John always had a smile.  But, my favorite memory of John is, once, when playing at Stony Point, John had set a pick.  I was so focused on guarding my man I didn’t see him.  I ran into “Big John” full tilt, promptly bouncing backwards about three feet and landing on my butt!   He, of course, hadn’t moved, but solicitously inquired if I was hurt……!   

John Naylor also known as Big Guy or my other uncle John.  I can’t remember a forth of July when we were kids that John wasn’t there a big kid enjoying time with his big kid friends my dad and uncles. His laugh was infectious. He had a reverence for my mother and spoke of her with respect in all things cause of an incident with my brother  where she stood toe to toe with him and earned his respect. I think that respect is what allowed Evelyn and mom to become good friends. he was one of the few people who called my dad out when he did wrong and didn’t end up out of a relationship. He was one of the few adults who listened to what I said, like it mattered, when I was a kid ( and for someone who at the time didn’t have a lot of self confidence in conversation) that meant a lot to me. I could always tell he was the one calling when I’d here “hey kiddo, is your dad there” (Even now when I’m in my late thirties he’d use that phrase and I wouldn’t have it any other way)  in a voice that was always distinctly his. I will miss him and will always be sad that I didn’t spend more time with him.  He was great man, a loving husband, father, and grand father and great friend. 

Met John in the early 70s, played volleyball for many years together. Traveled the Midwest with a team he put together with players from the YMCA. He would play softball with my wife (Diane), and our family team. He was like family to us. 

Met john through basketball and enjoyed playing against him for years. We had the same body type so usually had to defend each other. He had a big smile and i knew he enjoyed  being able to continue games from our youth. Prayers for his family.

I met John on the basketball court at St Pats Church and School on Sunday afternoons in the late 1970’s. It was a natural bonding experience for all of us as we had 5 or 6 guys and his group was about the same size. For several months we didn’t exchange phone numbers, we just all showed up and played basketball. It was the highlight of our social week.  Our outdoor basketball careers lasted 10-15 years, year round, before we finally started renting gyms in KCK and Bonner Springs. I will always remember his left handed shooting ability and his tough defense.  John was a gentle giant and often acted as referee between the players.
4 or 5 years ago Bonnie and I reconnected with John and Evelyn at the YMCA.  John and I taught Elijah and Scarlett how to play 2 on 2 water basketball.  his love of swimming and exercising in the pool was always an inspiration to me. 

I was known as "stretch "to him  he had a laugh that I can't explain but you knew it was his if you knew him I remember hearing such a laugh when he and my dad and uncles played basketball at Stony point school when I was a kid rest in piece big guy 

To him, I was known as “Counselor” because I always told him I was going to grow up to be a lawyer when I got older. To me, he was my “Big Guy Buddy”.  So many of the things I love now came from his influence: Sci-fi stories like The Star Wars and Star Trek novelizations. The  only reason I joined the volleyball team in middle school was because of him showing me how to serve and return the ball.  Same goes for tennis: I never personally played , but He taught me how the game was scored and we discussed the Breakfast at Wimbledon matches every Fourth of July when he came out to the farm especially during the Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras years.  I’ll never forget all of the gun shows, hockey games, buffets, and basketball games I attended with him. He was a man that loved life and he really invited everyone he knew into the things he cared about making them love the activities too. I’m really going to miss him!  I will always remember how he never failed to remind me about the time he nearly wrecked his Jeep slamming on his brakes while he had been doing about 60 mph along Parallel Parkway when he heard me say a naughty word in front of Trish. Every time he told me that story I would say, “I don’t recall me ever saying anything like THAT-this particular Onasch doesn’t even know how to swear!” He always got a good laugh out of the idea that one of George’s kids-even a daughter-wouldn’t have picked up some of his foul language!

OBITUARY

Big John Naylor

August 19, 1952 – October 26, 2021

Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens

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