John Walvoord was one of the most prominent evangelical scholars of his generation. He is perhaps best known for his bestselling work on Bible prophecy, Armageddon, Oil and the Middle East Crisis, which sold over 2 million copies and was printed in 16 languages. Shortly after the publication of the second edition in 1990, Dr. Walvoord received a call from The White House requesting a copy. It made a powerful impression; more copies were requested almost immediately. Members of President George H.W. Bush's White House Staff read it to deepen their understanding of events in the Middle East.

John was a member of the DTS faculty for 50 years, from 1936 to 1986. He served as president from 1952 to 1986, and as chancellor until 2001. He continued to teach and preach until a few weeks before his death at the age of 92. His wife, Geraldine, partnered in the seminary ministry by launching and leading the Dallas Seminary Wives' Fellowship in 1953. This educational ministry to the spouses, of what was then an all-male student body, continued under her leadership for more than 40 years.