John was raised in Albany, GA. He attended public schools and graduated from Westover High School, where he was a four-sport letterman. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army to serve in the infantry. After training at Fort Benning, GA, John was ultimately stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, and assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment as part of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division “Tropic Lightning.” He served as a member of the 1/5 Scout Platoon and trained as an air assault scout sniper. In August 1998, he was one of nine soldiers to summit Mt. Rainier with minimal gear. He was deployed twice, and, in the year 2000, was selected as part of a team to represent the United States Army in the Multi-National Force and Observers “Force Skills Competition,” a series of tests designed to measure athleticism and technical proficiency against various military forces represented by teams from around the globe.

Following his honorable discharge from military service and in response to the untimely death of his younger sister, John returned home to Georgia and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he received his Associate’s Degree in Journalism with Honors. He was the news editor and co-editor of the college newspaper, which was recognized as best in the State in its division during both years of his tenure, and he headlined a regular radio show on the campus station. John received multiple awards for his writing and photography at the Southern Regional Press Institute. He was also an active member in the International Club. John then attended Georgia Southern University, where he graduated with honors, receiving his BA in Philosophy with minors in International Studies and Africana Studies. While at Georgia Southern, John was a member of the Phi Sigma Tau international honor society for philosophers and the GSU Philosophy Club. Additionally, he was an active participant in the Model African Union, which presented an annual opportunity to collaborate with African Heads of State and international diplomats and scholars in Washington, D.C., on issues facing the continent of Africa. Many of John’s articles, poems, photographs, and other writings have been recognized with awards and appeared in numerous publications over the years.

In 2005, John attended Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. During law school, he was a member of the Criminal Defense Club and the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, and he enjoyed participating in various intramural team sports. In addition to his studies and social and professional activities, John also worked in the law school library and volunteered at the Bibb County Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides legal advocacy for low-income Georgians in civil practice areas. In 2008, he received his Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research, and Drafting. John met his wife Anne during law school, and the two graduated together. They both live in Savannah, where Anne is also a practicing attorney, and they have two children.