I don't think a VIP status would be appropriate based on that recognition was made for donations which he isn't one.
Hal gets a free VIP rank. [Do I need to move this topic to meta board?]
MagicalTux got "free" VIP status for hosting the forum for a long time, too. I think that him plus Hal are the only free donator statuses I gave out. You'd have to do something pretty extraordinary to convince me to give out another free one.
I do not want to limit the subject to how to reward @johoe? As much as I would like to highlight such historical events that deserve to be remembered.