John Paul Mathis

John Paul Mathis, of Hackett, died November 12, 2011 at the age of 76, four weeks shy of his 77th birthday. He was born December 12, 1934 to Ocie and Georgia Mathis. John Paul was the youngest of four siblings; Mildred, Dorothy and Helen, all of whom preceded him in death.

John graduated from Hackett High School in 1953. He spent six years in the Navy, and was a successful barber in California and Arkansas. He retired from Hackett Public Schools after twenty-five years as a bus driver and maintenance man. John Paul was an active Master Mason, and a member of Black Diamond Lodge #549, Amity Lodge #267, and Jenny Lind Lodge #503.

He leaves behind his wife of forty-one years, Linda; one brother-in law, Harold Canup of Childress, TX; one sister-in law, Brenda Morris and husband, Harold of Van Buren; two daughters, Julie Larue Caruso and husband, Lou of Fort Smith, and Dawn Marie Gardner of Del Valle, TX; one son, Jonathan Mathis and wife, Carla of Bonanza; six grandchildren, Noelle Marquina of Las Vegas, NV, Ashley and Tyler Edwards of Bonanza, twins J.C. and Leslie, and Mason Mathis, all of Bonanza, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will visit with friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 16 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, Arkansas. A memorial service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Cremation and Masonic services will be at Mountain View Cemetery at a later date.

Honorary pallbearers will be Masonic Brethren of his respective lodges.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hackett Public Schools Education Foundation, Inc., 102 N. Oak St., Hackett, AR 72937.

To sign an online register book, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.