John Sleezer trained as a combat photographer in the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood before taking his first job as a staff photojournalist in Kansas in 1980. In 1987, he became the chief photojournalist at the Columbia Daily Tribune, and he spent 31 years at The Kansas City Star mostly photographing the Royals and the Chiefs. He also covered daily news and feature stories including Final Four basketball tournaments and World Series games. While at The Kanas City Star, he served as temporary picture editor in each of the three picture desk positions at the paper (assignment editor, features editor, and night editor). His success stories include developing and implementing a training program to transition the photography staff during the years of transition from film-based still photography to digital photography and video. His photography has been earning awards since 1978, including an NFL Pro Football Photograph of the Year and The Full Nelson Award. He also volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America, including four years as Cub Scouts leader and nine years as a Boy Scouts leader