After his birth March 16, 1930 in Lometa, Texas John and his family moved to Uvalde, Texas
While in high school John participated in football, basketball, baseball and track and in 1950 he joined the Marines.
After his discharge John attended Sul Ross College in Alpine where he played football. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1953 and played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1954 and 1955, and in 1956 John started rodeoing full time.
In 1957 John finished 6th place, 1958 5th place and in1959 he finished 13th place and went to the First National Finals, competing in the steer wrestling,
John won Cheyenne and set an arena record at Pendelton. Other top rodeos that he won were, Palm Springs, El Paso, Odessa, San Angelo and Waco.
John held a RCA/PRCA Gold Card. He lives with his wife Lois, in Corrales, New Mexico and is secretary of the Rodeo Cowboys Alumni.