John was born on May 12, 1930, in Fernie, BC, where he graduated from high school. During the summers, he worked in the nearby coal mines at Coal Creek and fished the Elk River.

John graduated in 1952 from UBC with a BA (mathematics), and Walter Gage served as a great inspiration and well-loved professor to him. John taught mathematics in junior high school, then senior high school in Trail, BC.

Obtaining a Bachelor of Education from UBC and a Master of Arts in mathematics education from Washington State University, John accepted the position of chairman of the Math Department at Cariboo College (ultimately Thompson Rivers University). During his time in this institution, he was awarded a Teaching Merit Award and a Master Teacher Award. He also founded the Provincial High School Mathematics Contest, which now attracts students from across the province. He retired in 1995. In 2006, Thompson Rivers University bestowed John with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.

He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Lorna, and his daughter Jean (BA’86), and is survived by sons Gerry and David (BSc’82, DMD’87).