John was born April 24, 1929, in Brownwood, Texas, to Norman E. and Dortha A. Chaney. He graduated from Brownwood H.S. in 1947 and attended Howard Payne University and received his B. S. degree from Portland State University. Retired as a Major from the United States Air Force. John served tours in Texas, Taiwan, Oregon, Germany, and Colorado. He retired from the City of Abilene where he worked as the Manager of the Civic Center and Manager of the Water Office. He was a member of the Downtown Rotary, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Red Coats, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, and President of the Lake Coleman Community Center. John was the Drum Major for the Brownwood H. S., Howard Payne, the Old Gray Mare Band of Brownwood and the 669th Air force Band of San Angelo. In the spring of 1947 the Brownwood H. S. Band won the annual Battle of Flowers in San Antonio and was the only band to win a double-first. John was voted as the best Drum Major. John was an avid fisherman and loved Mozelle's pecan and apple pies, hot or cold. Some of his fondest memories were of family camping at Lake Dillon in Colorado. He had a special place in his heart for all kinds of birds and wild animals. John was preceded in death by his son Bryan. John is survived by his wife, Mozelle of 64 years. Son, David and wife Tracy and their daughters Emily and Erin of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Son, John Jr. and wife Brenda, of Arlington, Texas and their children Jennifer Parker and husband Joe of Heath, Texas, and Jagen and his wife Heather of Euless, Texas; Son, Mickey and his wife Karen of Abilene and their children Jessica Moore and her husband Zach of Abilene, and Jordan and his wife Brittany of Abilene; Daughter, Susan Buck and her husband Wolfgang of Hemmingen, Germany and daughters Melody Klingler of Austin, and Katy Pierce of Austin; Son, Bill of Dallas; Great Grand Children Braeden and Logan Parker of Heath, Texas and Jacob and Caleb Moore of Abilene.