Vale - John Ward

[harrry]

Stickman is to be congratulated for his warts and all portrait of a good man with many problems.

[Old Croc]

Stickmans article was very interesting and certainly filled in a few gaps in my knowledge of John's life.

There were also a number of inaccuracies in his story.

These inaccuracies, first stated in a previous Stickman article about him, is what caused his outburst against Stickman when they met at a border crossing some months back.

Some of the details about his life with his mother in Australia were patently incorrect as well. On several occassions he would cease Skype calls to me because he had to take his mother (The Old Bag) to doctors appointments or the shops. He also had to clean up her mess in the bathroom when she could no longer look after herself properly. He was not totally out of touch with her!

Incidently his share of the estate was only 25% because his ex had visited from the UK and wheedled her way into the mother's will. This is what caused him most anger against his ex and their daughter.

Certainly a character, his return from Coffs Harbour to Thailand, and the goods he carried, is a story in itself!

[mahtin]

RIP and thanks for the tip on opening a bank account at Suk 33.

[jubby]

RIP GungaDin.

Hope you get to do that planned road trip next time round ;-)

[Tippaporn]

I knew John best as Udon. He was temperamental at times, most certainly. But his good heart more than overshadowed his occasional crankiness. I've experienced his generosity towards people in need, some of them mere strangers he befriended here on TV, on more than a few occasions. Unfortunately, over the years we never had the opportunity to meet in person.

I'm happy that he was able to spend his last years in Thailand. There were setbacks to his return but he finally made it late '08 and I know it gave him great joy to return.

Cheers, John, and may your joyous journeys continue.

Tip

[mrtoad]

Having read the article on Blackie on Stickman site, what a fascinating story - characters like him will always live on, wherever they are.

[Jockstar]

Met GD or formerly Udon back in 2006 at the Thai food festival in Sydney. We shared a few beers and a few laughs. Had him on my Skype. But never had the chance to catch up again. RIP big guy.

[Tippaporn]

Just got done reading Stickman's article about John. Very nice. It brought back some of my memories of John. The reference to his Suk soi 26 condo becoming a kennel for stray dogs reminded me of the parrots he kept while he was in Coffs Harbour. He'd have trouble finding parrot supplies he'd want and would have me purchase items from the U.S. and send them whenever I come back.

It was funny, too, that Stickman mentioned John's gravely voice and his aspirations to be on the airwaves. I remember being back in the U.S. on one occasion, talking with John on Skype. I was staying with a good friend of mine and his wife. His wife happened to be in the room while John and I were talking and she just had to remark that John had the perfect voice for radio.

For those who knew John Stickman's recounting is a memorable read.

[daleyboy]

I've just found out the very sad news. It is true he could be a grumpy old git, but he was always there for me to offer help and advice when I needed it. And this was from a man I had never met face to face. We always managed to have a laugh even when one or the other was feeling low.

Take care John and don't forget to check your hovercraft in case it's full of eels

[rixalex]

Thanks to OldCroc for posting this sad news. What a loss.

[jayjayjayjay]

GungaDin, guess your enjoying spicy Tom Yum in that unknown place. RIP mate.

[thaicbr]

Just to let all of John's friends know that the Cremation Of John Ward aka Gungadin, Blackie, Udon. Will be on Saturday.

This is a copy of the email received from the Funeral company.

I also attach a map to the Wat.

GPS 13.604284,100.712456 the Crematorium is opposite the temple.

Map to Crematorium (1).xls

Dear Khun Allan, Please find detail of the crematorium at Wat Bang Plee Yai Nai , Samutprakarn as attached.We plan to have cremation for late Mr.John Ward on Saturday 14 Aug 2010 at 1:30 - 2:00 pm.Please let us know if you require further information. Best Regard Yaowalux K.Office Manager

John Allison Monkhouse Co.,Ltd ( Thailand )Suite 101, S16 Building256/9 Sukhumvit soi 16,Klongtoey, Klongtoey,Bangkok 10110 Thailand T: +66 (0) 2382 5345-7F: +66 (0) 2261 7939M: +66 (0) 81 868 1681E: cholchai(at)monkhouse.com.auW: www.monkhouse.com.au

Edited August 11, 2010 by thaicbr

[thaicbr]

Just to add if you would like to attend and pay your respects please PM me so we can Organise everything.

Thank You

Allan

[Crossy]

Thanks Thaicbr. We're not going to be able to make the funeral but please have a beer (or two) with John for us

Dave and Id.

RIP Mate, you'll not be forgotten.

Edited August 11, 2010 by Crossy

[GungaDinJunior]

Hi

As many of you will have already guessed, I'm Emma Ward, John's daughter.

Thank you for all the kind words of remembrance so many of you have taken the time to add to this thread. Whilst my Father and I were estranged for a time, it is comforting to know that he was fondly remembered by so many.

For those cruel members of this forum who are intent on showing a lack of respect for me and other members of Dad's family, however, might I remind you that there are always at least two sides to every story. Whilst many of you will have known Dad as Blackie, John Udon or GungaDin, none of you knew my Dad quite like me. At the age of 35, I've seen Dad at his best, his worst and everything in between.

