Monterey John Photographer
A Post from John's Son
Posted by Monterey John (Hollister, CA, United States) on 23 June 2011 in People & Portrait.
A week ago Thursday dad (John/Monterey John) suffered a major stroke. The stroke destroyed his brain and left him in a vegetative state. He is off life support at the moment and family and friends are now just waiting as he heads off to a better place. He loved his photography and all the interaction between you all on this site. I wanted to let everyone know about this recent condition, and your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Thank you for sharing in his passion.
-William Wilson
The new web site is live. http://monterey-john-photographer.com/
Judy aka L@dybug from Brooksville, FL, United States
I thank you, Will, for letting me/us know of this extremely sad turn of events in your father's life. As you know, he and I would banter back and forth via e-mail with decisions on his photos. When he was in CT he traveled to Milford and photographed the church where I grew up and married; several of those photos are in the collections on his website. He was so happy with the work on his site, and on the recent video he created. Though we never met face-to-face, we've been in fairly close contact, and even talked of meeting when he was in FL visiting your uncle.
I am so very sorry you are having to go through this waiting ... and we will keep you and your family in our prayers. Know I will miss my friend, John! ♥
23 Jun 2011 8:19pm
klausZ from Kufstein, Austria
a very sad information! all the best and keep your head up!
23 Jun 2011 8:48pm
john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States
A terrible loss to all of us on Aminus3. Am so glad that he made it back to his beloved California. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love and peace.
23 Jun 2011 9:36pm
Barbara from Florida, United States
My heart goes out to you and your family, Will. I was stunned to hear the news from Judy. Your father's photography has always been inspiring for me. I enjoyed the sites and words he shared as he traveled across country, along with his outstanding work with his website. Your father's passion for his photography delighted all of us who visited his photos.
Please know that there are many here on AM3 and through the internet who really enjoyed knowing your father and the beauty he contributed.
We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during a most difficult time.
23 Jun 2011 9:46pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
William, I am heartbroken to learn this. It's too sudden and unexpected. Your wonderful dad has been one of my shining lights here on Am3. While I never did get to meet him in person, I felt as if I knew him through his pictures and the emails we exchanged on a whole variety of topics (faith, family, politics, religion, places, news, personal issues, etc.). I consider him a true friend and not just a photo-mentor, and will miss him terribly here on Am3. Just knowing his life on this earth is coming to a close hurts; I feel someone important to me will be missing. Yet I know John by his faith and that by faith in Jesus Christ, his real life is just beginning. Ultimately, this is his (and all our) blessing. Please accept this heartfelt expression of my love and respect for your Dad - "Monterey John." And please know that my prayers are with you all.
23 Jun 2011 10:09pm
Susan from Pompano Beach, by Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Will.....so sorry to hear about this......thoughts and prayers to you and your family....Your dad will surely be missed out here......strange how this little blogsite made people so close! Please let your family know how loved your dad is out here.....He will be sorely missed.....
23 Jun 2011 10:55pm
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
Thank you William. I had coffee with your Dad near the AT&T Ballpark as he was heading back east last year. We enjoyed a splendid time, together. I consider him a friend and a noble spirit. My prayers are with him, with you, with the family, and go out towards all who know him. He shared his vision powerfully.
24 Jun 2011 1:26am
Tamara from Aarschot, Belgium
That's terrible news... I can't find the words (especially as english is only my third language) but I really wanted to let you know my thoughts are with him, and with you and the rest of his family.
24 Jun 2011 7:28am
marci from in, Morocco
Your dad was truly an inspiration with his passion and artistry in photography. We have felt we traveled his journey cross country right along-side him. He leaves a wonderful legacy of beauty. I'm adding my thoughts and prayers to those coming in from around the world, uniting in honor of our friend John.
24 Jun 2011 7:55am
Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium
Hi Will - so sorry to hear this news about your father - my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. John was a long time inspiration here on Aminus3 and he will be missed by many.
