John Gardner was born in December 1955 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He spent most of his childhood with his mother and stepfather, though his biological father remained a steadfast anchor in his life. His stepfather's career in the Air Force led to frequent moves, including about eight years near Westover AFB in western Massachusetts. The family eventually settled in Westfield, Massachusetts, where John completed middle school and most of high school. It was there, in 1968, that he first met the young woman who would later become his wife.

John graduated from high school in Watertown, New York, in 1973. He then worked at Watertown Builders, gaining experience in construction (including dairy barns) and in the lumberyard. During his final year, he learned to operate heavy equipment and handled unloading raw lumber cars for the sawmill.

In April 1976, John enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Security Speciaist and was stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. In 1980, he retrained into Small Arms Marksmanship Training, a specialized career field he remained in until his retirement in October 2000. He became proficient in every weapon in the Air Force inventory—from revolvers and hand grenades to mortars, Claymore mines, LAWS, AT-4s, and heavy machine guns. His career took him worldwide, including assignments and training in Germany, Italy, Greece, Korea, Okinawa, Saudi Arabia, and later Afghanistan. He deeply loved the role and the opportunities it provided.

Following retirement, John pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from the University of West Florida and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from Central Connecticut State University. During Operation Enduring Freedom, he worked as a contract courier, transporting sensitive packages between locations including Ankara, Turkey; Uzbekistan; the UAE; Qatar; and Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan—a high-responsibility position that required readiness to protect the mission at all costs.

In 2006, John married the girl he had met on the school bus nearly four decades earlier. The couple initially settled in Connecticut before relocating to Florida. Seeking a better balance to stay closer to their children in New England, they moved to North Carolina in 2010, where they now enjoy semi-retirement. John operates his own woodworking shop, which he built himself, crafting items like picnic tables for neighbors. He is also a licensed and certified tax preparer, staying active in the profession during tax season.

John remains proud of his service and continues to give back through his involvement with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.