John Fletcher

Profile Updated: April 28, 2022
Residing In: Arlington, TX USA
Homepage: www.thefletch.org
Profession: Public Relations & Marketing Strategist
Spouse/Partner: Girlfriend is Rebecca. Absolutely AMAZING!
Children: 2 -- Drew & Katie -- both grown and with their own awesome children!
"Name" I prefer to use now-a-days:

Went by Bubba then, so John or Bubba is fine. Many call me Fletch - which is perfect since the next FLETCH movie comes out later this year - producers have misappropriated my name yet again, only with Jon Hamm instead of Chevy Chase this time.

email address:

john@thefletch.org

Mailing Address:

940 Meadow Oaks Drive
Arlington, TX 76010

Birthplace:

Hospital (OK, in San Antonio)

How I prefer to spend my time:

Watching favorite movies, occasional golf or tennis, having good conversations with friends, and travel. Doing whatever Rebecca asks me to do.

Grandchildren:

Grandsons 11 and 8, granddaughter 11 (our younger granddaughter died at age 7 of medical complications, and she was a true joy for us all - a real sparkplug!

Pet(s):

3-legged kitten (It's a LONNNNNG story!) named Snowball and a Morkie puppy named Doc (has all 4 legs and Doc did NOT perform the surgery on Snowball!)

Best PHS Memory, Teacher, Activity or Event:

Cathy Munson convinced me that we deserved to skip out on class one day during May of our senior year, so we went down to Forest Park and rode the train and just hung out, doing nothing.

Tennis trips were great, particularly my soph year -- we had a great team. We won district and got to Regional finals my senior year. Almost made it to State!

Fave teacher of all: History teacher DEAN COZINE. What a blast that he joined us for the 45th anniversary. He just stood there admiring the adults that we had all become. He had such a passion for teaching. Others were French teacher, Ms. Wiley, and Latin teacher, Ms. Wilcox.

Other great memory: being a member of PSOP and having dinner before or after football and basketball games at Bonanza on University Drive. It was just fun to hang out as a group, especially any time that we beat Arlington Heights. Oh yes, and burgers at Merry-Go-Round!

Which Elementary School(s) did you attend?

Alice Carlson

Which Junior High School(s) did you attend?

McLean

Did you go to Pre-school, Dance, Music, Art, Theatre, Sports or other activities?

Started playing tennis during elementary school (Alice Carlson). John Wortham's father gave my first lessons and got me interested. Dance lessons from Leito's Studio -- I was terrible and afraid of girls back then. I've overcome it a bit. Finally realized that girls did NOT have Cooties.

Did you go to Summer Camp?

Camp Carter when younger and then Tut Bartzen's T-Bar-M Tennis Camps

Did you have a summer job or volunteer while at Paschal?

Mowing the yard because my older brother was smarter than me. He would intentionally butcher the yard when he mowed and - as the younger brother - I'd do anything to stand out. We received the same allowance and he didn't have to do anything. But I still loved pleasing Mom and Dad!

What might we never guess about you?

My daughter once asked me, "Dad, just how good were you in tennis?" I replied that i was INDIRECTLY the #1 tennis player in the world. When I was 18, I beat Tommy Roberts (then 16). When he was 14, he beat Dale Ogden (then 12). At 16, Dale beat Jake Ward, who had a win over Jimmy Connors, who had wins over Pete Sampras, who was the #1.

So, indirectly, I have wins over Connors, Sampras, Roddick, Federer, Nadal and everyone else!

Also, I'm naturally shy but have learned to have fun in group settings as an adult.

Habits you might still have?

I still love Dr Pepper, still don't smoke or drink alcohol (always had plenty of fun without it)

Favorite Books:

The Bible; Dave's Way (about Wendy's founder Dave Thomas); Being Rapoport by Bernard Rapoport (old friend); Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard. Favorite newer books are "The Go Giver" and "When God Winks at You" - truly inspirational.

If you haven't read any of the Godwinks books, email or call me and I'll send you one. I'm a huge fan of the author, SQuire Rushnell. He's also the producer of the Godwinks Christmas movies on Hallmark - always the top-rated faith movies on the Hallmark Channel.

Favorite Movies:

Obviously - Fletch, and Fletch Lives! Then The Princess Bride (we attended the Quote-along in 2017, where the audience quoted the most famous lines as they played, and the hero, Carey Elwes, gave a 45-minute Q&A after the movie showing - oh so memorable!), Chariots of Fire, Dave. On the 25th anniversary tour of The Princess Bride, Rebecca and I attended the

Favorite Music:

Moody Blues, Beatles, Hollies, Chicago, Garth Brooks (going to see him on July 30 in Fort Worth), Alabama (saw them last fall in Fort Worth), Radney Foster

Favorite Ice Cream:

My own custom flavor that I have made: chocolate chip cookie dough with chunks of fudge, caramel swirls, crunched waffle cone and coconut; #2 is Curly's Frozen Custard -- Parker County Peach flavor

Favorite Destination(s):

Bermuda -- totally secluded, stunning views. This time I want to stay at the Reefs Hotel. Loved the views, food, leisure and golf. I envy Harper Jones (we knew each other as "Bubba" growing up - He's Bubba #1 and I'm Bubba #2 - for having lived in the Virgin Islands. We want to go to St. Thomas and to Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii.

Since our 50th Reunion, tell us where you’ve traveled, what you’re doing, how do you like to spend your time?

Didn't go anywhere during the pandemic but we're looking forward to some fun travel soon.

On my "Bucket List"...

