McCain, Jr. was born on January 17, 1911 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His father was John S. McCain, Sr.. He was raised in Washington, D.C.. McCain studied at Central High School. McCain was married to Roberta McCain from 1933 until his death in 1981. They had three children. McCain died on March 22, 1981 while on a plane in the middle of the North Atlantic after having a heart attack, aged 70.