John "Deacon" Embry

Memorial service celebrating the life of John Garland Embry will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Dr. Kenny Joyner, pastor of Willow Point Baptist Church and longtime friend of the family, will officiate. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 3:00 p.m. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 25, 1930, John was a lifelong resident of Shreveport and passed away on January 9, 2019 after a brief illness. He is survived by Margaret Hanson Embry, his wife of 63 ½ years; daughter, Dionne Embry Corie and son-in-law Ricky Corie; granddaughters, Allison Brannen (Del) and Ashley Staniford (Kerry); great-grandchildren, Makinley and Hadley Brannen and Parker and Presley Staniford, all of Shreveport, LA. He is also survived by nephews, Steve, Billy, and Randy Embry; Billy and Kelly Roland; great-nephew, Ryan Embry; and cousin, June Swiatowicz; and was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ollie Embry; sister, Janie Roland; and brothers, Stanley and W.R. "Buddy" Embry. He graduated from Fair Park High School and Oklahoma A&M and served in the U.S. Air Force in Japan during the Korean Conflict. John had a 34 ½ year career with the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, serving under five sheriffs. He was hired by Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy as a tax collector, became Director of the Tax Department, and retired as Chief Deputy of Administration under Sheriff Don Hathaway. He was a member of several professional organizations and the American Legion. He was an avid tennis player and loved baseball, especially the New York Yankees. John was a great man of God, an ordained deacon, served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons several times and in many other capacities through the years at Queensborough, Willow Point, and Summer Grove Baptist Churches. After retirement, he made several mission trips to Oregon, California, and Russia. Men of such character are a rare breed and John was one of those men. People looked to him for counsel and enjoyed his company and wit. He leaves a legacy for us to cherish and will be in our hearts to treasure forever. A special thank you to Helen Jane Ethridge and her family, Jud Hodge, Ray Sledge, and members of his Sunday School Class for their many years of friendship. Also, the family would like to thank Dr. Timothy Nichols, Amelia, Paula, and Sharon for their many years of care, and a special thanks to the doctors and staff at Willis-Knighton Pierremont and Cornerstone Hospitals for their care of our loved one. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3949, Shreveport, LA 71133-3949 or Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Shreveport, P.O. Box 1158, Shreveport, LA 71163.