About 6 years back I got this silly idea in my head that I really liked nice side by sides. I didn't know anyone with a nice gun, and even now, I'm not sure how I decided I liked them so much, but very shortly I found myself here. After starting to post, I got a nice message from John, or Pop as many younger people knew him. I had never met him, never spoken with him before, but was instantly comfortable with him. He had a warmth about him that can't be put into words. The quintessential Southern Grandfather, the kind of guy that you'd like to sit on the porch with and have him tell you all about life, love and funny times.

We grew very close, and I would make regular trips up to NH to see him, and visit. Walking into Kittery with him was always a treat, as the gentlemen that worked there knew John, and always had questions about the guns they were trying to sell. He would take some time to go over a gun, then hand it to me and ask me what I thought of it, always pointing out the details I missed, teaching me at every turn.

One time we were in Kittery looking at a new gun they had, it was a beautiful damascus barreled gun. John was turning it over in his hands, smiling and admiring the piece. Another shopper came over to John and I and said, "Mister, you can't shoot that gun, those barrels are damascus steel and are liable to blow up right in your face!" I bit my lip to choke back a laugh, but John didn't miss a beat. He looked utterly incredulous, as if he had never heard such a thing before. With great care, he handed the gun back to one of the amused employees, looking for all the world like he thought the gun was going to blow up right then and there. With the gun safely back on the rack, John thanked the man profusely for educating him, and, probably, for saving his life. When the man walked away, John shot me a wink and made a comment about getting rid of the competition and saving the damascus barreled guns for us.

John was a Renaissance Man. He could talk about fine guns all day, but then move on to Antiques or decoys, politics or literature. As I moved through college we would exchange emails regularly, covering topics far away from the world of doubles. He was an extremely wise man, and his words of advice never led me astray.

A more generous man I have not, and will not, know. After only meeting me a few times, he heard that I was going to shoot some clays with friends. His face brightened, it seemed some of his shooting irons could use a workout, and he felt I was the man to do so. He promptly handed me $10,000+ worth of guns, demanded I have fun, and told me to return them whenever. I was, and still am, shocked by that gesture.

He had a habit of going dark when he wasn't doing well, he didn't want anyone's pity and certainly didn't want to feel like he was a bother. Sadly I never got to say goodbye, or thank him for being such a formative individual in my life.



John, you will be most sorely missed. You were a scholar, a gentleman, and an example to us all. Over time you were a lot like the grandfather I didn't have the pleasure of having. I learned a helluva lot from you, and I'll do my best to pass it on the knowledge, but more than that your warmth and generosity, on to the following generations.


May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

If anyone has the service details, please email me, I'd like to pay my respects. A.Storm.Howe@gmail.com