didn't
recognize him). It was good to talk to him and see him again.

It was also too bad that "Blackie" got wrecked. It was probably one of the
cleanest SHOs (besides yours!!) out there, especially being a black '93.

Ron Porter

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Paul & Rosetta Thomas
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 12:45 AM
To: SHOTimes-Mailing List
Subject: [Shotimes] Passing of John Weidenbenner

It is with great personal sadness that I inform the SHO community of the the
passing of John Wiedenbenner of the St. Louis, Missouri area.  John was a
great friend to the SHO world and before he became ill with lung cancer 3
years ago posted often to the SHOTIMES list and the other SHO web groups
(could someone please forward this to the others?).  As an engineer, John
had a great appreciation for the SHO and was always willing to help others
with problems with their cars.  John's black '93 SHO was always in
immaculate condition and he designed and built some nice mods for his car.
Many of you will remember his car won Best 2nd Generation SHO at the Tulsa
Convention.  Another unique distinction of "Blackie", as I called it, were
the black Ford ovals and 24V emblems.

John and his wife Betty attended SHO conventions regularly except the one in
San Francisco when he was dealing with the rigors of chemotherapy.  I firmly
believe John willed himself to stay alive last year so he could attend his
last convention at Indianapolis.  He wanted to see folks that he had known
as friends one last time before he passed away.

Rosetta and I first met John and Betty at the SHOcago convention, our car's
were exactly alike except for color.  It has been my privilege to call John
Weidenbenner my good friend for all these years.  We have visited in each
other's homes, vacationed together and attended conventions together. We
would have never known John & Betty if we hadn't owned a SHO.  Theirs and
other friendships is what has made the SHO the best car we have ever owned.

I'll try to post more details about funeral arrangements when I know them.
I do know that John will be laid to rest in a National Cemetary in the St.
Louis area.  John was a Viet Nam veteran and in reality it was probably his
service to our country and exposure to Agent Orange that caused him to leave
us way too young.

Please remember Betty, their daughter Sara, their son John (who also owns a
SHO) and their two grandchildren in your prayers.  They have lost a great
husband, father and grandfather.  The rest of us have lost a great friend.
Rest in peace, John, we'll miss you.

Paul Thomas
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
'93 Crimson Red ATX
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