John Winchester

John Winchester was the father of Sam Winchester and Dean Winchester, Adam Milligan and the husband of Mary Winchester.

Background
John began his hunting "career" on approximately November 2, 1983, following the death of his wife. His primary goal, as a hunter, was to kill the Yellow-Eyed Demon: Azazel, for murdering the mother of his children.

John is a native of Lawrnce, Kansas. He left to fight in Vietnam as a Marine, he held the rank of Corporal. He later returned to Lawrence where he worked as a Mechanic. On April 30th 1973, John bought a 1967 Cheverlot Impala second hand at Rainbow Motors, after being convinced by Dean (Whom unbeknownst to him, was his son.)

John had a history with Mary Campbell, although before falling in love (under the influence of a Cherub), they couldn't stand each other. John intended to propose to Mary, however he was killed by Azazel (Who was possessing Mary's father Samuel.) Mary then made a deal to bring him back. In exchange for him to be allowed to give Sam his blood. (This condition was unknown to Mary.)

After Mary died, John went to a psychic named Missouri. He learned the truth about Mary's past and of the Supernatural. He left Lawrence with his sons Sam and Dean. He dedicated his life to hunting down the Yellow eyed Demon.

John accumilated a vast knowledge of the Supernatural, writing a journal of the creatures he hunted. He was a well regarded hunter by his peers. John worked with several other hunters. Most notably, Bobby Singer, William Harvelle and a priest named Caleb.

His life as a hunter led to strain between him and his son Sam, who wanted to quit hunting, leading to an arguement where John told Sam if he left he would have to stay away. However John regretted saying it, as he didn't want Sam to be on his own. John would even stop by Stanford every so often just to make sure he was all right, (Unbeknownst to Sam.) John Admitted it was never his intention to raise his sons the way he did.

Around August or September of 2002, after Sam had left for Stanford University, John recieved a call from Kate Milligan, a nurse who had treated John several years previously in Windom, Minnesota. She informed him that he had a son by her named Adam who was twelve at the time. According to Adam, John "dropped everything" and drove all night to Windom. After the initial meeting, John had sporadic contact with Adam, he taught him to play poker, taught him to drive in the Impala and bought him his first beer when he was fifteen. He also took him to ball games on his birthday. It can be suggested that perhaps John was trying to replace Sam with Adam who was away at Stanford when he first met Adam. John never mentioned Adam to either Sam or Dean who only learned about him around two years after John's death.

Season 1
Living with Dean twenty-two years later, he mysteriously vanishes and Dean is forced to recruit his brother, Sam. Through many obstacles and life-threatening challenges, the two brothers overcame the supernatural and eventually met up with their father. Although powerful and all-knowing, John's weaknesses are his children and friends and Meg Masters took advantage of that. Meg, slowly killing John's friends one by one, tells John to bring the Colt, a gun that will kill anything with a single bullet. Knowing its a trap, John brings Meg a fake gun. After realizing his trick, Meg captures John, luring Dean and Sam. Knowing that Meg is somehow connected to the Yellow-Eyed Demon, the brothers seek the guidance of Bobby Singer. There, Meg falls into a trap and is exorcised.

Getting a clue from Meg, the brothers rescue their father from demons but soon discover that he's possessed by Azazel. Tempted to kill him, Sam points the Colt at him. A hesitating Sam lets the demon exit John. Now, needing to start their search all over, the family falls victim to a fatal car accident caused by a demon.

Season 2
This accident leaves Dean nearly dead, hanging between the physical realm and the afterlife, and forces John to wager his soul and the Colt for Dean's resurrection.

Towards the end of season 2, Azazel uses the Colt to open the Devil's Gate, releasing hundreds of Demons including John. As Azazel is about to end Dean's life, John's Spirit emerges and pulls Azazel from his human body. Although Azazel is able to regain his body - it's too late - as Dean pulls the trigger on the Colt, killing the demon and ending the Winchester's 24 year quest. Soon after, John's soul says his final goodbye to Sam and Dean - disappearing, presumably going to Heaven.

Season 3
In "Long-Distance Call", a supernatural creature called the Crocotta imitates John's voice and tries to lure Dean to his death. Sam, however, catches on and saves his brother.

Season 4
In the fourth season episode "In The Beginning," John's background is revealed. At first, he never knew about the supernatural until Mary's death several years later, but died once at the hands of Mary's father who was possessed by Azazel. Mary then makes a deal with Azazel that brings John back in exchange for Azazel being able to come into Sam's nursery in 1983.

Season 5
In the season five episode "The Song Remains the Same", it was revealed that John allowed the Archangel Michael to use his body as a vessel in 1978, to protect his wife and sons (who traveled from the future).

It was later revealed by a cupid in "My Bloody Valentine" that he was behind John and Mary's union and that it was ordered by the "higher-ups". However, the angel also added that he can only bring the two lovers together; the love they feel afterwards is completely of their own volition.

Relationships

 * John and Dean- John and Dean's relationship.
 * John and Sam - John and Sam's relationship.
 * John and Mary- John and Mary's relationship

Family
Mary Winchester (Wife)

Dean Winchester (Eldest son)

Sam Winchester (Second son)

Adam Milligan (Youngest son)

Cain and Abel (Ancestors) - In was revealed by Michael, that it's through the Winchester bloodline that makes Dean the perfect host for him and that bloodline goes all the way back to Cain and Abel

Season 1

 * "Pilot"
 * "Phantom Traveler" (Voice)
 * "Home"
 * "Scarecrow"
 * "Faith" (Voice, re-used footage from Phantom Traveler)
 * "Shadow"
 * "Something Wicked"
 * "Dead Man's Blood"
 * "Salvation"
 * "Devil's Trap"

Season 2

 * "In My Time of Dying"
 * "Everybody Loves a Clown" (Corpse at the beggining of the episode)
 * "All Hell Breaks Loose - Part 2" (Non-speaking)

Season 3

 * "Long-Distance Call" (Voice)

Season 4

 * "In The Beginning" (Younger version)

Season 5

 * "The Song Remains the Same" (Younger version)
 * "Swan Song" (Flashback)

Season 6

 * "Exile on Main Street" (Flasback, younger version)

Trivia

 * John drove a 1983 GMC Sierra. It had a closed console which had a high-tech box to house his weapons.
 * John is a veteran of the Vietnam war.
 * Because of his military life, it can be assumed that he used that same mindset to train his sons in the hunter lifestyle.
 * According to Bobby Singer, the last time he had seen John, he had threatened to shoot him for some offense.
 * John never visited Mary's grave site.
 * Even though his wife had many family members, John never had relations with them after her death.
 * Though John had a much younger son by another relationship, he never told Adam the truth about his family instead preferring to do regular father-and-son activities.
 * Season seven is the only season where John has not appeared in some form or another. He was reported to make an appearance in the Season 7 finale, but this turned out to be an April Fool's joke.
 * John Winchester has been in 3 worlds, Earth, Hell and Heaven, chronologically.