February 29, 1948 �" October 14, 2012
John Barnes Compton passed from this world on October 14, 2012, in San Diego, his home since 2006. Born February 29, 1948, in Bronxville, New York and raised in Darien, Connecticut, John lived for most of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was both a gifted gardener and dancer. He worked with John Carr Landscaping on many fine gardens in San Francisco. From his home on Bernal Hill, his gardening extended to the nearby Esmeralda Stairs. He spent the last six years creating a lovely, serene southern California garden. As a dancer, John was a legend in the belly dance world. John and Rita Alderucci formed the Hahbi'Ru Dance Ensemble in 1992. One of the rare male dancers, he taught and performed extensively in the U.S. and worldwide, until his final workshop in Beijing, China in 2011. He is on video dancing at an early gay Pride day. He was King Tut when the Bal Anat Troupe opened the 1979 King Tut exhibit. John joins Terry Whitmore, his partner, and is sorely missed by friends and family left behind.