John Earl Lockhart

John Earl Lockhart, age 76, of Lansing, Michigan passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024. John was born April 20, 1948, in Clarksdale, Mississippi to Will and Pearl Lockhart. As a young child, his family moved to Lansing, MI where he spent the rest of his life.

John was educated in the Lansing School District and graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1966, where he excelled at football. In October 1966, he joined the United States Army serving his country in Vietnam as a Military Police from March 1967- March 1968 and honorably discharged from service in 1971. He went on to graduate from Michigan State University with a Criminal Justice degree in 1973.

His professional career began in December 1969 with the Lansing Police Department where he worked as a Police Officer until November 1973. He left LPD to begin his almost 35 years at the State of Michigan. He was most recently working part time for the MSU Police and Public Safety where he got to talk to fellow Spartan fans as a parking attendant for events on campus.

John married Jacquelyn (Jackie) Gatewood in 1968 and was married to her until her death in July 2009. Together they had three children Sean Lockhart (Delicia), Nick Lockhart and Heather McBrien (Jared).

As a young man, John developed a love for giving back. He was very active in the community where he touched the lives of many as a youth mentor, an umpire for the City of Lansing, a youth baseball and football coach as well as a high school football coach at Lansing Sexton. John was very passionate about Michigan State athletics (Go Green!) and anything to do with his family.

John was preceded in death by his mother and father, wife Jackie, siblings: Lemmie Lockhart, Sr., Willie B. Durant, Ora Mae Vaden, Eddie Lee Vaden, Agusta (Gussie) Miller, Alice Knox, Gorga Hamilton, Panola Morrell and Will Lockhart, Jr.

John leaves to cherish his memory, his children, grandchildren whom he adored: Alexis Lockhart, Kayla Riley (Zay), Aaron Lockhart II, Stefan Jones, Jacob Lockhart and Anthony Lockhart II and two great-granddaughters: Carleigh and Myla, as well as his special friend, Carla Geller.

In lieu of flowers, consider doing something positive for your community.

A celebration of life for John will be held Friday, November 8, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 East Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912.