John attended St. Barnabas grade school and All Hallows High School in NYC. During his high school years, he ran track- winning multiple medals. Upon graduation John enlisted in the Marine Corps. Afterwards he did a few stints with the USPS and the early Peace Corp. He attended OU and UCO in Oklahoma, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. While in college John went to work with the OKC Police Department and while there he met Donna Snider who later became his wife in 1967. Called to continue his work in law enforcement, he moved to the ATF. He and Donna moved to New Orleans, LA, Ft. Smith, AR, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, St. Paul, MI, Sioux Falls, SD, and finally returning to Oklahoma City where he headed the ATF office until his retirement in 1993.
John enjoyed several hobbies- his favorite was building and flying RC airplanes. He also enjoyed reading about the military and meeting with his breakfast buddies.
John is preceded in death by his three brothers, Jimmy, Jerry, and Dennis.
He leaves behind Donna, his wife of 57 years and is also survived by his sister Dorretta Svoboda.
John was a true gentleman with a great wit and a wonderful sense of humor.
He will be missed by many.
There will be a service held for John on April 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, 6600 Broadway Ext., Oklahoma City, OK 73116, with a graveside to immediately follow at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
