In my early years, I was active in church, Boy Scouts and athletics. In Scouting, I attained the rank of Eagle with the Bronze Palm, earned the God and Country Award and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. The training and self confidence one receives in Scouting is probably the most significant thing in my life that taught me one can achieve the goals he only limits himself to.
During my high school days, I participated on the track team, played on the varsity football team the last two years and was a member of the senior class play.
Following high school graduation in 1949, at the age of 17, I entered East Central Junior College in Decatur, Mississippi. Being only ten miles from my hometown I commuted daily for the next two years. Attending college seemed to be the thing to do even though I had no idea what I wanted for a career. I had considered other professions before finally deciding, in my second year of college, to study chiropractic. I was motivated by having five relatives already in the profession.
After graduation from Junior College in 1951, at age 19, with an Associate of Arts degree, application was made to enter the Texas Chiropractic College in September 1951. T.C.C. was selected mainly because all my relatives were graduates dating back as early as 1923.
During my school days at T.C.C., I was an active member of the Delta Sigma Chi fraternity and had the good fortune of being a student under Dr. J. R. Drain the last year he taught. I graduated from T.C.C. April 30, 1954. Prior to graduation, I married a San Antonio girl, Jeannie V. McDonald, on April 4, 1954.
Following graduation, I entered the armed services in August, 1954, serving for two years in a SCARWAF (Special Category of the Army with the Air Force) Unit, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave, California, where my wife served as secretary to the B-52 project under development at that time.
After release from military service in August, 1956, I decided to return to college to obtain eligibility requirements of the Basic Science Certificate and, at the same time, study for a bachelors degree. I entered St. Mary’s University, in San Antonio, and held a full-time job until graduation in January, 1960.
In June, 1960, I received my license to practice from the Texas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. During the following six months, my practice as an associate was somewhat limited and I decided to open my own office in 1961. I then became a company chiropractor for a firm with over 500 employees. In September, 1962, Dr. Julius Triolo contacted me to teach at T.C.C. I started, first on a part-time basis, and went full-time a year later. During my teaching full-time and practice part-time, I did a research study on workmen’s compensation claims of chiropractic care vs. medical care which was published in The Texas Chiropractor.
When T.C.C. was planning its move to Pasadena, Texas in 1965, I agreed to move with the college. Dr. W. D. Harper, Dean of T.C.C. at that time, moved with the college and continued serving as Dean until August, 1966, when he was named President. During 1965-66, I was assistant to the Dean and was appointed Dean in August, 1966.
I served as Dean of T.C.C. until August, 1974, when the Board of Regents named me as Vice President and Dr. David Mohle, Dean. As Vice President, I worked closer to the president and, upon his retirement from office in August, 1976, the Board of Regents appointed me as Administrator.
I maintained a part-time practice in the Pasadena area until October 1, 1976, when I found it very difficult to maintain it and run a college at the same time.
In December, 1976, Dr. Harper announced his retirement from the college. The Board of Regents then appointed me as President, effective January 1, 1977, the position I hold at this time.
During my presidency of T.C.C., the Board of Regents has supported me in carrying out an expansion program upgrading the physical plant, faculty and equipment that makes T.C.C. stand out as a leader in chiropractic education. In 1978, the 25,000 sq. ft. Turley Anatomical Building was completed and opened for classes, and now plans for a 35,585 sq. ft. library-classroom-laboatory building are complete. When construction on this is finished, the physical plant will accommodate over 800 students. To our alumni and friends, I thank you for the support that has made all this possible for your school and your profession.
Throughout my years in the profession, I have always been a firm believer in being active in organizations of the profession. I have been a member of theTexas Chiropractic Association since 1961, served as District Director in 1963-64; Chairman of Placement Committee 1964-65, and Chairman of the Research Committee from 1968 through 1973. I have also been an active member of the American Chiropractic Association since 1962, served on its Research Committee for several years, lecture of the A.C.A. in its Medicare and Peer Review Seminars.
In 1963, I was appointed as a Chairman of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Test Committee and served on test committees until 1976, when I became Administrator of the college.
As a college president and a member of the Council on Chiropractic Education, I was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the C.C.E. in 1980 and again in 1981. In 1977, I helped form the Association of Chiropractic College Presidents, was elected its Secretary-Treasurer in 1979, President in 1980 and now serve as past-president.
In 1974, I was honored by the International College of Chiropractors as a FELLOW, and again in 1980 I was honored by my colleagues with the highest honor bestowed on a doctor in Texas, and for which I shall always cherish, the KEELER PLAQUE.
The accomplishments I speak of here have not been mine alone. There is a Divine Force greater than man that has made it all possible, and you, our future doctors and my family have been the inspiration.
I and my wife Jennie V. reside at 1100 W. Flamingo, Seabrook, Texas, and have been blessed with three children, John Jr., a 1st Lt. Marine Pilot; Janine and Jack, students in the Clear Lake High School.
