John Alva O'Daniel

John Alva O’Daniel of Jonesboro, AR passed away on April 24, 2017 in Lake City, AR. He was born in Jonesboro, AR on January 12, 1935 to Samuel Shannon and Pearl Holt O’Daniel. John graduated from Bay High School in 1952 and received a bachelor’s degree in Business from Arkansas State University in 1958. He married Linda Kay Weld on August 13, 1961.

He proudly served his country in the US Army Reserves from 1954-1962. John worked for International Harvester/Navistar as a credit manager in both Memphis, TN and Plano, TX. In 1989, after 30 years with International Harvester/Navistar, John and Linda retired and moved to Jonesboro to be near family. John was a true gentleman who loved to dance! He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. When he was healthy he was an avid walker and tried to never miss his morning walks. He loved being outdoors and had a soft spot in his heart for animals.

John is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Linda Kay O’Daniel, his parents Samuel Shannon and Pearl O’Daniel, his brother William Carl O’Daniel, his sister Barbara Ann Keller, his sister Lucille Sinkey and his granddaughter Grace Elizabeth Vender.

John is survived by his son James Shannon O’Daniel of Haughton, LA and his wife Erin, his daughter Kelley Vender of Austin, TX and her husband Doug and their two children Reid and Arden. His brother Warren O’Daniel of Bay, AR.

Visitation will be held at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Monday, May 1st from 5-7:00 pm and services will be held Tuesday, May 2nd at 10:00 am in the Chapel at Emerson Funeral Home with interment immediately following at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in John’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://act.alz.org/donate