John "Jack" S. Piper was born in Marshall, Missouri on April 12, 1935 to John C. and Edith Piper. His family later moved to Sedalia, Missouri, where he met his wife, Don Jackson, while attending Hubbard High School. The two married in 1957 and welcomed their first son, Everett, a year later. They then moved to Denver in 1960, shortly before the birth of their daughter, Vickie. Their youngest son, Donald, was born in 1965. John was a machinist by trade and worked for Coors Brewing Company for over thirty years before retiring in 1999.
John was an avid Broncos fan; Sundays were usually spent in front of the television cheering them on (or watching with the volume muted if the game wasn't going so well). Although his family in Missouri were Chiefs supporters, the rivalry and teasing between them were always good-natured. As a younger man, he coached his children in track and field, with his sons earning a bid to compete in the Junior Olympics. As the coach of the Prince Hall little league football team during the 1970s, he served as a mentor and father figure for countless young men who still look up to him today. He was a lover of fast cars; he enjoyed both racing and tinkering on his infamous 1964 GTO and 1994 SS Impala. In later years, he developed a love for traveling, often going on cruise vacations with family members. His sense of humor, sharp wit and generous nature will be missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his children, Everett, Donald, and Vickie; son-in-law Donald McFadden; grandchildren Khaile, Brandon, Jontae, Dontray, Kennedi and Kayla; great-grandchildren Kalaya, Tiana, Cason, Taleisha, Tyree, Ma'leina, Ka'Tia, Kai, Caleb; his "fur baby" Bandit; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents; wife; brothers Dr. Ray Piper, Marvin Hayes, and sister Ollie Taylor.