John Faircloth is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina. John was raised by his grandparents, Earl and Clara Preddy, who were the parents of the well-known WWII Mustang Fighter pilots, Major George Preddy and 1st Lt. Bill Preddy. Major Preddy was the leading ace among all Mustang pilots in WWII and was best known for one particular mission. He was leading his squadron in escorting American bombers over enemy territory.
John Faircloth’s heroes as he grew up were his two uncles, both of whom lost their lives in combat only a few months before the end of World War II. The bombers were attacked and in a dogfight, George retaliated and destroyed six enemy fighters in a span of five minutes. His heroism awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military award. Throughout his formative years, and in adult life, John has been inspired by their American qualities and patriotism. There is a memorial for the Preddys in the Carolina Field of Honor located in Kernersville, NC.
Young John attended public schools and graduated from Greensboro Senior High School (now Grimsley High School). John married his high school sweetheart, Linda Rich, immediately before his service in the military. Days after he and his wife eloped, he joined the U.S. Army where he trained as a Military Policeman and served as a Public Safety NCO in a Civil Affairs Company with a combined total of 16 years active and reserve service.
John and his late wife have three daughters, Tammy, Laura and Catherine, and three grandchildren. John wanted to attend college but the need to find a job was more pressing as a young married soon-to-be father.
His experience in military law enforcement training earned him a position as a Foot Patrolman for the Greensboro Police Department. As he gained specialized experience and expertise in the field, moved up through the ranks to become the Commander of the Vice & Narcotics Division.
While working full time, Officer Faircloth took advantage of a newly funded federal program to encourage police officers to attend college. He attended Guilford College, alternating day and evening classes depending on his duty hours, and graduated with an Associate Degree in Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Upon completion of college and eleven years of police service with Greensboro, John was encouraged to apply for a newly created position in state government. He was appointed as the first Director of the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission in the Department of Justice.
He moved to Raleigh and began assembling a staff and developing a program. The first major challenge was locating and granting “grandfather certification” to every legally appointed and sworn in state, county and municipal law enforcement officer in North Carolina. Within 18 months the groundwork for the new commission was in place and new standards for hiring and retention were approved. The commission members and staff began working in partnership with training personnel to establish a very successful North Carolina Justice Academy at Salemburg, North Carolina. Additional training was made available through cooperative efforts with the Community Colleges all across the state. North Carolina criminal justice operations and outcomes became a model for other states to follow.
After three years of service with the DOJ, former police officer Faircloth had a longing to return to local government. He applied to the City of Salisbury in response to their ad seeking a new Police Chief. The retiring officer had held office for over thirty years and the local officials were looking for some younger ideas and modernization of equipment and techniques. They were also considering design and construction of a new police headquarters building. John was offered and accepted the position and moved to Salisbury. After working very closely with the City Manager, the planning and restructuring of hiring, training and operational functions, as well as the modernization of equipment was accomplished and work then began on the new building design. The result was a very modern structure that served the department’s needs and brought a greater sense of pride. Chief Faircloth, with the approval of the City Manager, began preparing a very talented group of officers within the department to be qualified and available for promotion when and opening occurred for the next Chief.
In 1976, Faircloth received a call from an official with the City of High Point. He was invited to apply for the position of Chief of Police for that city. He applied, was appointed, moved his family to High Point and began what would prove to be a career move. John renewed his interest in higher education and enrolled in graduate school at UNCG, attending evening classes. He received his MPA (Masters of Public Affairs) degree in 1980.
During his years of police service, Chief Faircloth was a leader, both locally and statewide. He was a founding member and President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. His department became an example to followed, such as the radical change from rotating patrol cars among several different officers as they changed shifts, to assigning a car to each officer and allowing them to be driven home. The result was a longer life for the vehicles, increased police presence on the streets, pride in the cleanliness and condition of the vehicles, and savings for officers because they had transportation to and from work. Chief Faircloth also promoted seeking college education by his officers, and incorporated the acquisition of a degree in the promotion and rank standards. His most proud of the fact that many of his young officers went on to become Police Chiefs, both in North Carolina and other states.
In 1992, with 31 years of service, Chief Faircloth retired from Law Enforcement and began a transition to other pursuits. He and his daughter Laura had gotten into a hobby that was evolving into a business venture. They began breeding, training and marketing Arabian horses. As time went on, Laura married and the very successful horse business was turned over to the newlyweds. John remains a silent partner.
John then took some advice from his wife Linda, a successful real estate agent, and purchased interest in a major Triad real estate firm. He assumed the position of Financial Officer and later, of Branch Manager and New Homes Manager. Broadening his interest in real estate, John became a partner in the development of two upscale residential neighborhoods in North High Point. He marketed the lots to builders and the finished homes to homeowners.
Interacting with business operators soon turned into an interest in local political issues. Faircloth realized how important it is to have knowledge, ability, open dialogue and true concern by office holders who make the decisions that directly affect the quality of life and the success of business in a city, county or state. John Faircloth was urged by a very reputable and successful group of citizens to run for the High Point City Council. He ran and was elected. He used his knowledge of public safety and real estate issues to become a very active and successful member. Councilman Faircloth served one term as Mayor Pro Tem.
In 2010, a close friend of John’s, who served on the City Council with him and who ran and was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, contacted him and they met over a cup of coffee. The Representative had decided not to run in the upcoming election and encouraged Faircloth to consider running for office. After long discussions with many close associates and very serious discussions with family, Faircloth filed to run for the N.C. House District 61. He was elected and was sworn in for the 2011-2012 term.
Rep. Faircloth has served actively, honorably and productively for five terms representing the great citizens of Guilford County, first in District 61 and more recently in District 62. His efforts on behalf of his constituents have been centered on Appropriations, Justice & Public Safety, Judiciary and State & Local Government. He also has strongly supported Business Development, Jobs, Education and The Arts.
Rep. Faircloth is running for his seventh term in the N.C. House. He has expressed that his dedication to state, county, and local government issues and his district’s residents encourages him to keep running for office.