Son of Ron & Betty (Davis) Fairbairn. He attended Third Ward Elementary School in Columbus. John attended Broken Bow Junior High School until 1966, when he moved to Puerto Rico to attend private school for 3 years. He moved back to Broken Bow for his senior year of high school and graduated in 1970. John earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1978, majoring in Economics. John enlisted in the United States Air Force as an Automatic Flight Control Specialist in 1971 until 1974. He then joined the Nebraska Air National Guard as an Automatic Flight Control Systems Specialist from 1974 - 1993. He continued on as a Training Manager and was promoted to First Sergeant Maintenance Squadron in 1998. In 2003, John was assigned to active duty in Marseilles, France where he served a six month tour. John retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard as a Senior Master Sergeant in August of 2004.
During his service in the military, John received the following citations: Exceptional Promotional Program Promoted to Sr. Master Sergeant, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, State of Nebraska AK-SAR-BEN Outstanding Soldier Medal, Nebraska National Guard Commendation Medal, Nebraska National Guard Individual Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Air Force Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal, and also a recipient of several military ribbons for individual and group achievement.
In addition to John's military service, he spent the majority of his professional career in Human Resources with various companies including; Dale-Vishay, Behlen Manufacturing, Appleton Electric, BD Medical, and most recently as an HR Manager at Covidien in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Throughout his life, John was involved in numerous organizations including; Masons, Shriners, VFW, Toastmasters, Planning and Zoning Committee, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Director for the Columbus Area Arts Council, Member of the School to Work Linkages, Board of Governors member for the Nebraska Math and Science Coalition, Member of the Nebraska East Central School To Work Initiative, Director for the Columbus Collaborative Team, Member of the Columbus Comprehensive Planning Committee, CASA representative, Instructor of Concordia University, and American Institute of Banking.
Most of all John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, who would describe him as a wine connoisseur, collector of odds and ends, master chef, bargain hunter, historian, knowledgeable handyman, story teller, card player, practical jokester, a Menards preferred patron and a friend to all.
John is survived by:
Son - Chris (Samantha) Fairbairn of Wheat Ridge, CO
Daughter - Elizabeth (Wade) Fluckey of Clinton, NC
Daughter - Lindsay (Kyle) Zimmer of Lincoln, NE
Father - Ron (Ginger) Fairbairn of Irvine, CA
Fiancée - Michele Batten of Columbus, NE
Granddaughter - Addisyn Fluckey of Clinton , NC
Granddaughter - Emerson Zimmer of Lincoln, NE
Sister - Patty (Steve) Loyd of Plattsmouth, NE
Step-Son - Chris Batten of Columbus, NE
John was preceded in death by:
Mother - Betty Fairbairn