"Humphrey was killed in Auto Crash," reported the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

John Charles Humphrey Jr. was born on February 11, 1926, in San Francisco, California, to John and Eloise Humphrey. Along with his brother Cyrus and his sister Mary, he spent his formative years in San Francisco. The Humphrey family later moved to Fontana, California, where he enrolled in high school. In 1943 the family relocated to Santa Cruz and John transferred into the junior class of Santa Cruz High School. During his year at Santa Cruz High, he took a college preparatory course and majored in mathematics. After leaving high school, he moved to San Bernardino County.

John Humphrey joined the Army Air Force Reserve and on August 23, 1944, was called to active duty at the Presidio of Monterey and sent to Randolph Field, Texas. After receiving specialized training at other locations, he served as a ground crewman.

Prior to being shipped overseas, Humphrey was given a military leave and returned to spend it in Southern California. While near Fontana, California, he was killed when a train hit the automobile in which he was a passenger. His remains were buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Los Angeles.

(NARA2; SCHSC Pg. 12; SCSn November 7, 1945 1:7)