Short answers, pulled from the story.
John the Apostle was the younger brother of James, another apostle. Church tradition states their mother was Salome, who some traditions suggest was the sister of Mary, making her Jesus' aunt.
Jesus allowed John to be one of only three apostles present at the Raising of Jairus daughter, the Transfiguration of Jesus, and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. He also stood near Jesus at the foot of the cross on Calvary alongside myrrhbearers and numerous other women.
Many place the Gospel of John somewhere between AD 65 and 85 while other scholars think an even later date perhaps up to 90-100 is applicable. Modern mainstream Bible scholars generally assert the Gospel of John was written by an anonymous author.
John is considered to have been exiled to Patmos during persecutions under Emperor Domitian. It is traditionally believed that John died of natural causes at Ephesus sometime after AD 98.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that John did not die but remained on earth as a ministering servant until the Second Coming. Druze tradition honors several mentors and prophets with John the Apostle honored as a prophet.