Big John Bechtel

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 28 Sep 2011 5:20 pm

I'm so sorry to report that long time friend of mine and to this forum Big John Bechtel passed away today. John was admitted to the hospital Sept 8 and last Thursday was transferred to a local nursing home. John just admitted his own wife to this same nursing home on Sept 1 only one week before he went to the hospital. He told me he was unable to take care of her as he wasn't getting around very well himself. John has emailed me every day for several years and we talked a lot on the phone. I would go over to his house which is only a few miles from mine and he'd play some really cool Jerry Byrd stuff on the diatonic tuning on his 49 Fender T-8 Custom. John told me a couple of weeks ago he'd given his life to Christ for the second time in his life and I know he is in a much better place now. Funeral arrangemnts are incomplete but I called his sister in Reading, Pa and step daughter in Fairfax, Va. and told them I'd be here if they need me to make them. John was a gentle and quiet man with an easy manner about him. God rest his soul.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 28 Sep 2011 5:43 pm

Frank, thank you for callling me, I felt really bad about John, I had thought somehow he would pull through......a fine gentleman and a great steel player who loved country and Hawaiian music..bless him....Keoni Rest in peace.......This one is for our friend John... http://youtu.be/6e9eGjSqevE

Thank you Frank. I know he was a good friend and we all thought very much of John,he knew you were a sincere and dear friend who looked after him through his illness.I was shocked when you called, it seemed to have happened so fast...Keoni I'll miss you.

Your buddy, Jody

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Sep 2011 7:20 pm

What a sad note. John will be missed. RIP Brother John.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 28 Sep 2011 8:02 pm

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'd see him a few years ago & he was always very nice to me. Because I live near what used to be Owl Hollow gun club he wanted to meet there & shoot. Can do it now, but I couldn't do it then.

I know he's in a better place, but this is a sad note indeed.
Have fun up there, Big John.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 28 Sep 2011 8:24 pm

Very sorry to hear this. Big John was a special man. May he rest in peace.
Frank Parish. Friends like you are hard to come by. John was very blessed to have you for a friend. I'm sure he knew it. My condolences to you.

bb

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 28 Sep 2011 9:36 pm

Oh! This is such sad news. Big John never clued me in that he was ill, always spoke of his wife and her illness.

We had such interesting "chats" via e-mail. His steel playing and also his knack of refinishing steel guitars
was great. He was also very crafted in leather work. I'll
miss his e-mails so much.

I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person however I could tell after so many years of corresponding he was a very kind and gentle person who loved his wife dearly. I'm deeply saddened upon reading this thread knowing I'll never hear from him again. My sincerest condolances to his family.

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 28 Sep 2011 10:32 pm

I am so sad to hear that John has went on to his Father but I know he will be happy and at ease with the Lord! I only knew John casually as we only met back in 07 down at Gabes after I broke my leg.

Jay Andrews use to come and get me for their jam night and John came down a few nights to hear the band and introduced himself to me. He was a fine gentleman and a wonderful soul to be around.

After we met we stayed in touch through email for several years.

I pray that the Lord will have mercy on his soul and I am so glad to hear that he gave his soul to Jesus, it just doesn't get any better than that!!

Fly high Big John and I will see you someday up yonder when the Lord calls me home!!!!! Thanks for your friendship and love!!!!

Big Bob

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 29 Sep 2011 12:24 am

How sad. I am so sorry; John and I spoke many times, and he was just always so interesting to talk to. My prayers go out to his family...

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 29 Sep 2011 1:43 am

i'm sorry to know of John's passing
my sincere condolences to his family
Rest in Peace John, you're w: the Lord now

Tony Smart · Post by **Tony Smart** » 29 Sep 2011 2:28 am

I’m very sorry of hear John’s passing. It is very sad and my condolences to his family.

I bought one of John’s guitars from him 4 or 5 years ago and stayed in touch. He was a very friendly, honest and helpful man and I’m sure he will be missed by many people – especially the steel guitar community.

Lost but not forgotten is a fitting epitaph for this man.
Rest In Peace John.

Tony Smart

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 29 Sep 2011 2:56 am

I enjoyed talking to big John. I'm very sorry to hear this news and offer my condolences to all family and friends.
Hook

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Sep 2011 7:07 am

Although not related to him, we shared the same last name. Last year when I was in Nashville for ResoSummit, I stopped by Bobbe's shop and met John. He was a gentleman and a really nice guy to me.
Rest in Peace.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 29 Sep 2011 7:56 am

Heartbreaking

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 29 Sep 2011 8:30 am

Another one! It is so sad that so many of the original players of the steel-guitar are passing away. May God bless him and his family that he left behind.

Gene

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 29 Sep 2011 9:36 am

I didn't know John but had corresponded by email several times.He sent me a VCR tape of him playing several songs,some that he composed.I will treasure this tape forever.

Play for our Savior Big John.

Andy

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 Sep 2011 10:17 am

RIP John. I will miss seeing him around here. He sent me that same VCR tape a few months ago.

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 29 Sep 2011 11:50 am

RIP Big John! bruce & lynn

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 29 Sep 2011 12:11 pm

Another friend gone. RIP, John.

Jim Waldrop · Post by **Jim Waldrop** » 29 Sep 2011 2:38 pm

John was more than a friend to me he was also my teacher. For the last two years he taught me so much about playing steel I had to keep notes to remember it all. he wouldn't let me pay him anything for all his help. I tend to stay up around 12:00 to 1;00 every night and so did John. I am going to miss all those back and forth e-mails late at night. As kind and gentle as John was and the fact that he was a christian lets me know he is in a much better place

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Sep 2011 5:07 pm

sad news......I'm sorry to hear that he has passed on......

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 30 Sep 2011 11:46 am

No arrangements have been made at this point as Johns closest relatives are far out of town but his sister is supposed to call tomorrow and make a decision. His cousin told me that John wanted to be cremated so I don't know if there's going to be a service. More than likely the only ones to be present would be non family members.

Danny Newman · Post by **Danny Newman** » 30 Sep 2011 12:01 pm

So sorry to hear about ut my friend John Bechtel's passing. John and I go way back to his Pennsylvania days when he was playing with State Champion fiddler Curley Herdman. They played at Sleepy Hollow Ranch which was owned by Pete and Elmer Newman. Elmer was my dad. I had the great pleasure of working with John many times over the years. L8R John. RIP

Randy Gilliam · Post by **Randy Gilliam** » 30 Sep 2011 4:52 pm

Prayers sent For Big Johns Family and Many Friends, Randy Gilliam.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 30 Sep 2011 7:40 pm

John told me he was from the Phila area .. RIP John..

Todd Nalley · Post by **Todd Nalley** » 30 Sep 2011 8:35 pm

im sorry to hear this News im shocked i met the man and talked to him through here alot i will miss him so he was a great guy may he rest in peace and regaurds to his Family and friends Frank i know its hard on you for you were close you have my regaurds friends if you need to talk you know how to get me

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Prayers sent for the Family!