JOHN GORDON HOLLINGSWORTH Jr.

John Gordon Hollingsworth Jr. passed away May 13, 2015 peacefully at his home in Memphis. He was 85 years of age. He leaves his beloved second wife Louise Baroni Hollingsworth of Memphis. Gordon was the first son of his late parents, John Gordon Hollingsworth Sr. and Marjorie Collins Hollingsworth of Memphis. Gordon was proud to be the grandson of Willis Henry Hollingsworth, who was a charter member and deacon of Bellevue Baptist Church when it was founded in 1903. Gordon continued to be an active member at Bellevue until his death. Gordon attended Snowden Jr. High School and graduated from Central High School with a full academic scholarship to Yale University, where he graduated in 1952. Upon graduation Gordon returned to Memphis and worked alongside his father in their wholesale plumbing supply business. For the next 30 years Gordon enjoyed a variety of successful endeavors including commercial and residential real estate, Southern Sales Manager for Trace Chemicals Incorporated, and worked with his oldest son Jay Hollingsworth as Quality Control Inspector on new construction projects in downtown Memphis. Gordon enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and participating in home owner association groups. He also served as a Reserve Officer for The Shelby County Sheriff's Department. He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Greta Marie Graham who was Miss Memphis and Miss Tennessee 1950, and his son John Gordon Hollingsworth, III. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Clay Hollingsworth of Memphis. He is survived by his five children, Dan Hollingsworth, Meg Hollingsworth, and Joseph Hollingsworth of Memphis; Ted Hollingsworth of Byhalia, MS and Nan Hollingsworth Gill of Kingwood, TX. He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Greta Beth, Philip, Tabor, and Nick Hollingsworth; Micah, Matthew, and Marcus Gill; and one great-granddaughter, Samantha Hollingsworth. Memorial service information for John Gordon Hollingsworth, Jr.: Monday, May 18, 2015. Visitation 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. with service to follow at 12 noon. Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Chapel, 2095 Appling Dr., Cordova, 38016. Funeral home arrangements: Forest Hill Funeral Home Midtown, 1661 S. Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38106. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to either of the following organizations: Madonna Learning Center, www.madonna learning.org 7007 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138; Church Planting and New Church Starts in the Tryon Evergreen Baptist Association (TEBA) ATTN: Dr. Roger Yancey, PO Box 2408 Conroe, Texas 77305-2408 www.teba.org