John was married to the love of his life, Jeannie (Ross) Nast for 55 years. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and steady devotion. He was an amazing father, a loving husband, and a proud grandfather who adored his grandchildren.
John owned a business selling store fixtures and spent many of his working years in Walmart stores. He was known for his strong work ethic and for giving opportunities to young people and others who had a hard time finding jobs. He showed up, every time, no questions asked.
For the past 38 years, John was a faithful member of Denver Street Baptist Church. His faith mattered deeply to him, and he lived as a man of truth, integrity, and loyalty. John was dependable, steady, stubborn, and wonderfully ornery. He had nicknames for just about everyone, greeted people with his classic “Yell-ow,” and loved getting a rise out of people through jokes and teasing. He loved bass fishing, NASCAR, four-wheeling, and sitting on the porch “checking the weather.”
John is survived by his wife, Jeannie (Ross) Nast; his daughter, Becky Whitfield; his daughter-in-law, Lacey Nast; his bonus daughter, Debbie Sobolewski and her husband, Matt; his grandchildren, Rylee Whitfield, Tristen Whitfield, Gracie Nast, Hadley Belle Whitfield, Hampton Whitfield, and Raelynn Nast; his bonus grandchildren, Weston Hood and Bethany Hood; his brother, Earl “EJ” Nast Jr. and his wife, Nancy; and his sisters, Ruth Ann Sims, Linda Sue Hamilton, and Dianne Needham.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Davey Nast; his parents, Earl Sr. and Sallie Nast; his brother, Stephen Nast and his sister, Zena Bowman. John carried the loss of Davey for the rest of his life, and his family finds comfort in knowing he is now reunited with his boy in Heaven.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, May 21 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Steep Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be held Wednesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
For those who wish to honor John’s memory, memorial donations may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, AR 72762.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
