John Melvin McAllister

John was born July 29, 1959, in Lebanon, Missouri, to William Howard and Lola Mae (Looney) McAllister. On June 2, 1984, he married Laurie Gastler on a ballfield in Apache Flats, Missouri.

John attended Lebanon High School, where he was two-time athlete of the year and a five-sport letterman. He played baseball, football, basketball and golf, and he participated in track and field. He still holds his high school’s long-jump record. He attended Missouri Southern University on a full-ride football scholarship. He played tight end and was named rookie of the year in 1977-78.

John was a lifelong truck driver and worked 30 years for FedEx, which recently recognized him with a 28-year safe driver award.

He enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball and playing golf at Columbia’s public courses. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. John never missed watching a Super Bowl and was thrilled when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV earlier this year. He also loved to barbecue.

John loved his family fiercely. In addition to his wife, Laurie, he is survived by children, Ryan McAllister (Erica) of Hallsville, Katelyn Swafford (Jacob) of Albany, Missouri, and Kelli McAllister of Columbia; brothers, Howard McAllister (Dana) of Lebanon, Wayne McAllister (Paula) of Lebanon, Bill McAllister (Lena) of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Darrell McAllister (Jane) of Norwalk, Iowa; grandchildren, Connor and Mason McAllister of Hallsville, and Jackson Swafford of Albany; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to an education fund for John’s grandchildren, checks payable to Laurie McAllister with "Grandkids Education Fund" in the memo, in care of Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, MO 65202.