To a fan's family, a letter of comfort

To a fan's family, a letter of comfort

     "It was never an 'in' thing to be a fan of John Denver, but he had a ton of fans," says Matt Welch.

    The Tucson businessman, whose sister died of diabetes in 1978, will never forget Denver's kindness.  He met Denver and told him how much comfort his family drew from his songs.  Sunshine was played at her funeral.

     The singer wrote Welch's mother a letter on July 15, 1980.  It said:  "...death is not an ending, but a symbol of movement along the path which we are all traveling.  As it may be painful to lose contact with the physical aspect of one we love, the spirit can never be lost.  We have been and always wil be a part of each other."

   The letter ended:  "Peace, John Denver."