John was born in Phoenix, AZ on August 14, 1962, third generation Phoenician. As a young man, he was a horseman. He began at the age of 4, winning many championships during his riding career. When he was 17 he worked as a veterinarian technician for Dr. Richard Rezzonico, a large animal veterinarian in Phoenix. He had a great love for all animals and at one time was going to become a veterinarian. He especially loved dogs. He also loved guns. He was an avid gun competitor during his teenage years. He was junior trap champion for the state of Arizona. He also enjoyed hunting and recreational gun shooting. John began working at the age of 18, at the John W. Spalding Brokerage Company. His Grandfather, John William Spalding, Sr. was the founder of the company in the 1920's. He and his father John W. Spalding, Jr. worked together for 30 years. The brokerage represented many food companies. He was married at the age of 21 to his high school sweetheart Ruth B. Spalding. They were married for 28 years. They had a child together, John W. Spalding IV. They divorced in 2012, but still remained friends. John sold his business in 2006, due to his poor health. He moved to California with his family in 2006 to live with his mother, Ellen T. Spalding. His father passed away and he wanted to help his mother. He lived in California for 3 years and decided to move to Idaho with his family. He leaves behind his son, John W. Spalding IV, his mother Ellen T. Spalding and his ex-wife Ruth B. Spalding.