Jonnie was born in 1925 by his missionary parents. He was brought up by Chinese Amah during the day. He spoke only Chinese during the day, English at night. He attended American schools in China until 1941 when the U.S government recommended that they leave. He finished high school and started college in 1943 and joined the navy until 1946, and finished college in 1948. He worked for G.E from 1948-1951, then for the U.S. Steel from 1951-1958. He taught at the University of Florida from 1958-1970 and from 1975-1993. He finished his MBA at the University of Florida in 1962 and his DBA at Western Colorado University in 1983. He became an associate in Block and Associates from 1958-1963, became president from 1963-1975, then went back to teaching in 1975. Jonnie had made ten trips to China from 1980-2007. He lectured, took Chinese language review, and toured.