John first picked up the mic in 1948 at a formal dinner setting, then again during his overseas military assignment in Japan, but it was not until 1958 in Albuquerque, NM that John began calling in earnest. Uncle Sam took John and his wife Freddie to Germany in 1961, and they took square dancing with them, immediately getting involved in the clubs and classes there. John soon became Training Director for the European Callers and Teacher Association (ECTA) and held the office of President of that organization on two occasions. In 1964, John joined several other leaders in conducting the first college of square and round dancing in Europe. John served on the Sets In Order Gold Ribbon Committee, writing articles and helping in the editing of the SIO Teaching Order and SIO Caller Text. Returning the the US upon his military retirement in the mid-60s, John became the Callerlab Executive Secretary and held that position until 1991. John and Freddie are charter members of Legacy and served on that Board of Directors for 10 years. They also played an active role in the Overseas Square Dancer Organization and served as its chairman on two occasions. John was an Accredited Caller-Coach, has been chairman of the Caller Training Committee, played a significant role in developing the Callerlab Curriculum Guidelines and created the Starter Kit for New Callers. In 1979, John was presented with the American Square Dance Society's Silver Spur Award, and in 1998 he received Callerlab's Milestone award. John's convention quote of "No Badge, No Food, No Exception" is still used at every Callerlab Convention. John passed away May 9, 2016.