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John Emerson Obituary
John loved to play guitar and was always learning new instruments. He and his friends formed a small "acoustic" band called ESP for Emerson, Smith and Phelps. They even produced an excellent CD. He also learned to make wine after we bought a place in the NC mountains that had producing grape vines. This became his big passion for the last 2 years.
John is survived by his wife, Jean Emerson; two daughters, Heather Emerson Burckhardt and Kristin Emerson Woodard; and one step- son, Aaron Krauss. There are two grandchildren as well whom John was ecstatic to hold when they came this year: Ayden Burkhardt and Ava Krauss. These are all residents of North Carolina. John also has a sister, Evelyn Birdsall, and mother, Ruth Weeks, in San Antonio, TX. His younger sister, Suzanne Coleman is in Southern California. He has many dear friends left behind in both the Raleigh area and Sylva, NC near the cabin.
A service will be held at the Renaissance Funeral Home on Six Forks Road, in Raleigh at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. There will be no viewing.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to American Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Emerson
Jean Emerson
September 7, 2007
Dear - it is hard to be without you. I am struggling through the tasks you left me to handle -- but I wish you were here to give me a hug. I miss you so much it hurts. I am sorry that we never got to Australia for you -- or Nigara Falls -- or Yellowstone.
You were the best lifemate I could ask for. Your dogs and I talk about you every days. Sometimes the cats chip in. I love you
sharon miller
September 5, 2007
Thank you John, for being "the gentle Giant" in our family. We will always treasure the memories of great times with you and Jean at the cabin...at the river...and at our family get-togethers. We will miss your wonderful "Cabin View" wine...but there is an empty bottle on the bottle-tree in the garden to remind us of your last gift. Yes, we grieve your passing, but we feel so fortunate to have known you as our friend. We are so glad to have seen you at the cabin one last time.
We send our love to Jean, Aaron, Kristin and Heather. We are so sad for your loss.
Sharon and Chuck
Kristin and Heather Woodard and Burckhardt
August 29, 2007
Daddy was the best father 2 girls could have asked for! We couldn't have picked him any better! Sister and I miss you so much! We love you Daddy!! (Peanut and Puddin')
Joyce (Stafford) Smith
August 28, 2007
I was so very sorry to learn of Johnny's passing. The last time I saw him was one Christmas when he and his wife stopped by my in-laws for a short visit. He and Bill Smith (my brother-in-law) had been good friends throughout their school years. Jean, I understand what you and your family are feeling, because I went through the same emotions when my husband, Ricky, died 5 years ago. Please let Susanne know how sorry I am and that I would love to hear from her sometime
Larry & Jerri Meisner
August 27, 2007
We're so sorry to learn of John's passing.
Kris May
August 22, 2007
John was a wonderful, kind and caring man. He will be sorely missed here at DOT. Your family will be in my prayers and I pray God gives you the strength to get through this difficult time.
Anita Robinson
August 21, 2007
On behalf of the Lackland Administrative Professional Association we offer to the family, our heartfelt condolence.
Mark Daughtridge
August 21, 2007
John was a great musician and fun fellow, from my many attendances of ESP events. There will be a special place in heaven for those who had to listen to Don's jokes, especially more than once. ;-) John, all who knew you will miss you. My prayers are with your family and friends.
May the circle be Unbroken.
Doris Washington
August 21, 2007
You and your family have our deepest sympathy. God has plucked one of his best from the garden. Please keep the faith and our prayers are with your family.
Lawless Thomas
August 21, 2007
My wife and I prayers are with you and your family. Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you.
MADELINE SCHILLING
August 21, 2007
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.
Alan Phelps
August 21, 2007
For days, I have pondered how to put my thoughts into words about the loss of such a good friend. But I realize that I haven't lost him. He will always be a part of who I am and I am thankful he and his family allowed me to be a part of his life. He was and still is a true friend. Jean, you and the rest of your family have been and will continue to be in my prayers.
Nancy Brown
August 21, 2007
I knew John thru ESP - we drove from Greensboro to hear them on many occasions. He was so gentle,
friendly and talented. You are so
fortunate to have been his family.
You have been in our prayers.
