John died June 1, 2008, after a battle with cancer. Born and raised in the state of Washington, he spent many years in Twisp, Washington. He joined the Navy in 1961 and later earned his degree in hotel management at Washington State University in 1970.

From 1970 to 1981, he returned to the Methow Valley and was part-owner of Abrams' Chevrolet. In 1982, he moved to Kenai, Alaska and managed hotels there and in Valdez, Alaska. In 1986 he relocated to Fairbanks, where he joined the staff of Asbestos Removal Specialists of Alaska, as the contract manager.

He jumped at NCSB in 1967 after his rookie season in Fairbanks.