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Memorial Keepers(2)
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John Paul Colby
December 31st, 1951 - September 5th, 2023
December 31st, 1951 - September 5th, 2023
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Tributes
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Gail Polllock
Were going to miss you a very special man helped many people God bless my husband Russ knew him for 35 years and me 6 years sorry for your loss hope to see you agian in heaven thankyou Russ and gail
Del & Candis Defea
My sister from the east coast was visiting and we made our last stop at Kruse Farms to pick up a dessert before heading out to SunRiver. My sister was in her rental car. As we pulled out of the lot, a friend called and told us that the car we were in had something dragging from the underside. We drove the couple miles to John’s shop and asked him to take a look. He put it up on his rack, secured some flapping rubber with a couple of screws and told us to be on our way. When we asked what we owed, he replied, “nothing”. After a pause, I asked if he was a dessert eater? With a slight smile, he asked what we were offering. His choices were Costco’s tuxedo cake or bumble berry pie. He chose the bumble berry. We thanked him again and told him that we hoped he and Diana would enjoy the pastry. With that little smile, he stated that the pie might not make it home.
Hayley & Paul Frisch
John was a remarkable man who touched many lives with his energy, passion, love, sense of humor and faith in God. John’s outlook on life was contagious and the proverbial glass was ALWAYS “half-full.” He had natural charisma and the innate ability to make people feel special. We are honored and grateful to have been among those individuals. We had the opportunity to get to know John through our daughter Caroline and his grandson, Colby. John made our family feel like part of his from the first time we met. He was truly a grandfather figure to Caroline and a man who we admired and loved. He will be sadly missed but his legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren. Sending our love, thoughts and prayers to you all…especially Diana. May he rest in peace.
Del & Candis Defea
Between Redeemer’s vehicle “fleet” and our own cars through the years, I occasioned John’s shop on a fairly regular basis. One day while John was writing up the slip for the work to be done, an older lady walked into the bay area that often served as John’s make-shift office. John was quick to greet this timid lady with a smile, and gently asked, “Elizabeth, did you need to use the phone?” She stated, “Yes.” John proceeded to ask, then dial the number and handed her the receiver, with it’s long cord. Her time on the phone was brief, she thanked John and the two of them waved a friendly “goodbye”. From the interchange, one gathered this was a conversation that had repeated itself a few times. People who knew of Elizabeth, didn’t appreciate her. She lived by herself, didn’t care for her place and kept way too many cats. Most would have been annoyed by her ways and would have referred to her as “that hoarder” who lived in the neighborhood near Colby-Lemings. But not John. True to form, he treated and saw Elizabeth as the child of God that she was. Thank you, John, for modeling what it means to be whole hearted follower of Jesus and a caring human being.
Scott Simpson
An amazing Uncle...Racing, car shows, swap meets, working on chevy small blocks, building muscle cars, rebuilding carburetors, building garages, building shops, RC cars, WORK ETHIC: showing up for work 3-4 hours before you even opened the shop, going in on days you were closed, something I still do to this day. Keeping your tools organized, knowing exactly when I had taken a tool out and not put it back in the proper slot or drawer. Safety around the shop with jacks and jack stands. Teaching me lessons in life when I had issues with minding my parents. Giving me a place to go when I ran away. Giving me jobs to do when I needed money. Giving me references for jobs when I needed them. Always traveling to golf tournaments with my Dad and I. Letting me join the Pit Crew when I was old enough to help on the Sprint Cars for Casey and Gordon in my very limited role. Letting Paul and I run wild for many, many years. You are a daily inspiration for me every day. When I lift weights I think about you and how great of shape you stayed in all these years. On a side note, I still don't understand how Mayonnaise can be used as a substitute for ketchup or mustard, but you could put it on anything. You were huge on drinking milk and brushing our teeth as little ones, something I made sure to remind my boys of daily when they were that same age. I will miss getting calls and texts and visits - almost every week. Thank God we had a lot of golf time over the last 20 years. It has given me so many great memories. Especially the days you pulled in for league or a tournament at the last minute, saying you had to finish one more carburetor. Two of the most important things I don't want to leave out. 1986 you took me to watch TOP GUN at the pine drive-in, in the 58 corvette. This was at the end of my Nazarene days where movies were not allowed, but you made it happen. The top of the list for me....ZZ TOP - you gave me a ZZ Top Afterburner cassette in 1985 after I kept playing yours over and over in the S10. I still have that cassette, and they are still my all time favorite band (Metallica is right there with them) but nothing will ever have the meaning of getting that album from you. I guess I have one more, I can still drive with my knees and cut my fingernails at the same time - just like you taught me....I LOVE YOU and MISS YOU....
Scott & Andrea Zielinski
Wrapping all John’s family and friends in prayers of comfort and peace. John was kind and thoughtful, with an infectious smile. His service to others was just part of who he was. Whether it was repairing our cars or stopping and jumping out of his vehicle on his way home noticing that we needed help hauling in something from the back of our truck. He was a man of integrity and will be greatly missed. Much love to all. ❤️
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