John lost his battle with cancer and died September 16, 2007, in Vancouver, Washington. He was born in Winthrop, graduated from high school there and, after a near-fatal smokejumping injury in 1966, got his BA and Master's degrees from Eastern Washington University.

After a stint as principal at Goldendale Middle School (Washington), he earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Connecticut in 1985. John served as Assistant Supt. of Schools in Kelso, Washington, before taking a Superintendent's position in Hockinson, Washington. He retired in 2001 and this past September the high school library was dedicated to him.