Career Timeline of John Wayne Gacy: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 12, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Wayne Gacy made an impact.

John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer, known as the "Killer Clown," who murdered at least 33 young men and boys in the Chicago area. He committed heinous acts of rape and torture before killing his victims, many of whom were buried in the crawl space of his home. Gacy's public persona as a clown contrasted sharply with his horrific crimes, adding to the notoriety of the case. His trial and conviction were highly publicized, making him one of the most infamous serial killers in American history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1963: Graduation from Northwestern Business College

In 1963, Gacy graduated from Northwestern Business College and took a management trainee position with the Nunn-Bush Shoe Company.

September 1964: Marriage to Marlynn Myers

In September 1964, Gacy married Marlynn Myers, and they moved to Waterloo, Iowa, to manage Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants.

1964: Transferred to Springfield, Illinois

In 1964, the Nunn-Bush Shoe Company transferred Gacy to Springfield, Illinois, and he became engaged to Marlynn Myers.

1965: Vice-president of the Springfield Jaycees

By 1965, Gacy had risen to the position of vice-president of the Springfield Jaycees and was named the third most outstanding Jaycee in Illinois.

1967: Outstanding vice-president

In 1967, Gacy was named "outstanding vice-president" of the Waterloo Jaycees and served on the board of directors.

1971: Gacy Establishes PDM Contractors

In 1971, John Wayne Gacy established a part-time construction business called PDM Contractors, standing for Painting, Decorating, and Maintenance. With his probation officer's approval, Gacy worked evenings on construction contracts while working as a cook during the day.

1973: Gacy Quits Job as Cook

In mid-1973, Gacy quit his job as a cook to fully commit to his construction business, PDM Contractors.

1975: PDM Expanding Rapidly

By 1975, PDM, Gacy's construction business, was expanding rapidly, and Gacy was working up to sixteen hours per day.

1975: Gacy Appointed Director of Chicago's Polish Constitution Day Parade

In 1975, Gacy was appointed director of Chicago's annual Polish Constitution Day Parade. Through this work, he met and was photographed with First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

May 23, 1976: Michael Rossi Begins Working for PDM

Michael Rossi, who was 18 years old, began working for PDM on May 23, 1976.

July 26, 1976: Gacy Picks Up David Cram and Offers Him a Job

On July 26, 1976, Gacy picked up 18-year-old hitchhiker David Cram and offered him a job with PDM. Cram began working the same evening.

March 1977: Gacy Becomes a Supervisor for PE Systems

In March 1977, Gacy became a supervisor for PE Systems, a firm specializing in the remodeling of drugstores.

1978: PDM Annual Revenue Exceeds $200,000

By 1978, PDM's annual revenue was over $200,000, indicating the success of Gacy's construction business.

1978: Gacy Supervises Polish Constitution Day Parade for the Last Time

In 1978, Gacy supervised Chicago's annual Polish Constitution Day Parade for the last time, having served as its director since 1975. His association with the event and photograph with Rosalynn Carter later caused embarrassment to the United States Secret Service.

1979: Facial reconstructions created

In the fall of 1979, forensic expert Betty Pat Gatliff used the skulls of the remaining unidentified victims to create facial reconstructions.

1984: Missing Child Recovery Act of 1984

In 1984, Sam Amirante authored procedures that were incorporated by the Illinois General Assembly into the Missing Child Recovery Act of 1984, which removed the 72-hour waiting period for initiating a search for a missing child in Illinois. This led to a national network that eventually developed into the Amber Alert system.