I grew up with John when we were kids. He lived with my aunt Ruth La Valley and his brothers and sisters on 25 Taylor Street in Fort Edward. Everyone in Ft. Ed. had a nickname and we use to call John TEX. He was a great guy and always had a smile on his face. We had a great time growing up together and hanging out. I remember we had a assembly in school one day and this group of 5 singers performed at the school. They called themselves The Bluebirds. When they entered the stage, they were negros and TEX shouted out they look more like Blackbirds to me, and everybody who heard busted out laughing. I will always remember him as a friend, and hope he is in a better place. God bless you TEX.