OnLine Memorial Service for John Fabian (CarterSteelGuitars)

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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CrowBear Schmitt
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Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

i too was very surprised if not shocked to know of Johns passing
my sincere condolences to his family
His work lives on
Rest easy John, you're w: the Lord now
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Jim Walker
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Post by Jim Walker »

This is very saddening news. I offer my deepest condolences. An extra prayer for you Ann, as well as the rest of your family. May God be with with us all.

JW
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Jon Light
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Post by Jon Light »

I had no idea. Ann, you know you can count on me for anything.
Ted Nesbitt
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Post by Ted Nesbitt »

I got the shock of my life when I heard the news. John Fabian was a wonderful person, and a gtreat friend. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. My sincere condolences to Ann and family members.
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Tony Prior
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Post by Tony Prior »

I am deeply saddened by this news.

John was my friend. I met John several years ago, maybe 2002 or 2003 at Saluda. Somehow we just kinda hit it off and had a nice friendship since. He would call me on the way home from the shop now and then and we would talk Steels and "Forum stuff " until he lost cell phone signal which I guess is near his home. John did share some history with me with regard to his past illness and as Ann suggests, please do get a Colonoscopy soon if you are near 50, even if you have to pay for it yourself.

I had been trying to call John over the past few weeks and just thought that he and Ann were off somewhere on business or something like that.

John was a wonderful guy, smart as all get go , really understood the business of manufacturing and the process. We used to talk about the big machines, the NC Lathes etc, manufacturing process, etc...don't ask me why, we just did.

John really understood the Pedal Steel guitar as well, the physics, the music ,the building, the whole thing, he used to always say to me, think about what it is you are wanting to do, look at the neck, look at the pulls, understand what they do, and there it is right in front of you !

John was the first person to show me the Bb Lever and it's proper use , I had been playing some phrases for him at a Saluda and he looked at me, called me some sort of funny name and then showed me how to do the exact same thing with ease using the X lever, I'll never forget that. My root X lever education came from John.

I met Ann at St Louis a few years later and became fond of her as well, I always had a nice time seeing both John and Ann at St. Louis.

I am really going to miss John, I am better for knowing him.

Ann, if there is anything I can do for you please contact me and please know you are in prayers and thoughts.

tony
Last edited by Tony Prior on 30 Jan 2010 6:14 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Bill Hatcher
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Post by Bill Hatcher »

This is very sad. God bless.
Buddy Elkin
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Post by Buddy Elkin »

My condolences go out to Ann and the family.
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Paul Wade
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Post by Paul Wade »

my prayers go out to fabian family. very sad to here
of john passing

p.w
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Hook Moore
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Post by Hook Moore »

Like others have said, I am truly shocked to read this terrible news.. I very much enjoyed every conversation I ever had with John and I'm very sad to know he has passed.
Ann I am so sorry, my condolences to all the family and friends.
Hook
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Don Sulesky
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Post by Don Sulesky »

I am shocked to hear of his passing.
He was always easy to talk to.
My condolences go out to you and your family Ann.
Don
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David L. Donald
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Post by David L. Donald »

Well this is like a right hook to the jaw.
John was a fixture of almost every steel show ever I got to,
and we always had a nice conversation about things in general.
Ann was always nearby and with a smile on her face.
They both made Carter Guitars seem a family operation in spite of it being the largest.

RIP John you did good,
and with the Carter Starter you made steeling possible
for so many who can never repay that debt.

My condolences to Ann and the family.
Last edited by David L. Donald on 30 Jan 2010 7:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.

Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many!
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Al Brisco
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John Fabian

Post by Al Brisco »

A sad day indeed.

John was so professional & shared great amounts of valuable information with me over the years. His mind was like a steel trap.

He will be dearly missed in the steel guitar community.

Condolances to Ann & the family from Betty & myself.
God speed!
Al Brisco
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Patrick Laffrat
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Post by Patrick Laffrat »

My deepest condoleances for you Ann and all the family.
I was so glad and proud to meet John and You in Bettystown in october. All french steelers of my friends are so sad. But John is a mountain and he will give more many rivers for ever.
James Leaman
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Post by James Leaman »

I am in shock, as the rest of the steel community is.

I have gotten to know John and Ann through playing Carters and meeting them at the ISGC and two finer people you would never meet.

My sympathies got to you Ann for your great loss and my God be with you in your time of terrible loss.

Jim
Roger Kelly
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Post by Roger Kelly »

My deepest sympathy to you Ann and your family in this time of sorrow.
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Al Brisco
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John Fabian

Post by Al Brisco »

The Pedal Steel world has lost a giant in the industry.

John shared so much valuable information with myself & everyone over the years...always willing to give the proper assistance to specific challenges.

I know he will be missed by myself & many others.

Betty & I send our condolences to Ann & the family.
Al Brisco
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Ron Whitworth
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Post by Ron Whitworth »

Ann, I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing, what a shock.
My sincerest condolences to you and the family.
Ron
"Tone is in the hands. Unless your wife will let you buy a new amp. Then it's definitely in that amp."

We need to turn the TWANG up a little

It's not what you play through, it's what you play through it.

They say that tone is all in the fingers...I say it is all in your head :)

Some of the best pieces of life are the little pieces all added up..Ron

the value of friendship. Old friends shine like diamonds, you can always call them and - most important - you can't buy them.
Dave Diehl
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Post by Dave Diehl »

Ann, my condolances go out to you and your family. My associations with you and John have always been a pleasant one, be it business or personal. You'll will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Frank Estes
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Post by Frank Estes »

I am very sorry, Ann. I had no idea he had health issues and this is the first I had heard he passed away. He was a great guy.
Bruce W Heffner
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John

Post by Bruce W Heffner »

Very sad news. This man did the pedal steel guitar world a great service in his career. He is missed.
:(
Bruce
Bruce W Heffner AKA Wally

"We live in Arizona now."

Payson, AZ
Ralph Donahue
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Location: Kindersley,Saskatchewan, Canada

John Fabian's passing

Post by Ralph Donahue »

I am very sorry to hear about John and condolances to Ann and the rest of the family.........
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Tony Rankin
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Post by Tony Rankin »

Ann,

You have my deepest sympathy. I will miss John.

Tony
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Janice Brooks
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Post by Janice Brooks »

Having some great memories of the Dallas shows I went to.
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Jeremy Drawbaugh
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Post by Jeremy Drawbaugh »

just as everyone else i am shocked. had no idea that john had passed or that he was sick. my thoughts to ann and family.
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Thomas Cepek
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Post by Thomas Cepek »

Dear Mrs. Fabian !

I´m so shocked and sad to read this. I have tears in my eyes. My deepest condolances to you and your family.

I will never forget my visit at the Carter company 2,5 years ago, I loved to meet John there and at the conventions. I will never forget him. My thoughts are with you.

Warmest regards... Thomas
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