John Glisson

With his family by his side, John William Glisson, 85, of Raeford, North Carolina, slid into his divine race car and sped off to heaven on February 3, 2025.

Born on December 24, 1939, John was a special Christmas gift to his proud parents, Kathleen McNeill Glisson and William Bright Glisson (both deceased), who adored him and raised him to be a reliable, strong, intelligent, caring, and adventurous person. His second passion in life—after his beloved wife of nearly 59 years, Alice Davis Glisson—was high-speed, door-to-door stock car racing on both short tracks and superspeedways.

After graduating from Hoke County High School, John joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and later in Korea. Following his honorable discharge, he worked at Burlington Industries, Knit-Away, and Kelly Springfield/Goodyear Tire. In retirement, he filled his days with vegetable gardening, riding his electric scooter around the yard until he either got stuck in the field or the battery died, and collecting and burning the endless pinecones shed by the 40-year-old trees surrounding his home.

Johnny met the love of his life, Alice, on April Fool’s Day 1966 at Steve’s Drive-In in Fayetteville. He bet one of his good friends a case of beer that he would “marry that girl.” Six weeks later, on May 14, they snuck away to Dillon, South Carolina, and were secretly married. But as we all know, you can’t keep secrets in a small town. When Alice arrived home before curfew that night, her parents were suspicious. A few days later, her father asked if she had “married that boy” and, answering his own question, said “you better tell your mama”.

During their many happy years together, John and Alice traveled to exciting destinations, but one of their favorites was the Cayman Islands, where John developed a passion for scuba diving.

John and Alice couldn’t wait to start a family, and their children meant the world to them. Their daughter, Linda Glisson Clarkson (William Mitchell) of Norwalk, CT, and their son, John William Glisson II (Tabatha) of Princeton, NC, were helpful and sweet kids—until they became teenagers and tested his patience as often as they could.

John passed on his love of stock car racing to his daughter, Linda, who once joined him at a NASCAR driving school in Bristol, TN. They competed to see who was the faster driver on that high-banked, half-mile oval—you can guess who won. Instead of stock cars, his son John preferred motorcycles, which his father proudly taught him to ride and maintain. They also spent many afternoons target shooting at bullseyes, cans, and other creative targets John found around the house. John ensured his son was comfortable using all kinds of tools so he could confidently tackle DIY projects.

When she was still a toddler, John would push his granddaughter, Morgan Alexandra Glisson of Wilmington, NC, all around the yard in her shiny, red #8 race car—perhaps explaining her love of fast, sleek cars.

John had a soft spot for all critters and furry friends. He loved feeding the squirrels and birds, especially the cardinals and hummingbirds. Once, he even found a brown recluse spider living in the outside top corner of a window and named his new “pet” Fred. Fred stayed there for about a year until Alice decided it was time for him to find a new home.

When his most recent feline companion appeared on the porch, John and the cat bonded instantly. He named her Allie, but when she was taken to the vet to be spayed, John learned that “she” was, in fact, a “he.” In true John Glisson fashion, when Alice suggested they needed a new name, John immediately replied, “HerBe, ’cause her be a boy.”

John will always be remembered for his quick wit, wise and insightful advice, love of all animals, and his unwavering devotion to his family.

A graveside service for John was held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Antioch Presbyterian Church, 6583 Red Springs Rd., Red Springs, North Carolina with Pastor Terry Dooley officiating.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to First Health Hospice Foundation - 150 Applecross Rd. Pinehurst, NC 28374 or a favorite charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made on the Crumpler Funeral Home website.