The youngest of seven children born to Lester and Amy Grandine, John grew up on the family’s 80-acre farm near Crandon, Wisconsin. After graduating from Crandon High School, he earned a degree in botany from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, graduating in 1960. For the next three summers he attended Reed to get his MAT in mathematics. Back in Wisconsin, he joined his father-in-law, Robert Klockow, Sr., on the faculty of Hartford Union High School
For the next 40 years he inspired students by teaching mathematics, coaching cross-country and wrestling, and serving as athletic director and cocurricular coordinator. A devout Christian, John was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He loved fishing, card games, and high school sports. He and his wife, Dorothy, founded the Hartford Duplicate Bridge Club, and John achieved the rank of Gold Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League.
He is survived by his wife; his sons, Thomas (Patricia), and David (Julie); granddaughters Haley, Hannah, Gabrielle, and Madeline; brother Lester; sisters Faith Bentley and Alice Stapel; and brothers-in-law Robert (Barbara) Klockow and E. Dale Thompson.