of Mountain View, AR
February 4, 1922 - January 21, 2024
John Franklin Morrow, 101 and 11 months and 17 days, died peacefully Sunday, January 21, 2024 in Mountain View, Arkansas. He was born to Calvin Steven Morrow and Mary Matilda (Sisk) Morrow on February 4, 1922 in Big Flat, Arkansas. He and his nine siblings grew up in the Big Flat area on a farm on Big Creek. In his junior year of high school, he was asked to come play basketball at Marshall High School and Marshall won the state championship in 1942. He loved basketball as a high school player, as a college player, as a semi-pro player and as a coach. In fact, he played against the original Harlem Globetrotters twice.
At the age of 19, John had his father sign so he could volunteer to join the Army Air Corps in 1942. (Draft age, at the time, was 21.) Through a clerical error, he was given a draftee number and found himself in the US Army. He served primarily as a tank driver in WWII in General George Patton's 3rd Army in the 7th Armored Division in the European Theater. He saw action in many major World War II battles in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany including the Battle of the Bulge. His military decorations include the Purple Heart, the European Campaign Medal, with four bronze stars and recently the French Legion of Honor Medal.
When the war ended, he returned to Big Flat where he met and married Joyce Georgia Gammill. The couple attended college at Northeastern State Teachers College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. While in school, they had two sons Don and Gary. After graduation John had a varied career working as a coach and teacher, working for the Atomic Energy Commission, farming and in drywall construction.
John accepted Jesus as his Savior while living in Washington State. He was then called into the ministry and after attending Cedarville College in Ohio for two years, he became a Baptist minister, serving as a pastor in churches in Stone and Searcy County for over 60 years. He last served as Senior Care Minister for New Home Baptist Church in Wetumpka, AL until 2020.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (Gammill); his second wife, Carrie Nell (Gilliand); his son, Gary F. Morrow; his parents, Calvin and Matilda Morrow; brothers, Odell, TG, Troy and Calvin and sisters, Thelma Mathis, Eutah Balentine, VirginiaTreat, Clearsey Edens and Euvonna Stout.
He is survived by his son, Donald (wife, Paulette) and step sons, David (wife, Donna) Gilliand and Danny (wife, Donna) Gilliand and six grandchildren; four step grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.
Visitation is Friday, January 26, 2024 from 9:00-10:00AM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services will follow the visitation beginning at 10:00AM with Eric Sutton and Tollie Sutterfield officiating.
Pallbearers are John Morrow, Carson Morrow, Jim Morrow, Cameron Morrow, Nathan Morrow and Matthew Adams.
The family wishes to especially thank the nurses and techs at Stone County Hospital for the kindness and compassion they gave to John in his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to ABA Missions, PO Box 1050, Texarkana, Texas 75504 or Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090.
Roller Crouch of Mountain View was in charge of the arrangements with burial at Pordue Cemetery in Onia.
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19 Condolence(s)
Natasha Duncan
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
I had the pleasure of meeting John last year. I looked forward to every encounter, I always found time to listen to his amazing stories about his past. I’m truly thankful for every minute I was able to spend with him.
Garry Gammill
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Prayers for his family I remember John very well growing up around Timbo and Fairview a outstanding person him and his wife Joyce .
Béatrice Moore
Saturday, January 27, 2024
It was an honor to know him and all the Family.
Beatrice Moore, French Consul for Arkansas
Shirley J. Gray
Saturday, January 27, 2024
My thoughts and prayers goes out to the family.
Gladys Wallis
Friday, January 26, 2024
Mr. John was a great man and the best of friends with my mom and dad. I would have been at the visitation if I had not been out of town today. I know my parents would have attended but dad is gone and my mom is not able. It was an honor to know him. So very sorry for your loss. ~Punkin~
Mazie Lee
Friday, January 26, 2024
I will have all in my prayers. I will miss him but he is in a much better place now.
David Morrow
Thursday, January 25, 2024
I know your smiling with family one day we will meet again you are and will always be loved.
Bill and Zebbie McBride
Thursday, January 25, 2024
He was a wonderful teacher and Pastor. We are so sorry for your loss. The family will be in our prayers.
Danny & Martha Simmons
Thursday, January 25, 2024
RIP Thank you for your service to our nation. Thank the good Lord for your long and blessed life. Praying for your family.
Karen Kay Balentine-Knight
Thursday, January 25, 2024
John Morrow was a good and Godly man. I remember him a as contemporary of my dad’s plus the were related.
My prayers of comfort for his family.
Kay Balentine Knight
Chuck White
Thursday, January 25, 2024
John was a valued member of Post 4766 in Mt View. His stories about his service were greatly appreciated. He was a kind soul. We will miss him. RIP Brother.
Coy & Sue Horton
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Bro Morrow was our Teacher at Marshall high School and our pastor at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and Landmark Missionary Baptist. He was a good Teacher and great pastor. He will be missed but is at rest now in the Lord.
Sympathy and Prayers for his family.
Karen Lynn Galbreath
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Mr. Morrow was my teacher in Leslie. He was the senior class of 67 sponsor. One of my favorite teachers through school. I respected him a lot and thought so much of him. What a legacy! Family you will all be in my prayers. Mr Morrow rest easy!
Doug and Nancy Weaver
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Thank you, Mr. Morrow, for your service to our great country!! It is men like Mr. Morrow who made it possible to live in the land of the free because of the brave. Prayers to the family. He will be missed.
Mike and Donna Treat
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Prayers to all the family. So sorry for your loss.
Arthur Price
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Sorry to hear of Bro John's departure, he will be missed praying for family.
Mary Morrow
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
I will always remember his laugh. Such a warm feeling to hear.
Kim, Nathan, Brian, and all the family....My prayers are with y'all.
Mary and family
Martha Morrow Langhammer
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Brother Morrow What an amazing Man...I met him when I moved to Mountain View in 2009. I was trying to find out if we were related our names being Morrow. My daddy name was John Dale Morrow. I know he had a son Troy Dale..I was hoping with having the names John and a Dale.. my middle name is Dale.... I'm so so sorry for your loss...I loved the talks we would have ?? Prayers for his family
James Holt
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
I have a sad heart hearing of Brother John's passing. I pray God's comfort on his family. John was good friends with my mother and father, taking many trips with them. They thought very highly of him. May God bless and comfort you all.