Nancy Brown
(Don's Aunt)
John & Carol Kimberley
August 21, 2007
John, may you go on ahead and check those bridges to heaven for us all and when we join you there, we will look forward to hearing you playing music once again.
Paula B Chafetz (Smith) Snyder
August 20, 2007
In my brief encounters with John, I enjoyed his quiet but warm mannerisms. He helped welcome me to the Triangle Folk Sing when I first got back into music. I appreciated his bass playing -- a fresh sound among multiple guitars. My sincere sympathy to the family he left behind.
Don and Nydia Smith
August 20, 2007
John was a fine, fine man. Over the eight years that we knew him, we came to love him and Jean as if they were our brother and sister. We miss him so much, but we're so fortunate to have known him. We'll cherish our memories of him always.
Debi Johnson
August 20, 2007
Kristin and Heather...I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Teresa Pergerson
August 20, 2007
John was a kind and caring man. I have had the pleasure to work with John and feel blessed to have known him. He will be truly missed at NCDOT. I will pray that God will give you comfort during this difficult time.
Erica Tention
August 20, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sadness. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help in this hard time.
Lauren & Joseph Holt
August 20, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We love you.
Pete and Jan Donahoe
August 20, 2007
We will deeply miss our friend. We will miss his music, his visits to San Antonio, his humor, and his warmth as a person. John had a personality that made one totally comfortable to be around, and his memory will be with us always.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all his family.
Ruth Polanco
August 20, 2007
I will miss Uncle Johnny terribly. He was a very caring and giving individual and will be missed more than words could ever express. He was a very talented man and loved music. He could not wait to become a grandfather and I am so glad he was a part of both of his grandchildrens lives.
Lynda Bowen
August 20, 2007
I worked with John for just a few years but he was always good to work with. He will be greatly missed at the Bridge Maintenance Unit in Raleigh. I will miss our conversations together when ever I went to Bridge Maintenance.
Peter Weykamp
August 20, 2007
John volunteered to be on the Bridge Task Force. That's how a number of us were fortunate to meet him. Even though we met only once or twice a year, we got to know John. He had a gracious heart, a warm smile, and calming demeanor. The bridge community will miss him.
Dot Boulia
August 20, 2007
I am so very sad to hear that John has died. It seems to have all happened so quickly. I wish we had gotten to see him this summer. My deepest sympathies to his family. I wish you peace in the knowledge that he loved you, knew that you loved him and that you did all that you could for him while he was with us. I will miss him.
Billy Littleton
August 20, 2007
JOHN WAS A GREAT BOSS AND FRIEND TO BRIDGE MAINTENANCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH JOHN WHEN HE CAME ON BOARD AS THE STATE BRIDGE INSPECTION ENGINEER. WE WORKED ON SEVERAL PROJECTS TOGETHER WHILE IN INSPECTION AND SEVERAL MORE IN MAINTENACE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE EMERSON FAMILY AND FRIENDS. HE WILL BE TRUELY MISSED. BILL
Kathy Ringelstein
August 20, 2007
My prayers and thoughts are with you Kristin and to your whole family. We love you.Kathy Ringelstein(Applebees)and Family
Sandra Emerson
August 20, 2007
My greatest sympathy to the family.
Max Ford
August 20, 2007
Be Still
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.
Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.
Dennis Johnson
August 20, 2007
I worked with John for about 15 years. He was very friendly. He always took time out to discuss personal issues about you and himself. He would always make time to go eat dinner with us, who came to Raleigh from other areas from time to time. He had a passion for bridges, his fellow workers and life in general. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, co-workers and friends.
Roger Bowers
August 20, 2007
It was an honor and blessing to know and work with John. After my retirement from the department two years ago, I would from time to time stop by his office, and he would find time to talk. He and I talked of numerous things, bridges, recording and of course football. I will miss him very much, but I was blessed to know him. I will pray for strength for each of you in his family. John was a wonderful person and he was proud of each of you. It's a sad day for us, but a joyous day in heaven. He's probably looking at some bridges up there.
Llewellyn Beaman
August 20, 2007
We are so sorry to learn about Johnny's passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Llewellyn Beaman
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