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BORN
1947
DIED
2022
John Webber Obituary
John was the middle son of parents Hilton and Madeleine Webber (predeceased) and was born and raised in Abbotsford, B.C. Joseph (predeceased) was his older brother, and Brian the youngest. His fondest memories were fishing in the back creek and those endless summers spent at Birch Bay.
John was a drummer; it was in his DNA, and once released, was unstoppable. He bought his first drum kit at age 14 and with this, his future was sealed. He began lessons with a local teacher, Vic Guidone. Soon after, he joined a local Abbotsford dance band. He was later invited to join the Briars, a Chilliwack band who, in 1967, won the local Armstrong "Battle of the Bands." Craving more drum knowledge, John eventually graduated to Vancouver, and Canada's premiere drum teacher and authority, Jim Blackley. Through that association, John began playing Vancouver night clubs while just in his late teens. This became his musical education. Not only did he back some "unusual" acts, but he also played behind some top performers of the time and with some of Vancouver's best musicians. John valued the sights and sounds of the Vancouver music scene, as well as the grounding it gave him for a wide variety of musical genres, jazz being his favourite. Every cent that John earned playing went either to gas for the trips back and forth to Vancouver, or to the ring he was saving toward for Linda!
In 1970 John moved to Kamloops to play in the house band at Andy's Hideaway, one of Kamloops' first night spots. From there he moved to the house band at Tab's Cabida, which he later managed. He then partnered with Bill Filek in one of Kamloops' leading music stores, Filek Sound, and later with Lee Miltimore in Foundation Music and Lee's Music. He established the weekend dance band, The King Trio, bringing music to Kamloops and other parts of the province. He also played with the Kamloops Intruders show band for two seasons. In the 1990s he evolved to DJing. In the 2000s John started his own drum company, Time Tech Drums, crafting and assembling custom drum kits. John was a highly respected drum authority and taught private drum lessons for some 48 years. He also instructed for two seasons at K.I.S.S.M. and, for the last seven years of his teaching career, at Long & McQuade studios. He felt each student was unique and firmly believed that learning a musical instrument could instill confidence in the shyest child. John also had infinite compassion for those with disabilities.
He loved weight training, fly-fishing, and playing pool. At a very early age John developed a unique fondness for hand-made knives and throughout his lifetime, bought and sold several quality pieces. He and Linda also shared a love for and interest in antiques and amassed a very comprehensive collection. He loved studying the art of Rembrandt and was a prolific reader and collector of John Steinbeck books. John was intelligent, highly competitive, and had a keen interest in other people's views and thoughts. He also had a quick wit and a unique sense of humour. He was strongly opinionated, which could get a little lively, but thankfully, would always listen to the sound reasoning of his wife!
A sincere thank you to John's cousin, Eric Webber and his daughter, Dr. Alina Webber; fellow musicians, Jim Cochran, Richard Allen, and Claudette Laffey; Crystal Scott; former band member, Kevin Grant; and to Vincent Kong, for his unwavering support over the years.
You have been steadfast friends and that meant a lot to him.
John is survived by the love of his life and wife of 51 years, Linda; his beloved children, Brett (Kaoru Shimizu) of Ina, Nagano, Japan, and Bonnie (Martin) Scherrer of Kamloops, B.C.; and the grandchildren he so deeply adored, Masaya & Haruki Shimizu, and Samuel & Elise Scherrer.
John was intensely proud of his family and always held them as his crowning achievement!
John is survived by many other family and friends, and we sincerely thank them for all their strong and loving support.
John loved all furry (and non-furry!) animals and donations to the SPCA would be one of his wishes.
ALS is a devastating disease. John currently is the 8th family member on the maternal side of his family to have contracted this disease. A cure needs to be found. Any donations to the ALS Society of Canada, great and small, would be so appreciated.
Our sincerest appreciation to our family physician, Dr. Susan Vlahos, and her staff for listening and assisting us with this journey; you made it much easier. Our gratitude is also extended to Dr. Gurpreet Khakh. To Tara and Dr. Keeve de Villiers: Thank you for your wonderful, compassionate care of John.
There will be no service as per John's wishes.
When asked about the experience of dealing with ALS,
John replied with his characteristic humour,
"It only hurts when I laugh" …and then he laughed.
It was his best medicine.
To all of John's decades of music students:
To honour him, pick up your sticks and rock out to some music,
or use whatever is available to tap out a beat. John would like that.
Love is forever, and you will always be my Johnnie Angel.
