John had an inquisitive mind at a young age and was always into everything. He developed a strong work ethic during his formative years. During grade school, John would go with his three sisters to their father's office at night, punching circuit boards out of a grid and bagging them for 25 cents an hour. At 13, he would ride his bike to his first job, working at a local barbershop sweeping and shining shoes. Being a well-rounded young man, John would help his mom deliver for Meals on Wheels, and one of his favorite memories was driving go-karts.
John excelled in soccer and played on several teams as a teenager. W. T. White High School recruited John to enroll and start their soccer program, bringing his primarily Hispanic club team with him. This team began W. T. White's soccer success for years to come.
He was an avid water skier, spending much of his time on the lake with his friends and family. John continued to work hard, study hard, and play hard during these years. He excelled in Math and Science but also held a deep appreciation for music and literature. Anyone that knew John would at one time or another be impressed by his memory and understanding of how things work, and in 1975 John made a move to Austin to attend the University of Texas for Electrical Engineering.
While studying engineering, John met his college sweetheart Christine Aiello. Upon graduation from The University of Texas in 1980, Christine and John were married. John began his engineering career with Motorola working for Motorola from 1981 until 2004, gaining new insights into the world of engineering. Over the many years with Motorola, he was responsible for new product development, testing products, marketing, and project management.
In 2004, John took the entrepreneurial leap, starting his first business, Cadiz, a medical laser center. He experienced first-hand the frustration that failed equipment, high repair costs, and wait time for repairs caused. Having a background in electrical engineering, John rolled up his sleeves and began repairing his lasers. He quickly realized his laser's high-failure-rate parts needed more than a quick fix. One innovation led to another, and in 2004 Laser Scientific was born. John created and applied for a patent for Helical Fiber Optic Mode Scrambler. This patent became the foundation stone for his success with Laser Scientific, the first of many patents. John owned and operated Laser Scientific for eighteen years in the United States and abroad.
John loved a good game of poker, golf, and pool. He loved competing in BBQ competitions and a great cheeseburger.. To all who knew him, they would agree on one word: sarcastic, yes, and a bit rowdy. He had a wild side coupled with extraordinary grace. In all family gatherings, you could find John telling jokes to a fascinated crowd and throwing his head back to the Rolling Stones or commenting on how Santana is "making the guitar weep." John lived well, and he was well-loved and adored by all who knew him.
John leaves behind his three daughters and their families, Katy and Matt Ledbetter of Burnet, TX; Kim and Clint Crumley, son Finn of Bastrop, TX, and Michelle and Joey Amundsen of Norway. He is also survived by his sister Gail Glen, husband Ian, and son Stephen; sister Suzy Crownover; and her sons Ryan, wife Lauren, and daughter Tarah and Russell; sister Jane Helms, husband Conner, and daughters Taylor, husband Matthew, and Chandler; his girlfriend, Lesli Jones, and her son Mason Jones.
The funeral service will be held at his family's ranch, Crown Ranch in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
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