John Grady Hearn

Of John's many accomplishments, he was most proud of the family he built together with Phyllis, with whom he shared 46 beautiful years of marriage. He was the husband and dad that everyone deserves to have. In his children's youth, he could be found coaching Dixie Youth baseball or showing up to watch his girls cheer and dance. John found happiness pulling kids and grandkids behind his boat, watching sports and slapstick comedies, and maintaining a beautiful yard. He loved music, and laughter, and dancing…but most of all, his family.

John was born in Bemis, Tennessee on March 23, 1944. He attended Jackson High School where he loved playing football and spending time with his friends who were like family to him. Upon graduation he attended Lambuth College then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where went to work for Hohenberg Brothers, a cotton trading company. In Memphis, he met Phyllis, and their connection was immediate. Two years later they married.

In 1972, John was offered an Associate position at Kaufman Seeds, Inc. in Ashdown, Arkansas. He increased his knowledge of the business and grew global commerce for this small town, buying and selling seed internationally and throughout the United States. In 1990 he purchased the business. He was recognized widely as a leader and mentor in his industry. In 2013 he was awarded the Southern Seed Association Seedman of the Year.

John was a very civic-minded man, giving much of his time to community improvement in the 43 years he spent in Ashdown. He served as President of Mt. Sinai Congregation and was a member of the Ashdown School Board, Ashdown Zoning Commission, the First National Bank Board, and Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas Board of Directors. Upon closing his business in 2011, he donated land to the City of Ashdown to develop a park in the downtown business district.

John was a member of Mt. Sinai Congregation in Texarkana, Texas; Congregation House of Israel in Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Temple Beth Shalom in Austin, Texas.

John was preceded in death by his mother and father, Sue Nell Horne and John Grady Hearn, Senior. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; three children, Michael Hearn, Susan Hearn Laves and husband Stuart Laves, and Laura Hearn and fiancé Todd Sussman; two grandchildren Alissa and Lucy Laves; his brother and sister-in-law Reid and Pat Hearn; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joe and Rebecca Ruskin; nieces Traci Hearn Biggs, DeeAnna Ruskin Schafer, Marcy Ruskin Gutow and nephew Franklin Reid Hearn, Jr.

John will be remembered most by his family for his fun-loving attitude towards life…always laughing and dancing. And he taught us this very important lesson: Life will bring great times and tough obstacles, and when challenges occur, courage and tenacity will get you through.

John will be laid to rest at Temple Beth Shalom at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Austin, Texas, on July 1, 2016 at 11:00 in the morning. A memorial service will be planned for a future date in Ashdown, Arkansas. In an attempt to increase awareness of Myasthenia Gravis, tributes may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. If you wish, you may donate here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E248489&id=3