John "Johnny" Southerland, Sr.

John "Johnny" Southerland Sr., 78 of Springdale died January 6, 2020 from a brief battle of cancer. He was born September 19, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Ray Virgil Southerland and Ida Mae Ripley. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vande Rickey Southerland; sons, John Ray Southerland, Jr. (Sande) of Little Rock and Robert Rickey "Rick" Southerland, grandchildren, Grant of Fayetteville and Presley and Ridge of Little Rock. He held a BBS degree from The University of Memphis and an MBA from Mississippi College. He served in the United States Marine Corps. John, working 44 years with Hoffmann-LaRoche Laboratories in medical sales and marketing, living 13 years in Jackson, Mississippi, moving to Little Rock for 30 years before retiring to Springdale. Remembered for achievements and sales skills and his talent for mentoring and training representatives, always stating the secret of the three P's — Patience, Persistence and Perseverance. John was inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame for his 10 years as the Arkansas Official's Chairman beginning in 1981, conducting clinics to standardize and upgrade officiating within the state, raising the quality of Arkansas swimming officiating to a national level. He officiated at both regional and national meets, The International Meet, The Olympic Sports Festival and The U.S. Olympic Trials. An avid runner, bicyclist, riding in Ragbrai and Hotter Than Hell 100, tennis player, enjoyed boating and camping on Lake Ouachita, a great cook and connoisseur of wine, traveling to the Gulf Coast. He treasured memories of duck hunting with his sons. After retiring he acquired his real estate license, became a Master Gardener, volunteered at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Mock Park in Prairie Grove, Master Naturalist, a member and president of the Sons Of The American Revolution, proud that his Patriot was a settler of Madison County Arkansas. He served on the board of the Washington County HIV Clinic. He was a Lifelong Sigma Chi and member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. His ashes will be scattered where he hunted with his sons. Memorial services, Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.