1. Last but not least - see SO MANY of our PHS Panthers at the 50th Reunion and learn how well their lives turned out!
2. This one has actually come true: Saw my old PHS history teacher Dean Cozine (IT CAME TRUE in 2014-- Brought him to the Friday reception and Saturday zoo party) to tell him the profound impact that he has had upon my life. WE STILL STAY IN TOUCH!
3. See the group IL DIVO live in concert in a real outdoor coliseum. Sadly, one of the members died recently.
4. Attend Wimbledon tennis championships.
5. Return to play in the Vancouver Open, the second oldest lawn tennis tournament (behind Wimbledon) in the world -- have already played there twice.
6. Have lunch with Warren Buffett (I'm sure that I am on HIS bucket list, too)
7. Play 18 holes of golf with stunning view on each hole.
8. Fly with the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels (when our federal budget allows)
9. Fly again in a stunt airplane doing barrel roles and other maneuvers (have done once, want to do it again).
10. Dinner with former CBS anchor man Bob Schieffer. My father gave Bob his first paid broadcasting job at KXOL Radio while Bob was a student at TCU. We're working on setting a date.

How did you hear about our PHS'69 website?

Ned James and Sue Bailey. SO glad that Ned stepped up to chair this reunion and that Sue is well and will join us very soon!

John's Latest Interactions

John Fletcher has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Mar
08
Mar 08, 2024 at 9:36 AM

Hank and I attended Alice Carlson Elementary, McLean, and Paschal together, and we played together - both Hank and his brother Beau - for one year of youth baseball on the KXOL Cubs team. He was really good and he was also a fast runner. Extremely fast!

One of my favorite memories of Hank was at Paschal when some guy said something mean to him. Hank just smiled and said, "And I love you, too!" When I asked him about his reply, he said that was how he preferred to respond to bullies.

What a nice guy!

I called Hank in November to tell him about this year's reunion and he said he didn't think he could make it. He had worked hard and succeeded in business and was looking forward to retiring and traveling. Unfortunately, his serious health issues were preventing him from enjoying his golden years.

We are all better people for having been Hank's friend.

John Fletcher posted a message.
Jul
17
Jul 17, 2023 at 4:30 PM

Thank you, Ned and Chris. You're two of my favorite friends every and we had so much fun, from tennis to Burger's Lake and, of course, Paschal. After being off Dr Pepper for 1,204 days, I gave in to the cravings. Ah, yes... that sweet nectar!!! Bubba

John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2023 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Feb 13, 2023 at 9:20 AM

I remember one of his comments that he used frequently. Instead of just agreeing with something, he would say, "Ya ain't wrong!"

Because Trey and Chris Sumrow were such longtime friends, that opened the door for me to get to experience Trey a little.

What a fond memory.

John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2022 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher updated his profile. View.
Apr 28, 2022 at 10:46 PM
John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2021 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2020 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher has left an In Memory comment for Robert Irvin.
Aug 25, 2019 at 7:33 AM

Robert was such a nice guy, and he always had this mischievous smile that implied, “I know something you don’t know.” And since he was so smart, he definitely did know things we didn’t know. He also has this calming presence and sense of confidence.

I did have the opportunity to visit with him for a while at our 50th reunion, so I’ll have that memory of our last visit together. 

John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2019 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher posted a message.
Jun 04, 2019 at 10:15 PM

Here Ned James and I are returning Raschal the Paschal Panther to Paschal on Monday afternoon. Ned and I became best friends in elementary school and here we are now... just a couple years later! I had to watch out because Raschal was leaping for me.

KUDOS to Ned and the entire 50th Reunion Committee for planning and fulfilling an absolutely AMAZING weekend!

Bubba/John

John Fletcher added a photo to his profile gallery.
May 11, 2019 at 8:55 AM
Rebecca and I are with Peter Noone from Herman's Hermits after a 2017 Arlington concert. I saw Herman's Hermits when my Dad at KXOL brought the group to Will Rogers Coliseum when I was 14 -- more than a few years ago. He was a nice guy and is an outstanding entertainer!
John Fletcher has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Apr 10, 2019 at 11:33 AM

Liz always had such a friendly smile and was so nice to everyone at Paschal. We will definitely miss seeing her. I'll keep Liz and her family in my prayers.

 

John Fletcher posted a message.
Feb 06, 2019 at 7:51 PM

I am really looking forward to our 50th reunion this spring. Thanks to the incredible work that our classmate Sue Bailey has given over so many years to bring us all together and the committee that Ned James is leading, we owe it to ourselves to make this a priority and have an amazing time. The Class of '69 truly is... SO FINE!

John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2018 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2017 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Dec 07, 2016 at 11:33 AM

Danny was a great friend at Paschal. I thought of him as a gentle giant and wondered how he could make himself do battle against other football teams because he WAS such a nice guy. Danny and I had a brief visit at the PantherCare party and we all would have spent more time with him had we known it would be our final opportunity. He was such a wonderful person...

John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2016 at 3:33 AM
John Fletcher has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.
Jun 03, 2016 at 11:33 AM

I was so sorry to hear about Jimbo's passing. We were neighbors two doors down from each other on Medford Court E. We used to race about a quarter mile (it seemed like 2-3 miles at the time as kids). I would go slow and steady and Jimbo would sprint and then walk. It was really intimidating to race him. He always won. In this case, the hare beat the turtle. He was always nice to me and had this incredible smile!

John (Bubba) Fletcher

John Fletcher has a birthday today.
Jul 17, 2015 at 3:34 AM
Posted: May 11, 2019 at 9:04 AM
Rebecca and I are with Peter Noone from Herman's Hermits after a 2017 Arlington concert. I saw Herman's Hermits when my Dad at KXOL brought the group to Will Rogers Coliseum when I was 14 -- more than a few years ago. He was a nice guy and is an outstanding entertainer!