John Elbert Marcom

John Elbert Marcom, a longtime Jonesboro resident and business leader, died at his home Sunday at the age of 83. Marcom was the founder of Guaranty Mortgage Company, which for more than 40 years developed real estate and built and sold homes and apartments in Jonesboro. Guaranty developed numerous subdivisions, including the neighborhoods of Western Heights, Fairview, Country Club Terrace, Brookhaven, Merrywood, and Indian Hills. After retiring as a developer, he joined Fred Dacus Associates as associate broker and later was associate broker at ReMax Real Estate Centre. He was the founding member of the Jonesboro Board of Realtors and NEA Homebuilders Association. He was proud to have earned the badge of Eagle Scout. He served as Chairman and President of First Bank & Trust of Jonesboro (now the Simmons First Bank) from 1966 to 1983. He was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Marcom was born in Lepanto, then moved with his parents to Lake Providence, La., graduating from Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in Port Gibson, Miss. He attended Louisiana State University and served in the U.S. Air Force before returning to Arkansas to start his business career. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Pearl Marcom, and sister, Evelyn Eatman, all of Shreveport, La. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Rebsamen Marcom,; a daughter, Mary Kathryn, both of Jonesboro; and a son, John, Jr., a resident of San Francisco. His beloved Boykin Spaniel Sam was never far from his side. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Cornerstone United Methodist Church. The Rev. Chris Hemund, the Rev. Jeanne Williams and the Rev. Edward Pruett will officiate at the service. For those sending a memorial the family asks that consideration be given to Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 1610 Disciple Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401 or to the John E. Marcom, Sr., Scholarship Fund at Memphis University School, 6191 Park Ave., Memphis, Trnn. 38119-0381. Marcom donated his body to the Medical and Education and Research Institute through the Genesis Program, a medical education hands-on training and research facility based in Memphis.