John Sanford McCord

John earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin, his Master of Arts from Sam Houston State University, and performed further post-graduate studies at the University of North Texas. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Lieutenant Colonel John Sanford McCord retired in 1974 after 21 years in the Infantry, having served in Viet Nam (two tours), Korea, Japan, and Iran. He taught Economics at Richland College in Dallas for eight years before devoting full time to writing.

Lieutenant Colonel McCord acquired the U. S. Army Excellence in Competition Badge (Rifle) and many other high-powered rifle shooting awards. Amateur boxing was his sport in public school and college; he won championships in three weight divisions. An avid hunter, his trophies include Iranian Lynx, Ibex, Russian Boar, Goitered Gazelle, Urial Sheep, and Red Deer.

Fictional writings of Johns were Walking Hawk, Montana Horseman, Texas Comebacker, Wyoming Giant, California Eagles, Nevada Tough and Kansas Gambler. Other nonfictional works have appeared in Frontier, Organic Gardening, The Highlander, Army Magazine, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Texas Express.

After retiring from the Army, John and Joan spent a year in their travel trailer exploring parks in the Northwest and in Texas. John pursued many hobbies as an organic gardener and a copartner in an orchard/vineyard near Bluffdale, Texas. Later he and Joan became active in the DFW Writers' Workshop where they planned and hosted seminars on writing and were made lifetime members. To off set the sedentary habits of a writer, he joined The American Volkssports Association and made many walks in several states. His mother in law, Eva Tuggle, gifted the couple new bikes on their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003. They enjoyed exploring bike trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth. Most fun of all for John was meeting people along the way and sharing stories.

John McCord is survived by Joan his wife for over 70 years, a daughter Merrie McCord and husband George Chan, and son John Sanford McCord, Jr., nephew Allen David McCord IV, nieces Katie Henson, Wendy Tyler, Jennie Dennis Griffith, cousins Patsy Walters, Roy Norcross, and Frankie Norcross.