John Astleford-Jastco

[firko]

Well known American aftermarket parts manufacturer John Astleford of JASTCO has apparently taken seriously ill and has shut his business down as of January 1st. No news of what exactly is ailing John but it doesn't sound very positive according to the below post exchange on the Cousin Weedy CZ site.
I've bought various bibs and bobs from John over the years and always found his parts to be fantastic and dealings with him to be a classic example of southern charm. He sent me a very nice supportive email when Ray Ryan died.

I have done a lot of business with the JASTCO company over the last three years.
I had a CNC'd pipe bracket break and sent them an email asking if they warranty
the part. The following is news that I never expected. So my best to John.
Thought I would let you all know.
DAve

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your email.
John is seriously ill in the hospital and not likely to be able to
work again. The business has been closed as of the first of the
year. I will talk to John when I see him and see if he has any
suggestions.

John's dad

[Rossvickicampbell]

Firko - this is bad news.  I too have bought some small bits and pieces but when I asked for help with 3rd gear in my Elsinore (yes that problem) mate he was the first to offer some suggestions and ideas.

 

[bazza]

delt with john for red rocket bits a true VMXER sorry to hear the news

[firko]

Atlanta Motorcycle Club Members:

John Astleford's father has contacted the club to let us know that John is back
in the hospital, fighting his battle with cancer.

John's father believes that John would be pleased to hear from club members.
Unfortunately, John is not up to taking telephone calls, but his father prints
out emails and reads them to John during visits.

Please, if you can, drop John an email or card to encourage him during this
time. John's email address is [email protected]. If you would like to send a
card, it can be addressed to John, in care of Eastside Medical Center, Room 229.

Eastside Medical Center
1700 Medical Way
Snellville, GA 30078
Telephone: (770)979-0200
Fax: (770)736-2395
You May Also Visit Us At http://www.emoryeastside.com

We have not heard whether or not John is able to have visitors. We will keep
the club's website (www.atlantamc.com) updated on John's status as we get more
information.

John has been a key figure in conducting vintage trials competitions for many
years. Any support that you can give John and his father during this time would
be appreciated. As always, please keep John and his father in your thoughts and
prayers.

Mark Phillips
Secretary

[090]

Seems condolences are in order. RIP.
That cancer scares the hell out of me. So indiscriminate and cruel.
A friend buried his wife on Christmas eve and left four boys alone, three under 15.

[firko]

That cancer scares the hell out of me. So indiscriminate and cruel.

Cancer sure is an insideous disease Brad. We've nearly all felt it on some sort of personal level and as a movement we were confronted with it with taking out Ray Ryan, Karel Morlang, Magoo and others so mercilessly.

I didn't know John Astleford personally but had purchased some of his beautifully machined parts over the years and we'd exchanged emails and a couple of phonecalls over the years. He came across as a nice bloke with one of the best southern accents you'd ever hear. He showed genuine surprise that he sold so many parts to Aussies, thinking it was great that our sport was such a 'global family' with little concern for the borders or oceans that seperated us. When Ray Ryan died I received a very warm and unexpected email from John that so obviously came from the heart.
I hope he didn't suffer too much in his final battle and wish his family all of the strength they'll need in the coming months.

[Rossvickicampbell]

so Firko - I am a bit confused (courtesy of Brads info) - is John in hospital or has he passed away?

[firko]

Sadly, he's as dead as a dodo Ross. John died after my first post and Brad just updated the status, that's all.
There's been a lot of tributes to him on various forums and sites. Apparently John was a guru of sorts in the Jawa two stroke scene. He'd raced a 1963 Jawa type 579/01 on which he won an AHRMA title. In recent times he'd been competing in classic trials on a Sherpa T. http://www.jastco.com/

[jimg1au]

 cousinweedy@yahoogroups
 Forwarded message 1/14/11

It is with great sorrow to let you know that John Astleford III passed away on Wednesday
morning at the Emory Eastside hospital in Snellville, GA.

There will be a memorial service this coming Sunday afternoon as
noted below. His friends are invited to attend the service.

We will all miss him greatly.

John Astleford Jr. his dad


Smoke Rise Baptist Church
Church Chapel
5901 Hugh Howell Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
Rev. Ernie Forrester, Associate Pastor, officiating

Time - 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 16, 2011
Church Chapel http://www.smokerisebaptist.org/

[maicomc490t]

That is terrible news.

I bought a very slick chain guide from John and you couldn't have dealt with a nicer, more helpful person.

The world was a brighter place for his time spent on it !

Dave Mac 

[motomaniac]

Very sad to hear it, a genuine enthusiast and nice guy. I had a bit of correspondence with him over the years .He will be missed.

[YZ250H]

Sad news indeed.  Johns products were of the highest quality.  RIP John.