John possessed a strong heart for others, but a weak heart for himself.

John Harold Busby was born on December 13, 1913, in Meridian, Idaho, to John and Clara Busby. At a very early age, he came to Santa Cruz where his father found work as a carpenter. John, along with his parents, his brothers Vern, Claude and Ralph and sisters Mildred and Elinor, lived in a house on Washburn Street in Santa Cruz. In August 1927 he entered Santa Cruz High School where he was known for his prowess as a golfer.

After graduating from high school in 1931, Busby worked at the Casa del Rey Hotel and served as a bell captain for ten of the twelve years of his employment at that hotel.

When World War II began, John Busby attempted to join the military service but was initially rejected because of a weak heart. On May 29, 1942, he was reclassified as I-A and entered the US Army. After receiving basic training at Camp Callan, California, Private Busby was promoted to private first class and assigned to the 202nd Coast Artillery stationed at Seattle, Washington.

Shortly after breakfast on Sunday July 11, 1943 "Buzz," as his friends affectionately knew him, was stricken with a heart attack. Attempts to save him at the Bremerton Naval Hospital were unsuccessful and his heart gave out. His body was returned to Santa Cruz and following a funeral, was interred in Santa Cruz Memorial Park.

(NARA2; SCHSC Pg. 7, SCSn July 15, 1943 3:1, SCR July 23, 1943 -1)