John was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, in 1950, and raised in Many, Louisiana, where he graduated from high school in 1968. Upon graduation, John began his employment with Hixson Brothers. A few months later, John received his “greetings letter” from Uncle Sam. John joined the Army in the summer of 1969 and soon was on his way to Vietnam. John served at the US Army Mortuary near Saigon which he describes as an honor and a very humbling experience. While he was not a combat soldier, he saw the evidence of how brutal combat can be. John received a bronze star for his service at the mortuary. Upon his return to the States, John was stationed at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, where he had the honor of serving as an escort for those soldiers who were killed overseas. This position afforded him lots of travel and the opportunity to meet many wonderful people. In 1972, John was honorably discharged from the Army. He returned to Hixson Brothers to complete his apprenticeship. In the Fall of 1973, John graduated from Commonwealth College of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas.
John is a member of the National and State Funeral Director’s Associations as well as the North Louisiana Association, where he served as an officer. In 1983, John was selected as “Funeral Director of the Year” by the North Louisiana Association.
John is a member of Fellowship Baptist Church near Dubach, Louisiana. His hobbies include golfing, fishing, knife collecting and working in his yard.
John is married to the former Maggie Green of Dubach. They have two sons, Jason and Stacy, and two very special grandchildren, Payton and Lawsen.
You can contact John via email at