John was a drummer; it was in his DNA, and once released, was unstoppable. He bought his first drum kit at age 14 and with this, his future was sealed. He began lessons with a local teacher, Vic Guidone. Soon after, he joined a local Abbotsford dance band. He was later invited to join the Briars, a Chilliwack band who, in 1967, won the local Armstrong "Battle of the Bands." Craving more drum knowledge, John eventually graduated to Vancouver, and Canada's premiere drum teacher and authority, Jim Blackley. Through that association, John began playing Vancouver night clubs while just in his late teens. This became his musical education. Not only did he back some "unusual" acts, but he also played behind some top performers of the time and with some of Vancouver's best musicians. John valued the sights and sounds of the Vancouver music scene, as well as the grounding it gave him for a wide variety of musical genres, jazz being his favourite. Every cent that John earned playing went either to gas for the trips back and forth to Vancouver, or to the ring he was saving toward for Linda!
In 1970 John moved to Kamloops to play in the house band at Andy's Hideaway, one of Kamloops' first night spots. From there he moved to the house band at Tab's Cabida, which he later managed. He then partnered with Bill Filek in one of Kamloops' leading music stores, Filek Sound, and later with Lee Miltimore in Foundation Music and Lee's Music. He established the weekend dance band, The King Trio, bringing music to Kamloops and other parts of the province. He also played with the Kamloops Intruders show band for two seasons. In the 1990s he evolved to DJing. In the 2000s John started his own drum company, Time Tech Drums, crafting and assembling custom drum kits. John was a highly respected drum authority and taught private drum lessons for some 48 years. He also instructed for two seasons at K.I.S.S.M. and, for the last seven years of his teaching career, at Long & McQuade studios. He felt each student was unique and firmly believed that learning a musical instrument could instill confidence in the shyest child. John also had infinite compassion for those with disabilities.
He loved weight training, fly-fishing, and playing pool. At a very early age John developed a unique fondness for hand-made knives and throughout his lifetime, bought and sold several quality pieces. He and Linda also shared a love for and interest in antiques and amassed a very comprehensive collection. He loved studying the art of Rembrandt and was a prolific reader and collector of John Steinbeck books. John was intelligent, highly competitive, and had a keen interest in other people's views and thoughts. He also had a quick wit and a unique sense of humour. He was strongly opinionated, which could get a little lively, but thankfully, would always listen to the sound reasoning of his wife!
A sincere thank you to John's cousin, Eric Webber and his daughter, Dr. Alina Webber; fellow musicians, Jim Cochran, Richard Allen, and Claudette Laffey; Crystal Scott; former band member, Kevin Grant; and to Vincent Kong, for his unwavering support over the years.
You have been steadfast friends and that meant a lot to him.
John is survived by the love of his life and wife of 51 years, Linda; his beloved children, Brett (Kaoru Shimizu) of Ina, Nagano, Japan, and Bonnie (Martin) Scherrer of Kamloops, B.C.; and the grandchildren he so deeply adored, Masaya & Haruki Shimizu, and Samuel & Elise Scherrer.
John was intensely proud of his family and always held them as his crowning achievement!
John is survived by many other family and friends, and we sincerely thank them for all their strong and loving support.
John loved all furry (and non-furry!) animals and donations to the SPCA would be one of his wishes.
ALS is a devastating disease. John currently is the 8th family member on the maternal side of his family to have contracted this disease. A cure needs to be found. Any donations to the ALS Society of Canada, great and small, would be so appreciated.
Our sincerest appreciation to our family physician, Dr. Susan Vlahos, and her staff for listening and assisting us with this journey; you made it much easier. Our gratitude is also extended to Dr. Gurpreet Khakh. To Tara and Dr. Keeve de Villiers: Thank you for your wonderful, compassionate care of John.
There will be no service as per John's wishes.
When asked about the experience of dealing with ALS,
John replied with his characteristic humour,
"It only hurts when I laugh" …and then he laughed.
It was his best medicine.
To all of John's decades of music students:
To honour him, pick up your sticks and rock out to some music,
or use whatever is available to tap out a beat. John would like that.
Love is forever, and you will always be my Johnnie Angel.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Kamloops This Week on Oct. 18, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for John Webber
2 Entries
Michael Leroux
June 6, 2024
He taught me how to play drums..............
Every note I ever played came from him...
I loved him. Rest in peace John....
Me and you.. Tony Williams show 86 st..1992.....we sat beside him. Best night of my life
Peter Ibsen
October 20, 2022
Very sorry to hear of John's passing. I met John in 1974 at Filek Sound. Our mutual love of music and drums fostered a life-long friendship. John gave me my first lessons, and sold me my first professional set of Ludwig drums, that I still have and play to this day. RIP John.
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