Most of us know his name, we know he was a singer, but lesser known was his life
as an environmentalist and a humanitarian. Yes, he was a great singer and entertainer.
We know he loved the Rocky Mountains. It is a fact that in his lifetime he recorded
and released nearly 300 songs, about 140 of which he had written. He was so much more
than a singer and songwriter. His work touched and changed a world.

He was a rare and wonderful combination of gifted performer and an extraordinary man
who cared deeply for the environment. In 1976 he co-founded Windstar Foundation, an
environmental organization. The non-profit environmental education and research center
strives for a healthy future for the world. He felt his celebrity would draw greater
visibility to the environmental causes he championed.

In 1977 President Jimmy Carter asked him to serve as a member of the President’s
Commission on World and Domestic Hunger. He took it one step further and personally
co-founded The Hunger Project. Continuing his commitment to the people of the world.

The child of an Air Force family, his upbringing included moving to various cities
in the southwest. He was a shy awkward child who kept to himself. At a young age his
grandmother gave him a Gibson acoustic guitar. It became an extension of his body as he
carried it wherever he went. He wrote his first song shortly after receiving it. This
simple song titled, A Lazy Little Stream, gave birth to his merging of music and nature
that would become his trademark style.

As a young man, while attending Texas Tech University, he began performing in
local clubs. His popularity grew quickly, which encouraged him to quit school much to
his parent’s dismay. He auditioned for and became a member of The Mitchell Trio as
their acoustic guitarist. Friends encouraged him to change his name so it would fit on
record labels. He adopted the name Denver in honor of the home he loved.

The Mitchell Trio’s popularity decreased and John decided to go solo. He bravely
moved to Los Angeles. Still shy, he spent many days writing alone while performing in
small clubs in the evenings to pay the bills. His big break came when Peter, Paul and
Mary recorded a song he wrote called Leaving on a Jet Plane. He was on his way.

His gentle, environmentally conscious music established him as a beloved folk singer
of the 70’s to most people, while others panned his work as saccharine and dull. His fan
base grew nonetheless, and in time his work would bring him world-renowned fame.
Even those who criticized him knew his songs by heart. There was just something about
his music that drew people in. A kindness we all longed for in music and in the world.
We found it in his music gratefully.

Ever present on his mind was his love for his home and family. He met and married
Annie in 1967, and they brought two children into their lives and moved back to Colorado
to raise them. John’s music continued to speak fondly of his home and the people there.

As his fame grew, he paid little attention to the hype. He continued his work for
The Windstar Foundation, as well as established a new venture, Windsong Recording. His
environmental causes continued to consume him more than his celebrity. This would remain
true for the rest of his life. He balanced both aspects of his life with an ease that those
around him admired.

Jim Henson, the puppeteer and creator of the Muppets, became one of John’s best friends.
John agreed to perform on Jim’s new Muppets show against the advice of others. It was said
that it would only encourage his critics to see him as too sweet. He did it anyway. It was
something John would continue to do whenever he was asked. He loved children and they
were drawn to him. Each of his televisions specials featured children gazing admirably up as
they watched him sing. This was true for adults as well. He touched us like few entertainers
did. We believed in goodness through him.

While he successfully maintained parallel careers as an entertainer and a humanitarian,
he also added television and feature film acting to his resume. His soft-spoken gentle manner
transferred to film well and those efforts too, brought acclaim. It was as if he couldn’t lose.

As his overwhelming fame lessened, he gladly settled into a quieter life. Shortly
thereafter the world was saddened to learn of his divorce from Annie. John was said to
be devastated and withdrew to his home. He took up golf, and often gave his time to
participate in golf tournament benefits. Few knew he was also an avid painter.
When his travels took him from his easel, he brought along his cameras. His first
photography showing was a benefit for the Windstar Foundation.

John remarried a singer named Cassandra Delaney and they had a daughter together.
That marriage too, would be ill fated. He had been a pilot since the 70’s and returned
to it with a flourish. He had always been in love with being in the clouds. It brought
home to him the need to protect our environment. His work as a champion for nature
took on an increased importance.

John continued appearing on the television specials of other celebrities as well as
hosting his own. He cast a spell among his viewers. We had no choice but to be taken in.
He won many awards in his career. His music garnered fourteen gold albums and eight
platinum albums in the U.S alone. In 1996 John was thrilled to be inducted into the
Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

Today, millions of fans remain entranced by his work. His music is more relevant
than ever before as our world continues to need what he stood for. His humanitarian work
continues to strengthen our world and lives on after him. He gave us many gifts during
his time here. His life should be an inspiration to us all.

He died doing what he loved, soaring among the clouds. It was his wish to die
doing what he loved. While we are saddened at the loss of him, we are fortunate to
have the work he left behind. It was always meant to be his gift to us. His voice
continues to encourage us to take care of the world we live in, and the people in it.

Annie Thomas-Burke

This tribute is the property of Worth Remembering Publishing © 2006.

This tribute is shown as an example of a four page tribute.
written by Scribe Services Owner, Annie Thomas-Burke for
Worth Remembering Publishing books titled, Men Worth Remembering.