A 1960 Crater graduate, John participated in band, the Letterman’s club, football, basketball and baseball as well as being an honor student. Outside of high school, he enjoyed years of 4-H and had multiple 4-H projects. After Crater, John attended Oregon State University, graduating in four years with a degree in Business Administration.

He began his 46-year career in banking in 1964 at First Interstate Bank in Medford, serving as a vice president and area manager from 1964 until 1989 when he was selected as the President of Western Bank, a position he held until 1997. In 1998 he became the CEO and President of PremierWest Bank and remained there until his retirement in 2010.

During his lengthy professional career John accumulated many awards and and gave back to his Jackson County community in numerous ways. In 2003 he was named Access Hometown Hero; in 2006 he was elected into the Oregon Bankers Hall of Fame and in 2008 he was selected by the Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce as its First Citizen. Community-wise, Mr. Anhorn was a co-founder of the Southern Oregon Economic Development group (SOREDI), a founder and director for the non-profit Crater Junior Comets sports league, served 10 years on the Asante Hospital Board, was on the Jackson County Budget Committee and spent 17 years on the Rogue Community College Advisory Board. He has served as president of both the Rogue Valley Country Club Board and the Running Y Homeowners Association, was appointed by the Oregon governor to the State Accident and Industrial Fund Board (SAIF) and for three years was on the Jackson County Expo Board of Directors. John Anhorn’s support and commitment to School District 6 in general and to Crater High School in particular has been exemplary. He was an original member of the Crater Foundation Board of Directors when it formed in 1992 and has continued to put his energy and resources into the Foundation and Crater High School. He was instrumental in obtaining and having the field lights installed at the Anhorn baseball field, and he was on the committee that developed the plan and the campaign for installing the synthetic turf on the Crater football field. More recently, he was an integral member of the team that raised the funds for and brought the state-of-the-art Jumbotron scoreboard to the Crater football and track and field facility. His latest effort involves helping raise funds for the much-needed remodeling of the area outside the football field and entrance to the gym.

As John reflects on his Crater days and life after Crater he has this to say, “In high school, playing all sports, getting good grades and working part-time taught me how to manage my life for the future. Discipline in daily activities will make you productive in the future. I’ve been happily married for 54 years; have three children and six grandchildren. Since retiring from banking, I’m enjoying playing golf, spending time with my grandchildren, and we just finished building a cabin our property at Hyatt Lake.”