Having read Stickman's article, I can't speak for Dad's time in Bangkok (except to inform you that I was the one who paid for Pen's release fee) but Stickman's interpretation of Dad's life and relationships in Australia were upsetting and wholly inaccurate.

Finally and possibly most importantly, I would like to thank thaicbr for all his help over recent weeks.

Regards and many thanks for your kind remarks everyone,

Emma

[Lite Beer]

If you look down at the bottom of the main page you will see that it would have been his birthday today.

[Ulysses G.]

I did not know him, but enjoyed Stickman's article. he sounds as if he was interesting to know!

[GungaDinJunior]

The buddha has left the building in search of the ultimate prawn cutlet in the sky...

Good luck and safe trip.

E x

[Mcthai]

My first encounter with Gungadin, blackadder or whatever psuedonym he finally went out on was in his eerrmmm humble dwellings in Southampton in the UK 10 years ago next month. Despite the nature of the cook book filled, take away food and latest gadget packaging and multiple tinned foods environment he managed to care for 2 beautiful puppies, one of which had the grumpiness, short term memory and table manners of gungadin but I much rathered having the puppy fall asleep on my lap than the late gungadin. Oh, and it was easier to blame the puppy for wetting the bed

A more, technically obsessed and gadget driven individual I have yet to meet (gungadin, not the puppy). His motivation from the time we met until the final time we met was always to make life easier for himself regardless of the toes he stood on or the noses he put out of joint, his brash nature has already been referenced on this forum. Despite this, even the harshest personalities have a heart in there somehwere and although very infrequent the gestures of decency and generousity will have been very genuine. I'm sure that somewhere wiithin him he will regret the huge loss of not keeping his family around him, knowing his family as I do it is his great loss.

It was to say the least, interesting to know him.. many people will miss his wit and unpredictable manner.

Thanks for the Red Ford Escort, scoop, cookbooks, stereo, Fridge, clothes horse, shelving, the introduction to prawn cutlets and most importantly... the Warthog.

An old aquaintance..

[actiondell4]

There s going to be a book written.

[sillyman99]

There s going to be a book written.

A book about what ?

[powderpuff]

Can someone post a link to the Stickman article? Thanks. RIP Gunga.

[saraburioz]

Can someone post a link to the Stickman article? Thanks. RIP Gunga.

Google "stickman blackie"

[sillyman99]

Can someone post a link to the Stickman article? Thanks. RIP Gunga.

Google "stickman blackie"

Having read Stickman's article, I can't speak for Dad's time in Bangkok (except to inform you that I was the one who paid for Pen's release fee) but Stickman's interpretation of Dad's life and relationships in Australia were upsetting and wholly inaccurate.

[Ulysses G.]

Having read Stickman's article, I can't speak for Dad's time in Bangkok (except to inform you that I was the one who paid for Pen's release fee) but Stickman's interpretation of Dad's life and relationships in Australia were upsetting and wholly inaccurate.

Emma

sillyman99

It looks like you are trying to quote this post, by John Ward's daughter but did not finish. Did you have a point?

Edited November 13, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[smokie36]

RIP GungaDin/Udon your kindness to this newbie is not forgotten.

:jap:

[Beetlejuice]

Read the Stickman article and thought it was well written and well described, but, and it`s a big BUT; Do not publish sensitive material that gives suggestions of criminal, immoral, bizarre or irresponsible behaviour of an individual. This can cause hurt and suffering to family members and this should be taken into consideration that obviously Stickman hasn't. Everyone has their opinions of people but we are looking at a one sided view and Stickman has used the advantage of his popular website to get his assumption of someone's charactor across to the general public. This is bad Internet etiquette and non-professional practice in my opinion.

I hope his daughter will have fond memories of the good side of her father; it appears he was just a normal guy, perhaps a bit of a charactor, who tried to enjoy life to the full and maybe went in a little above his head sometimes. But we have all done on occasions, some we win, some we lose.

Edited November 13, 2010 by Beetlejuice

[Boo]

Thanks Beetlejuice, I wanted to post that myself.

If that were written about my dad I would be devasted, even if true there is a level of decorum missing in posting such excessive info about someone who is not around to defend himself. I wonder if SM had permission from John before he passed to post such revealing information?

[Old Croc]

I was in, almost, daily contact with John for a number of years leading up to his death, including the time he was living in Sydney with his mother.

Natually we would talk about our daily activities, which in his case would include trips to doctors and shops with his mother and also meals he prepared for both. He loved to cook and used to make his speciality, a masaman curry, often. He slept in a bedroom in the house, but had his computer set up in a shed outside.

This is so far removed from Stickmans description of his living style and relationship with his mother it makes SM out to be a liar or a fool. I know he had issues with SM, and another Kiwi mate of his, and it is likely he fed him tall stories during their infrequent contacts. It would be just like John.

While mainly accurate, Stickman had some of the details about John's life in Bangkok out of whack. He was very angry at SM for a previous story he had written about him and vented this anger at him the last time they crossed paths.

John was a character, he talked freely about himself, including those things which may be considered illegal. He didn't try to hide any part of his life.

[geriatrickid]

Howzabout letting a dead man lie in peace?