John Joseph Harrington was born in Borger, Texas, September 10, 1939. He attended school in Borger until his junior year of high school. On 1 January 1957 he moved to Buena Vista, Colorado and graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1958. John continued his educati9n at Colorado University, New Mexico University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Western State College in Gunnison Colorado, graduating in March of 1963. While at Western State he met Barbara Ann Lucy. They were married August 2, 1964 in Denver. They have two children, John J.III and Shannon Elaine. They have 4 Grandchildren.

John joined the U.S. Navy in December 1962 and upon graduating from WSC attended Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island. He was graduated an Ensign, USNR, in September 1963. He spent 23 years as a navel officer and retired as a Commander on 1 September 1985. He served on 5 different ships and five shore stations, including 22 months of combat duty in Vietnam. While serving as Commanding Officer, Naval Reserve Center, Ogden, Utah, he gained a Master of Education (MED) from the University of Utah. After retiring from the Navy, he taught English and coached High School Football at Buena Vista High School.

John is a member of Mt. Princeton Lodge #49, Salida Lodge #57, a KCCH in the Southern Colorado Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons, a member of York Rite, Al Kaly Shrine, Eastern Star, Amaranth, and a 50+ year member of DeMolay.

He likes to travel, play Bridge, collect coins, play Golf and attend Festive Table Lodges when visiting his condo in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.