Embree is a native of Randolph County, North Carolina where he attended Ramseur High School and was a member of the wrestling and track teams. Embree wrestled four years at Appalachian State University for Coach Steve Gabriel, graduating in 1967.  For almost 50 years, Embree has enjoyed a distinguished career as an official and regional supervisor. He officiated middle school, high school and collegiate matches including over 20 NCHSAA state wrestling tournament championships and multiple NCHSAA dual team finals. Embree officiated the High School Dual Team Championships at the Disney Duals, and the Tournament of Champions in Columbus, Ohio. Working as an official in the Atlantic Coast Conference for 12 years, Embree called Coach Bill Lam's final dual match at UNC-Chapel Hill. In addition to joining the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013, Embree received the NCHSAA's Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award for officiating in 2014. Currently Embree continues to serve wrestling as the Regional Supervisor for the East Central Wrestling Association in North Carolina.