John W. Troutt, Jr.

John W. Troutt Jr., 88, a lifelong resident of Jonesboro and longtime publisher and owner of The Jonesboro Sun, died Thursday night at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.
Troutt and his family owned The Jonesboro Sun for 99 years, selling to Paxton Media Group in October 2000.
Born October 10, 1929 to John W. Troutt Sr. and Helen Troutt, John attended Jonesboro schools and grew up in the newspaper business. He started carrying papers for the Jonesboro Evening Sun when he was 10 years old. From there he rose in the ranks from reporter to city editor and ultimately to editor and publisher from 1980 until the sale. Troutt was a major defender of the Freedom of Information Act.
He served in the army and was an Atomic Veteran witnessing the explosion of an atomic bomb in Nevada. He was also junior aide to Lt. General Bruce C. Clarke, then the commanding general of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood Tex.
He was active in many civic enterprises including City Youth and Jonesboro Unlimited. He also served as chairman of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. He was always a major booster of Northeast Arkansas and loved the area and its residents.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Greta Troutt; one son, Bob Troutt and his wife Pam of Jonesboro; his grandchildren, Scott Troutt and his wife Tiffany; Amanda Heringer her husband Brad; Aria Bennett Troutt; Mitchell Troutt; and Jacob Troutt; and his great grandchildren, Greta Grace Troutt, Clara Faith Troutt, Annette Hope Troutt and Harper Helen Heringer, all of Jonesboro. He was proceeded in death by one son, John Edward Troutt.
A memorial service will be held Monday, June 18 at 11:00 in First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro with the Rev. Fred Haustein officiating. Burial will be private. As memorials, the family requests consideration of the First United Methodist Church, City Youth or Arkansas Children’s Hospital.