John Squires Jr.

1936 - 2016

John Squires

Athens, TN

Mr. John Wilber Squires, Jr.

John Wilber Squires, Jr. was born on July 29th, 1936 in Athens, TN, the son of John Wilber and Ann Mahery Squires. He passed away on September 25th from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia. John grew up in Jackson, MS., after spending his first ten years in the Cherokee National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest, where his father was with the U.S. Forest Service. He graduated from Central High School and later the L.S.U. School of Forestry. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha order while at L.S.U. After college he founded a pulpwood supply company with his father in Jackson. He went on to become President of Interpine Co. in Picayune, MS. and after a decade accepted a position with International Paper Company, where he would spend the remainder of his career. Over the next 30 years his work with I. P. took him to Mobile, AL, New York, NY, and Dallas, TX before settling in Shreveport several years prior to his retirement from his Senior Management position. John also served as President of IP Timberlands, Ltd. While employed with I.P. John was a member of the Quarter Century Society, and served on the board of Anthony Forest Products in El Dorado, AK. He was a Boy Scout leader and a faithful volunteer for 'Meals On Wheels'. His service work included feeding the homeless regularly at 'Hope Connections'. He was a member of the Rotary Club, The Committee of 100, and East Ridge Country Club. John loved golf, especially with his son, as well as hunting, fishing, gin rummy, and L.S.U football. He was a lifetime dog lover who surprised himself later in life with a love for one special stray cat. He discovered the joy of painting after his retirement and enjoyed both watercolor and acrylics.

John loved music and danced with his wife often from high school until his recent death. He loved laughing and telling stories with his children and grandchildren, all of whom made him extremely proud.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Charles Tolliver Squires. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue Harris Squires, his son, John Merrill Squires and wife Rhonda Bird Squires, his daughter, Shannon Squires Smith, and her husband Clair Scott Smith, as well as grandchildren; Clair Scott Smith IV, John Squires Smith, Jackson Merrill Smith, Hudson Merrill Squires and John Henry Squires. Also his sister Ann Squires Scott and her husband Dan of Nashville, TN, Brother James Nankivell Squires and his wife Vicki, of Dallas, TX, and Kathleen Squires Huff and her husband Fred, of Jackson, MS. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was a member of St. Joseph Catholic church where a memorial mass will be held there on Saturday, Oct. 1st at 12:00 pm with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Father Charles Glorioso and Deacon Bill Roche will officiate. Honorary Pall Bearers are; A.C. Black, Lad Cazedessus, Darrell Kelsoe, and 'The Magnificent Seven". The family would like to thank Dr. Dan Moller, Earl Alexander, Lifepath Hospice, Hospice of Shreveport/ Bossier and all of the staff at Montclair Assisted Living. We are sincerely grateful to Dr. Spence Willis, Leigh Ann O'Brien, LCSW and the sitters who patiently accompanied him through a difficult illness; Kevin Bristo, Faye Cain, Rhonda McMiller, Gerald Johnston, Constance Williams, Stephanie Chapman. We thank each of you for teaching us so much about patience and compassion. In lieu of flowers the family would like to ask that donations be made to Volunteers of America of Northwest LA (318) 221-2669.