Thanks, John

Thanks, John

Every day the staff at the Columbia Basin Herald is reminded of our customers. Over the years, one customer became more of our family than a reader.

John H. Waters would walk from his home to our office on Third Avenue daily to pick up his newspaper. At first he came to get it quietly, then disappear. Then as time went on he began building friendships with everyone he met.

He was quick with a joke or wry observation about news, and his smile was always a welcome sight. He would wander into our circulation department and wait for the newspapers to be ready, talking to everyone willing to spend time with him. Then he started to wander through the offices and eventually we would find him flirting with the ladies at the front counter.

His biggest fan was reporter Matthew Weaver. Matthew would take breaks to talk with John and once wrote about John's life in Moses Lake and his career with the Burlington Northern Railroad as a car foreman.

To the young men in the office, he would pass on pearls of wisdom about married life. It was easy to hear the love he had for his wife Anna.

John always subscribed to the newspaper, but rarely had it delivered. He preferred to "get his exercise" walking to our office and pick them up. We suspect is was more than just the walking he liked. He was family. He was our friend.

John passed away Friday at the age of 83. It was noticed immediately by staff members, who wondered where he was. Our affection led to guesses of vacation, visiting with his family or perhaps he was busy gardening. We were sad when we received his obituary.

We miss John.

He was a reader, but he was more than that. He was part of us. He gave us a reason to worker harder and do better in our jobs. We wanted to make his daily walk worth the trip and worth the smiles and laughs he gave us.

Thank you, John. We treasure the time you gave us.

- Editorial board