John, 76, died October 27, 1999, at his home in Rockingham County, Virginia. He was born May 27, 1923, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He was a member of the Brethren Church and entered Civilian Public Service in 1943. His occupation at that time was listed as "Farmer."

John trained as a smokejumper in 1944 and jumped both the 1944 and 1945 seasons. He had a busy season in 1944 making seven training and six fire jumps. John followed that with another season in 1945 where he made three practice, seven fire and one rescue jump.

After his discharge from CPS, John returned to the Harrisonburg and continued farming for the rest of his life.