John Staples

John Staples is a native of North Carolina.  Born in Charlotte, he grew up in Kernersville and graduated from Duke University in 1958 with a degree in history.  He served three years as a communications officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves before beginning his civilian life as a teacher of English, history and Spanish at Oak Ridge Military Academy. He also worked as an automobile claims adjuster before joining the Kernersville News in 1972 as a reporter/photographer. He became the editor of the News in 1977 and retired from that position in 2002.

Since his retirement, Staples has published two books. One, a mystery novel entitled White Lies and Other Deceptions, is based loosely on his experiences as a newspaper reporter and editor.  The other, entitled Make Love, Drive Freeway Every Now and Zen, is a book of  personal  “awakenings” reminiscent of the enlightenment experiences of  Zen Buddhist monks.

Staples has served as president of the North Carolina Association of Community Newspapers, director of the North Carolina Press Association, chairman of the Forsyth County Library Board of Trustees, and as an officer and director of The Shepherd’s Center of Kernersville.

He is currently working on a second novel and also on a sequel to Make Love, Drive Freeway.

Contact John: jstaples@triad.rr.com