We are honored that we were able to see his world through his images and connect.
24 Jun 2011 10:52am
MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada
William, this is so sad news! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you . I want to believe and wish from all my heart John will recover and come back to normal life! Let's pray and hope !
24 Jun 2011 11:13am
Photographs by M.E. from San Francisco, United States
I'm deeply saddened to hear about your dad's condition. John inspired me to take pictures, I have always looked for and waited for his comments. I am praying for him.
John - thank you for sharing your talent. Many thanks for inspiring M.E. One of these days, I will wake up early and shoot the Bay.
24 Jun 2011 1:57pm
Jason Politte from Conway, AR, United States
Oh my - this is such a surprise. I'm so very sorry to hear this. Your father seemed a great man and was great photographer. My thoughts are with your family, and John's contributions here will be missed.
24 Jun 2011 3:05pm
Denny Jump Photo from Easton, PA, United States
Oh my gosh, William - I just heard of this and came here to John's site. I am sure that you will find as the days come through, that this site will be flooded with words from many, many people on this blog. I am sure your dad probably told you, AM3 is truly a family. I am so very sorry about your dad..I wish to God that this news had never come to pass....I am so very sorry about this. AS someone noted above, at least he was able to return to Californina but how I wish it could have gone on without this tragedy. If there is some way, please give him my love and may I wish all of you in the family my heartfelt wishes and sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with you and John. Denny Jump - Easton, PA
24 Jun 2011 7:39pm
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
I just found out from Judy what had happened. What a very sad news this is! :( I will miss him terrebly! But I will always remember how kind and passionate he was. My thoughts and prayers are with you and with John.
24 Jun 2011 8:05pm
Jennifer Hatcher from Johns Creek, United States
I am so so sorry.
I never had the pleasure of meeting your father but he was such a wonderful inspiration, a fabulous photography and one of my first supporters and "internet mentors"
I know he will be missed dearly by his family, friends and all the people he touched with his gorgeous and captivating images.
God Bless and My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
24 Jun 2011 8:14pm
DULCIE from Danville, CA, United States
I am so very very saddened by this news. Your father was a light in my life. I so identified with him and the images he took, especially since we both shared a "California" location together on AM3. He was always generous, friendly, and helpful in his comments on my blog and others. I ALWAYS felt my day enriched when I saw his name on my site. And I loved his droll and down-to-earth sense of humor. I wish I had had the opportunity to say goodbye before he was felled by this disastrous stroke.
I hope you leave his photo site up on AM3 so we can continue to view his photos, and receive his inspiration and the sense of the power and beauty of the world that was so clear through all his work. In his photos and in our hearts he will always live on. I feel blessed and honored to have known him and heartbroken that the time was so short. Please communicate that as best as you can to him. I will miss him so........
24 Jun 2011 8:43pm
Scott F. Schilling from San Martin, United States
Dear Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I very much enjoyed his photography and his enthusiasm! You could tell he loved what he was doing!
24 Jun 2011 8:43pm
B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States
This is such sad news. I can only echo what so many have said before. He will be missed here on Am3 by many of us who never met him. I can't even imagine how much he will be missed by his family and friends. You and your family have my sympathy and prayers.
Isn't it interesting that one of his last posts, June 16, is titled Highway to Heaven! Happy travels, John.
24 Jun 2011 9:12pm
Don Smith from California, United States
Hi William, I am so saddened to hear about your father. He and I had conversed via e-mail as I reside in Hollister. I had told him we should meet, and we were going to get together for coffee but my schedule got so crazy, and well now unfortunately, I will not get to know him. I followed his many posts here on Aminus3 and perused his website. He seemed to have such a passion and zest for life lived through the places his camera and interests led - what more can we ask for? I was just in one of his favorite places this morning - Big Sur. My family and I will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
24 Jun 2011 9:53pm
LauraS from Chico, United States
I have tears in my eyes as I read all these messages to the family. John was a true friend and family member here in AM3 community. I looked forward to his shots and comments, as he always had a great eye, and a good sense of humor. I will truly miss him. Thank your for sharing this with us, it must have been very hard to do, and know that wherever he lands in heaven, he will continue to watch down on us all and capture those precious moments, whether we can see the results or not.
