John "Cockaroo" A. Holifield

John retired from General Motors after 25 years as a machine operator and was a member of the United Auto Workers and the American Legion. He proudly served in the United States Army and was a communications operator. In the Army he learned to speak eleven different languages fluently. Some of John's hobbies include bowling, pool and he enjoyed visiting the Senior Citizen Center on Hedges Street to play cards.

He is survived by his children, Dawn Schaub, Cleve (Nicole Briggs) Gordon, and James "Shorty" (Sharon Ellis) Gordon all of Mansfield; mother, Jessie Mae Foster of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandchildren, Porsha VanBuren, Joseph Smith, Tyler Smith, Nauteca Gray, Jamarkus O'Neal, Julia Cline, Tanesha Gordon, Lativia, Tazman, and Jazmine Sherrod; nineteen great-grandchildren; brother, Joe Holifield of Tuscaloosa, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Holifield; his father; sons, Leon Gordon and Demarco Lindsey; grandson, Anthony Schaub; and great-grandchild, Jamarkus O'Neal Jr..

A gathering of family and friends may call from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond Street. The memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.