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| To John Dexter's family,
I know that there are no words that anyone else could possibly write
or say that will lift the grief that you must be feeling after the loss
of I have been part of the Xylan/Alcatel family since 1996 in the Utah office.
When I joined Xylan it was still a small family, and everyone was pulling
together to make a go of it. The first time I met John, I was in Calabasas
looking at a problem that we were having with the switches. He came up
to me and introduced himself and immediately asked my name. I introduced
myself and explained that I was an engineer from Utah looking at a problem.
From that day forward, he always greeted me I remember when we used to do the Friday Barbecues out back on the old campus, and John was always there overseeing things. His monumental efforts at Thanksgiving and Christmas always moved me. As if John didn't have enough to do at work, he took the extra time and energy to spread happiness to all of those children. John knew everyone in the Alcatel family by name, and was truly an icon.
Always a smile and a kind word. Every time I saw him, he brought a smile
to my face, and helped make those long difficult days a little bit easier
to take. His kindness and good cheer will be sorely missed. Once again with my sincere condolences for your great loss, |
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| John was one of the most compassionate, caring,
giving and selfless people I have ever met. I just can't say enough good
things about him. He always had a smile on his face, a bounce in his step,
and a warm greeting for anyone who crossed his path. He had such a passion
for helping people. He would do anything for anyone to make their life a
little easier, or to just brighten their day.
He will always be remembered for his annual Thanksgiving and Christmas
drives. His generosity has had such a big impact on so many families throughout
the community. Countless people have benefited greatly from his gifts,
but I think it is those of us who got to see him daily that experienced
the most joy. To us he was much more than a jolly man in a Santa suit.
We got to see what he did behind the scenes. We got to read his inspirational
emails soliciting money, food and gifts. We got to see him preparing months
in advance of the holidays. We got to hear him tell his emotional stories
about the people he touched. We got to see the real John, with the same
heart he had during the holidays, all year round. |
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| To John's Family:
I think EVERYONE has a kind word or 20,000 to say about John Dexter. We all loved John. I always loved seeing his smiling face as he said with true meaning, "How are you?" We would laugh and joke and smile as we would run into each other so often while he distributed the mail (my desk is right by the mail slots). I had told John about my children, whom asked me, "Mom, did he know about us?" I replied, "Yes, he knew about you." John made it a habit to know and care about everyone; especially about children. I remember last year being so excited to offer the little bit of help that I could, which was nothing compared to what he did, by getting cases of canned foods from my brother-in-laws warehouse. John and his brother pulled up at the same time my sister did, and loaded the cases right onto his truck. I cry now, remembering that moment. I had just asked my sister again, two weeks ago, if I could purchase food from my brother-in-law for John's drive, which would be starting soon. We want to continue in John's memory the work he left behind. This is what John would want---love and care for others. I know I was so very fortunate to have known John. I thank God that I had the opportunity to meet someone so lovely even though it was for a short while. John truly knew how to live his life, and so many of us need to learn to live the way John did. That is truly living. I heard on the radio this morning how Rod Caruthers made the statement, "People do not remember you for the car you drove, the house you lived in, or how much money you had. They remember you for the kindness you offered." This is how everyone will remember John. I know in my heart, with my beliefs, that this will not be the last time
that I see John. For I believe that he is the lucky one, and is now with
our creator!!! I also sit and think about John's name --- the Peace Maker!!!
How appropriate!!! |
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| As I sat down to write this I found it just about
impossible to continue because I kept choking. Finally, I gathered the strength
to continue since I wanted to share just some of the reasons I admired John
much.
First, there was his gentle sense of humor. He never used humor to put people down or offend them. Instead, he always had a quick, but pithy, joke or comment that would make you laugh out loud and brighten your day. In fact, John had this uncanny ability to know when you did need day brightener. I cannot count the number of times when I was feeling a little stressed or tired and he would make me laugh and I'd feel great instead of feeling blue. Second, there was his incredible generosity. He gave so much time, effort, and financial and other aid to help people who had so little. Although I'm sad now I start to feel better when I think of the hope he brought to homeless and seriously ill children and the second chances he helped bring to battered and abused women and children. Third, there was his unparalleled humility and concern for others. In his efforts to help others, John never touted his actions. Instead, he always focused on the people who needed help. He got the job done with a smile and a hearty laugh and without a word of complaint. Fourth, there was his amazing ability to inspire people to do noble and worthy things. I don't know how he did it, but John was able to share his boundless enthusiasm for helping others. I have seen charity drives at other places that were like trips to the dentist. John, however, made his charity drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas feel like an "E Ticket" ride at Disneyland. You couldn't help but feel like you were on top of the world. All of these great things about John, plus the countless others I didn't
mention, make me realize how much I and everyone else who had the privilege
of working with him will miss him. Now that I'm feeling sad again I started
to think that John would have been able to say or do something that would
help us through this sad time. What helps me now to feel less sad is to
remind myself that John's legacy of kindness and generosity made and will
continue to make in the lives of so many people. |
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| John Dexter was a people magnet. Whenever he
passed by on his rounds he would make a point of saying hello. But his greetings were much more than that, He always seemed to add a knowing nod, or a look. He had a way of making me feel like I was one of his good buddies, part of his inner circle. The jokes and casual banter were just a way of extending that momentary contact in the course of the day. The amazing thing is that he did that with everyone he came in contact with. Turns out everyone was his pal. We all know about the important work he did during the holidays, his God speed John Dexter. I know you have been greeted with the same |
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| Dear Johnny
D. (nickname) and Family,
When I think of Johnny D., things like Happy-go-Lucky, Mr. Generosity, and KING Big-Heart come to mind. When I recall seeing Johnny D., I saw someone who always made a point of noticing and greeting me. Johnny, you never passed me by without saying HELLO, not once! You made me feel special! And, you always made sure to tell me to say hello to "the Tone-ster"! You cared about... my sweetheart... who was important to me! When you heard Johnny D. speak, you could hear a smile in his voice! When you knew Johnny D., you witnessed a humanitarian and relentless GIVER! When you read Johnny D.'s sweet emails, we found ourselves drawn to charity through his compassion for our fellow man. When you remember Johnny D., we realize we've been touched by an angel! When you honor Johnny D., we pick up the torch of his passions... ... to bring Thanksgiving
to the less fortunate No goodbye's here... just take care until we can see you again! We love and miss you. |
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