John Hairston, almost 91 years of age, is a long-time friend of the Coffee Bunker. Born in 1932, in Danville, VA, John was the oldest of eight siblings. His mother and father worked two jobs each to keep the family financially stable, so a large part of the care taking for the children was assumed by him. He learned responsibility very early. John indicates that during those days he watched news broadcasts constantly not so much for the news but to see how the broadcasters were dressed and to mimic their voices. Even today when John visits the Bunker, he is always “dapper.”
When he was 9-years-old, he says his world was shaken as he listened to the reports of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He committed then to prepare himself for later military service. On July 21, 1949, he enlisted in the Air Force and for most of his 3 ½ years he was assigned to duty in Korea. He says that his early days of learning responsibility and his penchant for being dressed properly served him well in the military from which he was honorably discharged in 1952.
John’s subsequent education, work experience, and leadership experience in his church were logical extensions of what he learned early in life. His dream was to become a US Diplomat but that door was closed. However, in retrospect, it is obvious by the way John presents himself, speaks to others, and carries out his responsibilities, that he is a natural representative, ambassador, or diplomat.
John continues to be a diplomat for the Coffee Bunker. We salute him.