John Wise "Jay" Adkisson Jr.

John Wise Adkisson Jr., known always to everyone as “Jay,” died Jan. 20, 2009, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He was born Oct. 5, 1920; he was 88. A lifelong resident of Greenville, Jay — with his wife of almost 61 years, Tubby — was a second generation owner of Adkisson’s Florist, founded by his parents John Wise Adkisson Sr. and Lenna McCandless Adkisson in 1913. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1938. He was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and graduated in the Texas A and M University class of 1942 with a bachelor of science degree in landscape architecture. In 1943 he attended U.S. Naval Midshipmen’s School at Columbia University in New York, N.Y., and upon graduation was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. For the remainder of World War II he served in the South Pacific as the commanding officer of a Landing Ship Medium (LSM) and was honorably discharged, having obtained the rank of lieutenant. In 1946 he returned to Greenville where he joined his family in the operations of Wise Adkisson and Sons Florist, Greenhouse, and Nursery. Jay married Nita Lee “Tubby” Moore of Dallas on Valentine’s Day in 1948. He served his community as a two-term Greenville city councilman and mayor pro tem in the 1960s; long-tenured participant in various capacities, including chairman of the Administrative Board, for Kavanaugh United Methodist Church where he remained a member for more than 80 years; member of the Greenville Lions Club; and as a director of Greenville Club Lake. Other interests included Boy Scouts of America adult leadership and the Hunt County Aggie Club. In 1966 Jay was elected president of the Texas State Florists Association (”TSFA”), and he received the TSFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1978 in recognition of his numerous contributions to the floral industry. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jay is survived by his wife and business partner, Tubby; son Richard Wise Adkisson and daughter-in-law Jan and grandchildren Benjamin Adkisson and Rebecca Adkisson of Dallas; son John Jay Adkisson of Greenville and grandson Rob Adkisson of Scotts Valley, Calif.; a great-granddaughter, Bailey Adkisson of Dallas; sister Mary Ward of Vancouver, Wash.; a brother, Dr. Mike Adkisson and wife Beverly of Greenville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Rev. Ann Barton, assisted by Dr. Larry George and Rev. Jim Goodwin, will conduct a memorial service celebrating Jay’s life at 1 p.m. today at Kavanaugh United Methodist Church, 2516 Park Street in Greenville