John was born in Missouri in 1937 weighing only 3lbs.He went on to become a child prodigy pianist, and a polymath with mastery of mathematics, computer science, and languages including Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and German. His father John, a factory worker and his mother, Thelma Adelia Temperance Mason, struggled to give John the musical training that he put to wonderful use later. John graduated U of M in 1955 and became a systems programmer in the infancy of that field working many years at Oakland ISD. He married his childhood sweetheart Ruth in 1956 and was devoted to her his entire life. He brought joy to many through his music over the years as church organist and in professional settings where he dabbled in jazz. He loved music, puzzles, T-Bird convertibles, and Snoopy. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Henrietta, his sons Terence Mark, and James John.