Johnny Gene Fletcher, 83, of Houston, Arkansas left his earthly body to be with the Lord on April 18, 2024. Born August 9, 1940 to John Gould and Ruth Ida (Durham) Fletcher of Little Rock, he grew up with a great love of the outdoors. He attended Little Rock Central High School, and upon graduation began working with his father in the sheet metal industry, eventually owning a shop and construction business. John married his first wife Carolyn Wilkerson in 1959 and they had three children, Cynthia Lee, Rhonda Lynn, and Johnny Robin. As a young husband and father, he became heavily involved in local civic activities. He joined the Pulaski County Mounted Patrol, where he worked with his favorite horse Joker, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #60, where he served a term as President. Equally important to him was finding time to introduce his children to his passions: motor-cross racing, camping, hunting, fishing, grilling, poker, and pool.
Later, John married his childhood friend and love, Lois Ruth Shue Knight, bringing three bonus children into his life, Michael, Debbie, and Rick. Together, he and Lois enjoyed gathering with family and friends to grill, smoke meat, and listen to music. He could always be counted on to be the life of the parties and cookouts, bringing levity with his quick witted jokes for any and every topic of discussion, and entertainment with his magic tricks that captivated the grandkids, even the skeptical teens, for as long as he was willing to perform.
Beginning in the semi-retirement years, he and Lois spent more time taking weekend trips to crawfish and music festivals, and every fall they parked their motorhome at the Redfield Sportsman Club deer camp for the duration of the season. Unless there was a dire emergency, John never missed Tuesday night pool. Perfecting his game through tournament play, he qualified multiple times for the national tournament in Las Vegas, where he earned a top spot as 17th in the country. He played his final game last month at Krome Billiards in North Little Rock.
An eight year cancer survivor, John Gene Fletcher was a strong, dynamic man that kept a positive attitude even in the midst of declining health. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Welcoming him to his heavenly home were his parents, John and Ruth, his sister Nancy Fletcher, son Mike Knight, sons-in-law Tommy Yates and Randy Couch, grandsons Thomas Yates and Alex Fletcher, granddaughter Amanda Yates, and great granddaughter Olivia Blum.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lois Fletcher, daughters Cindy Yates, Rhonda Couch, and Debbie (Ken) Buck, sons Rob (Lisa) Fletcher, and Rick (Dawn) Knight, daughter-in-law Jan Knight, 17 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his beloved dog Toot.
A visitation will be held Thursday April 25, 2024 at 2:00pm with a service immediately following at 3:00pm in the chapel of A Natural State Funeral service.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
5 Comments
My sympathy goes to Johns wife Lois and his great family. Thanks for helping keep this good man in my life!
My most enjoyable memories are the dove hunts on Fletcher Road out by the airport. Great food and fellowship. I hated 🙂 playing John in pool, a tough competitor for sure!
He was always a fun guy. Dorben and I loved him
Sending love & sympathy to your family. Fletch was always so very nice & kind to both Alan & I. Good memories of a good man.
Wow! It’s a sad day for all who knew John. He and Lois were such great people! My favorite memory was when the 3 of us went to Las Vegas and the hearing aid batteries catching fire in John’s pocket of his overalls! We were standing in the Buffet line and he begins to dance a jig! Me & Lois didn’t know what was going on! This man even started clapping! Somehow those batteries connected and it burned a hole in his pocket and burned his leg a little. They were always fun to be around. I will miss his sweet personality and his pool game. RIP my dear friend.
So saddened to hear about(Fletch). He was a dear friend and we’ll always remember his great sense of humor.With prayers, the Thorpes.
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