John Henry Meyer of Jasper, Arkansas, passed away in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at the age of 80.

The son of the late Elmer John and Dorthy Claira (Kruse) Meyer was born on November 20, 1940 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

John grew up in rural western St. Louis County and on the family farm south of Hillsboro, Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 while in high school and entered active duty after graduation. He served as a heavy weapons infantry man (4.2" mortars), transferred to the combat engineers after discharge, and then into an 8" howitzer artillery battalion.

He graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a B.S. in Agriculture (Wildlife Biology). For 4 years he taught junior high science and biology and was a wrestling coach and cross-country coach.

After graduation from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, he returned to the University of Missouri to earn a Master of Science Degree in Forestry. John was employed for almost 30 years with the Missouri Conservation Department as a Forest-Wildlife Biologist and then as Wildlife Restoration Coordinator. He worked with ruffed grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, giant Canada geese, river otters, collared lizards and ospreys.

Continuing his U.S. Army career in the Reserve, John was Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sergeant and immediately accepted a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. He served 30 years with the 5503d U.S. Hospital (300 beds) in Columbia, Missouri, and retired with 41 years of honorable service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

John was a member and Sunday School teacher at Lurton Assembly for many years. He was a conservative, Pentecostal, born-again Christian, and was affiliated with Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and family worship center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

John is survived by his loving wife Sherry and 7 children between them. Jeff in Virginia, Terry in California, Julie, Michelle and Jennifer in Missouri, Todd in Colorado and Marc in Kansas. He is also survived by his sister Elaine (Meyer) Ferry in Florida, 14 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many other family and friends who will miss him.

A graveside service will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Tarlton Cemetery in Lurton

Visitation will be Monday from 5 PM – 7 PM at the funeral Home in Jasper.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.