John Stotts

Lloyd John Stotts Jr. of Jonesboro was born on August 16, 1934 to Lloyd & Bernice Stotts of Lake City, Arkansas and passed walking with Jesus from this life on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at St. Bernard’s Hospice.

He grew up in Lake City where he was an honor graduate from Lake City High School and was recognized for being an outstanding basketball and baseball player.

After graduation, he played baseball for Arkansas State University and was later drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals where he played on their farm club until an injury shortened his pro baseball career. He remained a lifetime Cardinals fan. He later graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

John was an avid crappie fisherman. He found great delight in catching fish, but even more in cleaning and then giving away the fish fillets.

John was employed as a bookkeeper by Delta Farms Company in Lake City for number of years early in his career, served as a Boy Scout Leader, was a member of the Arkansas National Guard for six years, founded and managed an accounting business in Lake City with partner Oliver Armstrong, and is a past president of the Jonesboro Rotary Club. He began a career with Arkansas State University in 1967 after completing the Certified Accounting Degree and was recognized and awarded for achieving the highest total score on the CPA exam. In 1971 then Arkansas State president, Dr. Carl R. Reng, named John as Vice-President for Finance. He served ASU for 12 years before leaving to open his own accounting firm in Jonesboro.

John married his high school sweetheart, Norma Carner.

He was a 41 year member of Central Baptist Church where he taught Jr. High boys Sunday School, was a member of Finance & Stewardship Team, and served on the church’s Building Team during the construction of their new church facility now located on Harrisburg Road.

John will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, loyalty and his ability to make others smile and laugh with his fishing stories, dry wit, and humorous jokes.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and many aunts and uncles who were all dear to him.

He is survived by: his wife, Norma of the home; daughter, Patti Panneck & husband Dr. Bill Panneck of Jonesboro; daughter, Melissa Cole & husband Randall Cole of Little Rock; son Dan Stotts of Memphis; son David Stotts of Jonesboro; grandson Michael Panneck of Jonesboro; granddaughter, Susanna Cole of Little Rock; 3 sisters: Carolyn Leighton, Francis Smallwood, and Louise Milligan all of Jonesboro; one brother Jim Stotts of Jonesboro: and best friend, Bob Parham of Jonesboro.

Honorary pallbearers will be Blake Barber, Sonny Barker, Jerry Bowman, Joe Carner,
Marion (Buddy) Carner, Scott Despain, Tim Short, Bo Sefers, Larry Nall, Donald Timms, and the members of Bill Nolte’s Sunday School Class at Central Baptist Church.

Active pallbearers will be Dr. Bill Panneck, Michael Panneck, Curt Huckaby, Matt Huckaby, Andy Milligan, and Eric Brown.

The family will receive guests at 1203 Wood Cove, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Visitation will be held at Emerson and Sons Funeral Home on Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A Memorial service will be held at Central Baptist Church on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Mike Martin and Dr. Bill Panneck officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials may be made to the Arkansas Alzheimers Foundation, 110411 W. Markham St., Suite 130, Little Rock, AR 72205-1409, or the charity of your choice.