Johnson Paul Melhorn

JOHNSON PAUL MELHORN, 62, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2011, at the Arkansas Hospice Unit at St. Vincent Infirmary after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born in Memphis on Aug. 6, 1949, the second son of his late parents, Margrave (Margie) Paul Melhorn and Harry Melhorn, of Parkin. He leaves behind to mourn his passing his beloved wife, Katherine Bullard Melhorn, and their children, Henry and Helen Melhorn, who were the center of his life. Johnson had a long career in real estate with The Janet Jones Company, where he was regularly one of the top producers. He was well loved by his associates, his many clients and by a host of friends who loved his intelligence and integrity, his keen wit, and his caring and compassionate nature. He graduated from Parkin High School and earned a bachelor's degree in speech from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He earned a master's degree in audiology from Memphis State University and later a second master's degree in social work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was a life-long learner who loved people, travel, reading, music, movies, working in his yard, and his ritual brisk walks. A member of First United Methodist Church, he had a deep sense of service to others that was actualized by his involvement in the Interfaith Hospitality Network and his service on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Food Bank Network. He had a volunteer spirit that touched many efforts including his support of The AR Repertory Theatre, where Henry and Helen frequently performed to his and Katherine's great delight. Besides his immediate family, Johnson is survived by his four siblings: Mike Melhorn, of Wynne, Mel Melhorn (Jodi), of Harrison, Beca Brannon, of Batesville, Scott Melhorn (Gary Diggs), of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Will Bullard (Ellen English), of Little Rock, Jeff Bullard, of Los Angeles, Eleanor Pella (Peter), of Gettysburg, Pa., and Phillip Bullard (Brandi), of Philadelphia, Pa. In addition to ten wonderful nieces and nephews, Johnson is also is survived by an army of friends who share in the profound loss of his passing. At a birthday dinner for one of a close group of old friends last summer, there was discussion about what each wanted upon their deaths. Afterward, Johnson sent all of them an email saying, "at our age it's so nice to get to the nuts and bolts of death and dying while celebrating the life of someone we love so much. It's a relief to know who wants to be wrapped in what and sprinkled wherever…you know, it might be a good idea to write this down. And by the way, not that it is all about me, but remember I only want to be cremated and my ashes taken to NE Arkansas. No to ‘softly and tenderly,' no to twice-baked potatoes with cheese at an after-service lunch, and yes to good bourbon and wine!" The family is grateful to Dr. James Suen, Dr. Ric Bentley, Dr. Thomas Sneed, Dr. Glenn Davis, Dr. John Jones, the compassionate nurses at St. Vincent who attended him during his final weeks, and to the extraordinary care and love given him by the doctors and staff at Arkansas Hospice. A memorial service to honor and celebrate Johnson's life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20, at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Young Artists Guild at The AR Repertory Theatre, First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, or to a charity of one's choice. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.