John's home town is Emmett, Idaho. He went through grade school and high school in Emmett. He was s student leader and an outstanding athlete during high school.
He was a four year letterman in basketball, football and baseball. During his senior year, he was All-Conference and All-State in both basketball and football. He was voted to got to Boys State representing Emmett High School in the summer of 1963. Upon graduating from high school he received a football scholarship from the university of Idaho. He played quarterback for Idaho 1963, 64, 65 and 66. He was the quarterback in the last Idaho football team to beat Washington State University in 1965.
He graduated from the University of Idaho in June of 1968 with a degree in Physical Education. In 1967 he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played three years for them. He later played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Spokane Shockers.
Upon returning to Idaho he went to work for the Symms Fruit Ranch where he is still employed. John never married. His interest in football was extended for several years as a little league coach. Governor Andrus recognized his contributions to industry through his expertise with Symms Fruit and appointed him to the Idaho Cherry Commission in 1990. He is still active on that commission. John presently lives in Boise, Idaho.