John McConathy

1930 - 2016

John R. McConathy

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Funeral services for John R. McConathy, 86, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Bossier in the Worship Center. Officiating will be Dr. Brad Jurkovich of First Baptist Church of Bossier assisted by Pastor Justin Haigler of The Simple Church. Burial will be at Williamson Cemetery in Sailes, LA with Dr. Fred Lowery, retired pastor of First Baptist Church of Bossier officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 in the Worship Center.

Mr. McConathy of Bossier City, LA went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 19, 2016. John was born April 9, 1930, in Sailes, LA, to his parents Oliver Leslie and Marie Cole McConathy. A resident of Bossier City for 60 years, John was a wise and greatly admired leader in the community. To many he was fondly and respectfully known as Mr. Chairman, Big John, Mr. John, Hound and Coach; to his family he was Daddy and Pappy. Mr. John served as an educator for 31 years, starting his career in the Bienville Parish School System. He spent the remaining 26 years in Bossier Parish, retiring as Bossier Parish Superintendent of Schools in 1983. After his retirement, he enjoyed 20 years in the insurance business as a New York Life agent while at the same time embarking on his new passion as a founding member of Citizens National Bank, serving as Chairman of the Board for 25 years. After retiring as Chairman, he remained a Director until the time of his death. John truly loved the Lord and the church. He and Corene have served the Lord together as active members of First Baptist Bossier for nearly 60 years, in many leadership positions.

John's greatest pleasures were spending time with his family and working on his farm in Bienville Parish. John was a graduate of Northwestern State University where he was an All-American basketball player. He was the fifth pick in the first round of the 1951 NBA draft. He was a constant presence at the NSU games for the past 17 years. His support for the success of others was unwavering. He had a way of making every person feel important and appreciated. His staunch work ethic and strong moral and Christian values made him an inspiring example to all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Leslie and Marie Cole McConathy and his brother, James Leslie McConathy. He leaves behind to carry on his legacy his cherished wife of 61 years, Corene Floyd McConathy; sons, Mike McConathy and wife, Connie of Natchitoches, LA, Bill McConathy and wife, Anne of Haughton, LA, Pat McConathy and wife, Suanne of Bossier City, LA; daughter, Melinda McConathy Guest, and husband, Greg of Bossier City, LA; eleven grandchildren, Michael McConathy, Logan McConathy and wife Lyndzee, Jessica McConathy Beseau and husband Josh, Emily McConathy Hollis and husband Josh, Claire McConathy Porter and husband Rufus, Josh Guest and wife Tiffany, Paxson Guest, Parker Guest, Jacob Guest, Kyle McConathy, and Connor McConathy; and seven great-grandchildren; brother, George McConathy and wife, Terry of Sailes, LA; sisters-in-law, Mary McConathy, Dianne Floyd Jones and husband, Bobby; brother-in-law, Joe Billy Floyd; uncles, Marvin Glen Cole and wife, Shirley, Morrell Cole and wife, Elizabeth; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Honoring their Pappy as pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

The family would like to recognize the following who meant so much to John: his Sunday School Class at First Baptist Bossier, current and former employees of the Bossier Parish School System, North Louisiana Retired School Superintendents Association, Directors and Employees of Citizens National Bank, Directors of Campus Facilities, Inc., Directors of the Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum of Champions, friends in Bienville Parish, all former teammates, students and players. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Carter Boyd, and Private Angels of Care - Nataki Epps, Bobbie Davis, Myesha Fisher, and Monice Jones for their care and compassion.

The family suggests memorials be made to Demons Unlimited Foundation for the John and Corene McConathy Men's Basketball Scholarship Fund at Northwestern State University, 468 Caspari Natchitoches, LA 71497 www.nsudemons.com/mcconathyscholarship ,Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sports Camp for Junior High/High School student-athletes nwlafca.org , or Freedom Fields c/o First Baptist Church of Bossier City, LA. 2810 E. Texas St. Bossier City, LA 71111.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in his way."

Psalms 37:23