DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) – The creator of a Derby delicacy, Pizza John's, has died. When John McCulloch returned home from his time in the army, Derby had just a stop light or two and nowhere to get a fresh slice of pizza. That all changed when McCulloch and a friend shelled out $3,000 to open what would become known as Pizza John's in 1969. More than half a century later, regulars say they've lost their town's pizza pioneer. A legacy created in building tradition. "John is an institution here in Derby," said Dana Quigley. McCulloch opened his pizza parlor in the 1960s, the first pizza restaurant in town. Fast forward to 2025, family friend and regular Dana Quigley said it's a staple, and John always jumped at the opportunity to uplift their community. Diner hidden for 50 years in Winfield, couple hopes to restore it to its Wichita heyday "He is got a heart of gold, he was the kindest man ever, he was a strong Derby supporter. When there were maybe only one or two stop lights in town, Pizza John was here, and he's always been a strong family man," said Quigley. Family is now the foundation of the shop. McCulloch's daughter, Kristina, stepped up to run it 10 years ago when McCulloch got sick. Her daughter, Ashley Roby, now calls it their life's work, continuing to run his business. "It's just our life, it's my life, it's everything that I've known; it still feels like he's in there; he was here so much that I don't think any essence of him is ever going to leave," said Roby. It's a business McCulloch built to stand the test of time.