John passed away June 18, 2016. View his obituary.

1964 – 1985 – The following is an Official Air Force Biography (1971-1985).

Major John Vender was born in Oil City, PA. He received a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ti-State University in Angola, IN. John earned his commission through OTS in 1971 and graduated from pilot training at Laredo AFB, TX, in 1972. He has flown aircraft in all three major commands, including OV-10s in Vietnam, T-39s at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, and KC-135s at Blythville AFB Arkansas, and Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan. John received a MS Degree in Systems Engineering the University of Florida in 1978. Prior to entering ACSC, he was the assistant operations officer at Wurtsmith AFB, MI. His hobbies include jogging, racket ball, and restoring old cars. John’s wife, Christine, is from Ohio; they have two children, Stephen (14) and Carrie (10). John passed away from cancer on June 19, 2016.