Johnny Gail Southerland
February 8, 1945 — January 17, 2024
Johnny G. Southerland, 78, of Conway, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, after a lengthy illness. He was born on February 8, 1945, in Conway, Arkansas, to the late George Everett Southerland and Mabel Davis Southerland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George Jr. and J.C. “Cate” Southerland; and a sister, Maureen Arnold.
He is survived by three sons, John, Joe, and Judd Southerland, and his wife, Cyndy, all of Conway; one granddaughter, Jordan Southerland of Little Rock; one brother, Harroll Southerland of Conway; devoted and loving girlfriend, Brenda Meeks of Conway; and his dog, Sparky Southerland.
He was a lifelong resident of Conway and attended Conway Public Schools with the Class of 1963. He completed basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and served with the Arkansas National Guard for eight years. He enjoyed dirt track racing in the early 1970’s, driving #28 on local racetracks, he won many races including numerous features, along with the good friend and racing partner, Homer Osborn.
He was known by his friends as “Shade tree” – when asked how he got the nickname, he would say he earned all his mechanical knowledge from his father, in the backyard under a shade tree. He retired from the Conway Public Schools Transportation Department as a lead mechanic after many years of service.
After retirement, he went to many auctions, flea markets, and estate sales. He enjoyed buying, selling, and negotiating. He also enjoyed meeting and talking to people along the way.
Visitation will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home.
Graveside will be at 2:00pm on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Macedonia Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George Jr. and J.C. “Cate” Southerland; and a sister, Maureen Arnold.
He is survived by three sons, John, Joe, and Judd Southerland, and his wife, Cyndy, all of Conway; one granddaughter, Jordan Southerland of Little Rock; one brother, Harroll Southerland of Conway; devoted and loving girlfriend, Brenda Meeks of Conway; and his dog, Sparky Southerland.
He was a lifelong resident of Conway and attended Conway Public Schools with the Class of 1963. He completed basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and served with the Arkansas National Guard for eight years. He enjoyed dirt track racing in the early 1970’s, driving #28 on local racetracks, he won many races including numerous features, along with the good friend and racing partner, Homer Osborn.
He was known by his friends as “Shade tree” – when asked how he got the nickname, he would say he earned all his mechanical knowledge from his father, in the backyard under a shade tree. He retired from the Conway Public Schools Transportation Department as a lead mechanic after many years of service.
After retirement, he went to many auctions, flea markets, and estate sales. He enjoyed buying, selling, and negotiating. He also enjoyed meeting and talking to people along the way.
Visitation will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home.
Graveside will be at 2:00pm on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Macedonia Cemetery.
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