God bless you all! We will miss him, so!
24 Jun 2011 10:25pm
Eric Cousineau from Sherwood Park, Canada
William, thank you for letting us share this loss with you! Our AM3 is definitely devastated by this sudden turn. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. God Bless! ;-)
24 Jun 2011 11:17pm
Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom
Oh dear William this is indeed very sad news, I have enjoyed your dad's work enormously on this site over the past few years and it grieves me heavily that he may not be able to contribute further.
You are going through extremely difficult times and my thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your father, I am praying for a miracle and a resumption that may provide some quality of life for your dad.
Your love and your strength of character are more important now than any hobby, God bless you all.
24 Jun 2011 11:20pm
bronzebilly u.k. from Barry,Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom
I haven't been on AM3 for a while,but after receiving this sad news from a few friends ,I felt I had to pay my respects to Mr.Wilson's family at this heart -breaking time..
I've always admired his photography and wry sense of humour and he always gave great feedback on my work,as he did to many others..
I would always address him as Mr.Wilson,which I think he enjoyed ....I hope so...
My thoughts and prayers are with your family Mr.Wilson..and I wish you a peaceful journey..
Billy...
25 Jun 2011 1:19am
Wild Mustang Photography from Carlisle, Massachusetts, United States
I am truly saddened by the news of your dad. I have only known him for a year, but loved his images and his sense of humor. He expressed excitement moving back to California from CT. near Thanksgiving time , and was very happy to be home again, and you could see this in his images. All that passion that he had for his home and family. He was very happy. I remember wishing him luck before the move. I can only hope we will be able to view his images on this site, as his legacy lives on with his spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He will be greatly missed..... Pam Ziehler
25 Jun 2011 1:51am
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
He will be very missed. My heart goes out to the Wilson family. Please know we all loved and admired John and his photography.....
25 Jun 2011 3:08am
Fraucha from БІЛА ЦЕРКВА, Ukraine
I am very sad to her this William. I have enjoyed your Father's visions here on aminus3. I know this is a tough time for you now and I am grieved at this news. My thoughts and prays go with you all. His vision will be missed. - John, Bila Tserkov, Ukraine
25 Jun 2011 3:36am
Richard from Duns, United Kingdom
Very sad news indeed. I've been away from Aminus3 for a while and have only been back this week. I looked forward to your Dad's photos every day. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
25 Jun 2011 12:40pm
k@ from Paris, France
Oh this is so sad & violent, our sincere thoughts with you all, and prayers of course. Courage & many positive vibes, William*******
27 Jun 2011 11:27am
Mike from California, United States
Sorry to hear this sad news... His enthusiasm and passion for photography will be missed.
27 Jun 2011 8:51pm
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
This is sad news indeed. We will miss you John.
28 Jun 2011 1:20am
Judy aka L@dybug from Brooksville, FL, United States
Will, Ava Sue, and to the rest of John's family, I want to express my sincere condolences for John's passing. I will always remember his love of nature and photography. I am thankful that he is now in God's presence. Bless you all...
28 Jun 2011 7:37pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
John has left his mark on many people over his lifetime, not the least of which are his Am3 friends, of which I am one. His faith and his passion for life and creation, his love of photography and his good-natured tinkering with Light Room and other processing tools were always fun to watch and learn from. He prided himself in excellence. He also had very kind words of encouragement for those of us who were striving to meet his level of proficiency. John was my friend here, and I am going to miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends, who I know are going to miss him even more. May God's blessings and comfort in hurting times rest with each one of you.
29 Jun 2011 12:21am
Photographs by M.E. from San Francisco, United States
John... I'm very sad to hear that you passed away. Rest in peace.
