Jack countryman bio

American diplomat (1933–2024)

John Russell Countryman (January 25, 1933 – December 14, 2024), also known by the stage name Johnnie Russell, was an American child actor and career officer for the United States Foreign Service.

Before the age of ten, Countryman appeared in more than a dozen Hollywood films, and afterwards had a brief career on the New York stage. A graduate of a private Jesuit military secondary school, he served in the Air Force and then entered the Foreign Service in 1962. He held various postings in the Middle East and Africa before being appointed United States Ambassador to Oman from 1981 to 1985. Following his 35-year diplomatic career, he served as Executive Director of the Mission for Peace and Cooperation in the Middle East under the auspices of Search for Common Ground.

Early life and family

John Russell Countryman was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 25, 1933. His father, Russell Countryman, worked for Associated Press as a photography and art editor; his mother was a Czech immigrant. He was named for John Budd Long, general manager of the California Newspaper Publishers Association. He had one sister.

Acting career

From age three to ten, John was a child model and actor. Using the stage name Johnnie Russell (alternately billed as Johnny Russell or John Russell), he was known for his "fair curls and pretty-pudgy face". Russell landed his first film role in the 1937 film The Duke Comes Back while vacationing in Los Angeles with his mother. Though his performance garnered praise, it did not seem to be leading to a film career until he screen-tested for the role of the son of Barbara Stanwyck's character in the 1938 film Always Goodbye. He was chosen over 489 other applicants between the ages of 4 1/2 and 7 and signed to a contract with Twentieth Century Fox. A succession of film roles quickly fo

Times of change, trouble, or doubt can leave us looking for answers, wondering what God says about our situation. Millions have trusted Jack Countryman books based on the promises of God. His first 365-day devotional—God’s Promises® Every Day—brings encouragement and assurance through Scripture and writings about the promises God has for your life.

Bible Gateway interviewed Jack Countryman about his book, God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional (Thomas Nelson, 2018).

Briefly describe your career in Christian publishing.

Jack Countryman: Marsha and I feel so blessed when we consider that we started our Christian company on our kitchen table back in 1976 in Houston, Texas. We first offered the Living New Testament in Living Sound published by Tyndale House Publishers. They gave us the very first license to produce that New Testament on 16 cassette tapes. We sold thousands of copies over the next several years.

In 1981, we developed God’s Promises for Your Every Need, which was a small Scripture-filled gift book. This opened our door to Christian publishing and the rest is history.

In 1994, we sold our small company to Thomas Nelson and we were moved from Texas to Tennessee. Thomas Nelson wanted us to develop an inspirational gift division and they decided to call this new division JCountryman. We were like kids in a candy store with all the intellectual property available to us. We worked with wonderful authors such as Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Charles Stanley, John MacArthur, Charles Swindoll, Anne Graham Lotz, and so many more. By 2000, we had grown to be the largest inspirational gift book publisher in the world. Today, we’re still involved in Christian publishing and we continue to feel God’s blessings.

How have you seen Christian publishing change over the years?

Jack Countryman: In the past 5-10 years, we’ve seen Christian publishing grow and evolve like never before. With the growth of the internet, c

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/03/2017 (2901 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On his last birthday, Jack Countryman ran 15 miles or about 24 kilometres.

That was impressive enough but wait… his birthday is on Dec. 22 and he ran outdoors.

Still not overly impressed? How about the fact Jack had just turned 81?

Our city is filled with unique people but, for me, Jack stands out. He is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the privilege to know.

What makes Jack tick is his desire to remain healthy and young-at-heart. He has been a runner for a long time, received three medals from the Manitoba Marathon, and can be seen running through the streets of Winnipeg at any time of year.

In the summer, he still plays baseball with University of Manitoba law students. I first met Jack on a baseball field during my first year as general manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

We held a local tryout camp combined with an open house. At 57, Jack tried out as a pitcher for the Goldeyes. He was quite a figure on the mound – a tall left-handed thrower with a unique motion. The Winnipeg Free Press put his picture in the paper and wrote a story about the dream of playing professional baseball never dying.

I have played catch with Jack and even played with him in the first “Hard-Fast” game ever played. The game was one of a multitude of original ideas Jack has come up with, combining facets of baseball, softball and slo-pitch. Jack might be the only person anywhere at his age who can throw a windmill pitch over home plate from second base.

Jack had a book, Atlantis and the Seven Stars, internationally published in 1979 and he has written over 40 books. He is currently working on illustrations for a new comic strip he would like published in hardcover form.

Jack and I belong to the same Toastmaster Cl

JACK COUNTRYMAN - NATIONAL SPEED CHAMPION -

1965  TO 1970

I started skating in 1964, while at a session at Swank Roller Rink in Chicago, the manager Tom McKewn or so everyone knew him as Big Cid., suggested to my father to bring me  to a speed practice. I did in fact go to the practice, the Coach was Virgil Dooley. I not only skated my brothers Bill and Jim also skated speed.

    Rowena Rozema who was also on the speed team continued to be my life during my skating years. I won my first Nationals in 1965 speed skating, I continued to win first place in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 2nd place in 1970. I especially liked skating the invitational  in Michigan and Ohio.

    I skated Freestyle in 1965 – 1969, my coaches were Jim Maisey, Mel Dwellis, Sandy Rangel and Jackie Zimmerman. In Freestyle at State Championships I didn’t do well in figures, but my freestyle did bring me up to placement, although never placed at Nationals. In 1967 I skated Dance with Rowena Rozema at Fleetwood Roller Rink in Summit, Illinois.

    The outdoor invitational meets at Staten Island, N.Y. were lots of fun. I skated with the team in 1974 that went to London, England, Coach Richard Levin and Don Calvano.

    In 1974 I married Rowena Rozema and in 1977 we had a son, Jason, 1979 a son Adam. We had our sons skating at a young age. Jason and Adam skated competitively for a few years while Rowena Coached at Oak Lawn Roller Rink in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Our son Jason is married to Tracie and they have two children, Jason and Julia. Our son Adam is married to Lizzie and they have two girls, Devin and Addison.

    Recently our son Jason said to me “Hey Dad why don’t we get back in skating and  Father and Son Relay !” So yes we are skating out of USA Skate Center in Romeoville, Illinois. My Grandson Jason who is 9 will be skating his first speed meet soon. Oh yes we