John's first car was a black 1950 Buick Special dubbed "The Shadow." He had removed the back seat and installed a mattress, so the car was usually stuffed with teenagers.
One day after school we were out and about when it started raining like it will do in Seattle- and the windshield wipers wouldn't work. So John pulled over and put  The Shadow in Park.
That is when the whining started.....
"What are we gonna do?"
"I think I have to go to the bathroom!"
"I'm hungry!"
"How are we gonna get HOME????"
"Do we know anybody that lives around here?"
No. No. No. No.
"Well, does anybody have a joint?"
No. No. No. "I got the fixings but no papers."
"Okay, does anybody have some papers? A pipe?"
Another chorus in the negative, followed of course by a search for funds. "I have a couple bucks but I'm not walking to the store in the rain!" Any volunteers? More No's.
While all this was taking place, John hadn't said a word because he'd been busy. He had removed his shoelaces and his pocket knife. He cut a short piece off one lace and got out of the car. He put his knife away and tied the top of the two wipers together with the shorter piece. He then tied the remainder of the cut piece to the driver's wiper and slipped the excess through his wing window . He then took the other shoelace and tied it to the passenger side wiper and tapped on the passenger window. I really don't remember who else was in the front seat but I DO remember watching this scene play out from the back. When the window came down, John reached in and opened the wing window himself,  shoved the shoelace through and got back in the car. Soaking wet.
 He then took both shoelaces in his hands to demonstrate what he needed the passenger to do on his side, as John needed one hand to drive the car! 

Unlike the rest of us, or most of us anyway, John Vouk was incapable of whining and self-pity. A problem was just something to be solved, something to be dealt with. 

Something to be LEANED INTO.



i never met john, but i did see so many videos. i smiled and laughed through every one of them. sending  healing prayers auntie!!! i love  you so much!! 

This is the first of many Santa photos. We were sixteen. John and I were at Northgate and ran into these other yahoos, and so began a tradition. 

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AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Leslie Vouk

29 août 1951 – 26 octobre 2021

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Leslie Vouk

29 août 1951 – 26 octobre 2021

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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