To your family, my heartfelt condolences and prayers.
29 Jun 2011 3:06am
Ted from South Wales, United Kingdom
So sad...my condolences to you and your family.
29 Jun 2011 5:49am
Denny Jump Photo from Easton, PA, United States
Will and all of the Wilson family, please may I just say how truly sorry I am of John's passing. This AM3 is a family as well, and I just told Judy how I feel as though I have lost a relative too. Please know that we all wish you and the rest of your family peace and continued faith in the coming days....surely John will now be assigned the job of official photographer in heaven His work and his spirit will always grace us all and make us smile! Wishing you my deepest condolences...Denny Jump
29 Jun 2011 3:21pm
Scene by Sharon Photography from Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Dear William, please know your family will be in my thoughts and prayers
As much as I did not really"know" John, I "knew" him through our family here on AM3, and I feel like I have lost a friend.
May God bless you all, and help you find peace at this most difficult of times.
~ Sharon Buffett
29 Jun 2011 3:53pm
Eric Fry from Houston, TX, United States
My deepest sympathy to you and your family, William. John and I had a lot of fun playing with search engine optimization, and we both learned some good tricks. He was always kind and had time to chat with me. It is an honor for me to have known him, even if just a little, and he will be sorely missed.
30 Jun 2011 10:24am
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. I "knew" John through photo blogging over the past few years and had the pleasure of meeting him last November in New York at the Photo-plus expo. I only regret that the meeting was so short. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Laurie Jackson
30 Jun 2011 1:01pm
Jerry - a moment in time [...] from Chicago, United States
This is so sad.... He was a great photographer!
30 Jun 2011 5:10pm
Tamara from Aarschot, Belgium
My sincere condolance to the family... We will surely miss him. Rest in Peace John.
30 Jun 2011 5:43pm
DarkElf from Perth, Australia
very sad news indeed of his passing... may he rest in peace! he and his contributions will be missed...
1 Jul 2011 12:55am
Betsy Barron from Philadelphia, PA, United States
He and his beautiful work will be missed, but remembered always.
1 Jul 2011 1:47pm
Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States
My thoughts and prayers are with your family- I am so sad to hear about your dad...He was a great supporter of my photography, and he opened my eyes and heart to Big Sur (especially Pfeiffer Beach). He will be missed greatly here on Am3.
1 Jul 2011 3:22pm
Phil David Morris 2011 from Saskatoon, Toronto, Canada
So sad to know, William, as you know the shock one has when you lose a loved one is
a trauma all over again, just know that I thought very highly of his work, extremely, and
the loss of such a fine person is a loss that we cannot get over lightly. Thank you for the
posting of this fine image of your father. He was very much loved on Aminus !~
1 Jul 2011 9:07pm
Michael Fresh from Chester, United Kingdom
Prayers and condolences Will to you and your family. Such a great loss. Strength to you.
3 Jul 2011 11:11pm
Denny Jump Photo from Easton, PA, United States
Will and family...I am sure that I speak for all of us when I tell you that we are still thinking of you and we all wish you peace and conmfort in the knowledge that John is still with the rest of us as well. His memory shall be with us all as we continue with our passion, and John's: Photography! We shall keep John involved with every click of the shutter. With love to you all!
5 Jul 2011 1:32pm
Judy aka L@dybug from Brooksville, FL, United States
I am thrilled to see the testament to your father, Will ... I hope you will get to see it here.
11 Jul 2011 2:20am
Susan from Sausalito, United States
Can't think of what to say with this terribly sad news. I loved his enthusiasm and wandered with him on the last trip he took across the United States. His gentle spirit shone through his photographs. So very sorry and sad.
13 Jul 2011 3:33pm
alex centrella from California, United States
i am just deeply struck by this news, i talked to jon on the phone several times about meeting up and going on a shoot in Monterey.. I will miss him dearly..
19 Jul 2011 4:14pm
