In TV news you run into a wide range of characters. There's the prima donna anchors, the married reporter who flaunts his affair with the intern, the weekend anchor who can't get to the set in time for the show to hit air, the sports guys who don't know how to script what they want but expect you to read their minds and give it to them anyway, and don't EVEN get me started on the weather girl.
And then, there was John Wilson.
John was one of the good guys. He looked a little like Santa Claus, and was just as jolly. He was a sports photographer, and he was well loved throughout the competitive world of media people across middle TN. He always had time for a kind word and a smile - even years later when we were no longer co-workers.
John was killed last weekend in a house fire while he was sleeping. As a testament to his character, I learned about it by watching a competing news station to the one we worked at together, who gave a very nice tribute to his life.
John was 65 years old, and he lived a full life doing what he loved. May we all be so lucky. And be remembered so well.
