Formerly held the original call sign K5LZA from 1957 until about 1970 when call sign was changed to K5JD. The "Elmer" who got me started in ham radio was Gene Kimball, W5RBA, one of the nicest men I have ever met in my lifetime. He was a true ham in every sense of the word with a little radio-filled shack out behind his house. What a station to see - glowing tubes, big blowers, an all homebrew rig (except the Hammarlund receiver)with booming AM signals coming out of the speakers! It was my very first exposure to ham radio... and I was hooked!!! My good friend and "Elmer" Gene Kimball became a Silent Key in 1985.

I am the Trustee and owner of the 146.96, K5JD repeater, in Dallas TX. RACES Radio Officer for the City of Dallas and was Radio Officer for Dallas County from about 1970-2007. During entire time as a ham I have been very active in all types of public service work including phone and CW traffic nets, RACES, ARES. Was the Net Manager for the North Texas Traffic Net (NTTN) in the late 60's. It was then mostly an AM net and during my tenure as NTTN Net Manager, the net was converted to SSB. Also, the net was changed from North Texas Traffic Net (covered only the ARRL North Texas Section) to the Texas Traffic Net (TTN) covering the entire state of Texas. In the 1960's and early 70's, K5LZA/K5JD served as net manager of the Texas CW Traffic net, pulling it through some very rough times when there was very little participation. I was manager of the 7290 Traffic Net for a year or two in the mid to late 60's. Very active in the National Traffic System's CW traffic net system, working in the RN5 Net, CAN, UTL, and more. Served as an NCS on RN5 and CAN.

Trustee of the Dallas Amateur Radio Club (DARC) station license, W5FC. There are four repeaters operated by the DARC under the call sign W5FC - 146.880, 224.88, 442.425 and 927.850mhz.

Married to Mary Ann, N5DXE for 44 fantastic years, 2 children - Johnny III and Tammy, and 4 grand children - Heather, Hunter, MaryLynn and Johnny IV.

Graduated from Texas A&M with a BS Electrical Engineering, Class of 1963. First job was with Collins Radio Co. in Richardson, Texas as a production test equipment design engineer. Had the honor of meeting Mr. Art Collins several times while employed by Collins Radio Co.

Master Mason, Past Master (2004-2005) of Dallas Masonic Lodge No.760 AF & AM, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, York Rite Council, Commandry, Chapter, member of Lyle L. Cross York Rite College No. 147, and member of the Royal Order of Scotland, 2008-2009 Worthy Patron of DalCliff Chapter No.574 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mary Ann, my wife, is the Worthy Matron.

My wife and I are both active members of the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild Board of Directors. Chairman of the Guild's cast party registration committee.