John was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Naomi Gaye Samples, and his sister, Monna Alice Tincher. He was a 1950 graduate of Rainelle, WV High School and pursued a BS degree in Business Administration from Morris Harvey College, Charleston, WV. He also served four years in the US Navy where he achieved the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. Upon discharge from the Navy, His successful banking career began in the collections department of Capital Finance Company in Charleston. He quickly moved up within the ranks of several local banks and, in 1973, helped to establish the Teays Valley National Bank where he served as president for several years. He volunteered his time with various organizations and served on the Board of Directors for Thomas Memorial Hospital, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and the Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission. He faithfully attended Bible Center Church in Charleston for many years. He later attended Twin City Bible Church in Nitro, WV where he and his wife became active volunteers with the youth group. When hosting youth activities at home or traveling with the teens on mission trips, he had the opportunity to mentor and to make a godly impact in the lives of many young men and women. He also spent numerous hours supporting his own children and grandchildren in their athletic, scouting, musical, and academic pursuits. He had a lifelong love of flying and earned his private pilot's license as a young man. Through this pursuit, John met many friends who not only shared his passion for airplanes, but for antique cars as well. He looked forward each year to traveling with them to the Oshkosh Air Show and the Charlotte Speedway Car Show. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors working in his garden, mowing on his tractor, or fishing at his camp on the Greenbrier River.