John graduated from Aquinas High School before coming to Princeton. He joined Charter Club and majored in civil engineering. He was editor of the Princeton Engineer and a member of the Engineering Council. After graduation John entered the Navy and served as an engineering officer on a Newport, R.I.-based destroyer. He then returned to La Crosse and went into the family business contracting and subcontracting the fabrication of architectural metals and structural steel. He served on the board of many La Crosse-area organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, Associated Bank, and the La Crosse East Rotary Club.
John is survived by Barbara Louise Kelly, his wife of almost 60 years; their three children; and 10 grandchildren.