John was born in Bethesda, Maryland on September 24, 1953. He grew up in Alexandria, Virginia where his interest in music, acting, and the arts flourished. In 1963, as a child actor on TV - Route 66, Sing Along with Mitch, and The Guiding Light. John also traveled with 2 national tours; The Sound of Music and The Music Man.
John attended THE Fort Hunt High School and Ferrum College. John was a musician and played the guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone, and sang with several bands including “Tom Thumb and the Four Fingers”, “Weiser Band”, and “Old Friends.” In 1972, while with the Weiser Band, John met his future wife Marla Sklopan while traveling the east coast bar scene. John’s most notable musical experience was with “Old Friends”, a bluegrass band that garnered critical acclaim in the DMV and put him on notable stages like the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA and the Kennedy Center, in Washington DC.
Because his love of music defined him, after Old Friends disbanded he continued his musical career with the Raven Sisters in Alexandria, Virginia and the Tommy Black Band in Myrtle Beach. Any time he could grab a mic and perform for an audience he would be on stage.
In addition to being a talented musician, John was a skilled carpenter, and an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and uncle to his family that loved nothing more than to hear him sing his heart out. His music is one of the things we will all miss the most.
He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Eugene and Kathryn Fugler Messenger and his sister Gretchen Lay.
He left behind his wife, Marla Messenger; his two sons, Jason Bartley Messenger (Eileen) and James Daniel Messenger; two grandchildren, Shane Robert and Karley Eileen Messenger; his sisters Diana Dove (Paul), Suzanne Steele, Becky Hoffmeister (Hank), and Dara Sklopan-Johnson (Jerry), his brother Tom Sklopan (Nancy); and 20 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of sending flowers, donations can be sent to the Blue Ridge Bull Terrier Rescue, a cause that was close to John’s heart. https://www.brbtc.org/donate/
Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
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