John F. Coots Jr.

I've never met someone I liked so much instantly. You are missed and remembered, always.

Thank you for your ideas and engineering in those very early days of N scale.

Dear John,
You were right, you said I wouldn't know how much you loved me until you were gone. Damn we miss you, thanks for the memories. Unforgettable - that's what you are.
The way you wear your hat, the way you sip your tea, the memory of all that - oh no they can't take that away from me. true friend.

John, you were an N Scale pioneer.
In pursuing your quest for details and models for your beloved SP empire, you elected to share your custom creations with all of us and for that I will always be thankful. Because of your passion and talent, I have the correct size fuel tanks for my Hallmark Brass SD45-2's, T-2's and Lifelike FA-2's, SP-detailed GP-60 body shells and double stack cars with etched walkways when none of these yet existed, tobacco cars, 60' mill gondolas, the infamous...

Your help and guidance was, and is, very valuable to me, John. We only had a few contacts, and thankfully one was in person. The warmth of your smile and eyes were exclamation points to your knowledge. Thanks, John

John was unquestionably one of a kind. He was never afraid to innovate - a quality sadly pretty much lost now. Ride on, good man!

His contributions to the hobby of model railroading have been great and it is with deep sadness I must now say goodbye. He was a master craftsman but his work will yet inspire many for many years to come!!!

Sean and family:
Your Dad convinced me to take a risk and try my own modelbuilding business. He gave me some VERY solid business advice, along with friendship, a great 50th birthday where he reminded my how much life is left ahead (I could barely keep up with him), and a different life perspective in the process. I'll NEVER forget him. I've seen the phrase "mentor" in here so many times it's unbelievable, but count me in on that as well.

I feel rather lucky to have met him and...

John, I never had the pleasure of your acquaintance, but from everything I have heard and read, the World is certainly poorer with your passing.

God Speed, Sir.