John was born and raised in Grafton, Virginia. After graduating from Tabb High School he continued his education at Radford University. In 1997 he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Art Education and became certified to teach art at grades Pre Kindergarten - 12th. Having earned the rank of Eagle Scout while in high school, John chose to spend is college summers working as a handicraft instructor (and later director) with the Boy Scouts of America's Blue Ridge Mountains Council. He also had the honor of adding a large original sculpture to Radford University's student sculpture collection.

Soon after John started his first full-time teaching job with the Scotland County School system in North Carolina. In his two years there he gained valuable experience by teaching art to underprivileged students at the primary grade levels. In 2000 John married Samantha, an event that facilitated a move to Great Falls, Montana, her hometown. There he worked diligently as a teacher, citizen, and artist. With his wife he co-owns Luck Studios, a music and art teaching studio. Substitute teaching for the Great Falls Public Schools helped him meet the art teachers of Great Falls and have the opportunity to continue to hone his skills in the classroom. He also taught through the Paris Gibson Museum of Art as a seasonal art instructor, allowing him to reach out to the community as an art teacher. In March 2002 and 2003 John's artwork was displayed with his fellow artists in the 706 Artists Guild of Great Falls at the renowned Charley M. Russell Auction of Western Artists.

John also enjoys volunteering his abilities in the community. In 2001 he and his wife co-taught a "Music = Art" class at the Children's Museum of Montana. In the summers 2001 - 2003 they also spent an exhausting but rewarding week at Camp Francis, a support camp for bereaved children. At camp John gave his time as an artist as well as being a cabin leader and mentor for 4 to 6 campers. John's most recent volunteer project (2004) involves creating mural a series of murals based on the works of various artists such as Piet Mondrian and M.C. Escher in the school where he works. This is the second mural project that he has taken on. The first is in Great Falls, Montana's First Presbyterian Church.

John is now teaching at Kiln Creek Elementary in Newport News, Virginia. He and his wife moved back to his hometown in latter half of 2003 to pursue his love of teaching. There he has involved himself in the multiple activities of the school of over 830 students. He enjoys teaching grades K - 5 while taking graduate art classes to hone his skills, earn his Masters Degree, and keep up his professional license.