John served in Europe during World War II. John help build the first pontoon bridge across the Rhine river which allow American and allied forces into the heart of Germany. After his discharge as a corporal, John was a mail carrier for the post office. He died of polio - Carroll County's sole fatality of that dreaded disease.

John and Geneva's children are:
1. Blaine Douglas (11-Feb-1956), and
2. John David (27-May-1961).

Geneva married Barton Withheld after John's death.