Position: left field Bats: right Throws: right

John was born in Autaga, Alabama. He would attend Lewis Elementary School in Birmingham and completed his education at Parker High School. He loved baseball and always had a burning desire to play the game.

John began his career in 1955 as a left fielder for the Detroit Stars. John recalls playing against the pitching of fellow Negro Leaguer Pedro Sierra. In 1957 John played center field for Birmingham Black Barons and played one of the most memorable games of his career. He had two hits at the plate and ran down a long fly ball to make an awesome over the head catch. John would have an opportunity to play in some major league ballparks, Yankee Stadium, Comisky Park, Ebbott Field and Wrigley Field, to name a few. This was an incredible experience for him creating memories that would last a lifetime. He was selected to play in the '57 East-West All Star Game, making his debut at Tiger Stadium. He would return to the All Star line-ups for another three years, 1958 through 1960 at Comisky Park.

John remembers the sacrifices he and his teammates would make and the many obstacles they overcame to play baseball in the Negro Leagues. They would travel from city to city riding on a bus sometimes eight hours or more to arrive just in time to change into their uniforms and play ball. At games end it would be back on the bus and on to the next city sleeping when they could. Staying at a hotel or eating in a restaurant was a luxury they would rarely encounter. The color of their skin was enough to be deny them such an experience. John loved baseball so much that he made every moment count, not even the racial inequities were enough to cast a shadow on the memories he would create for himself. In fact John was quoted as saying "We overcame these obstacles with our eyes set on the sights of playing a game that we loved."

After John's baseball career ended, he would work in a steel plant that produced steel casts and molds.

John and his wife Mable were married in Birmingham, Alabama where they raised a family of four children - two sons and two daughters.