Biography:

John Leslie Witherspoon, 86, died at home on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Little Rock, Ark., following a brief illness. John was born in Little Rock on March 21, 1937, to Burnelle Bradley Witherspoon and Lawrence Franklin Witherspoon, Sr. 

He attended Pulaski Heights grammar and junior high schools, and graduated in 1954 from The McCallie School, an all-boys college preparatory military academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. John attended Vanderbilt University, where he was a member of the SAE fraternity and received his BS degree in business in 1958. 

He is preceded in death by his three older brothers, Lawrence Jr., Gayland, Richard (“Dickie”), and his beloved daughter, Marion Elizabeth Witherspoon. He is survived by his wife Carolyn B. Witherspoon and his children, Stephanie Moffett Witherspoon of Paris, France; Kimberly Ann Witherspoon of Little Rock; Catherine Paisley Armbrust of Columbia, Missouri; and John Kevin Witherspoon of Little Rock. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Bradley Vanston of Kent, Washington; Tess Robin of Berlin, Germany; Noah Robin of Paris, France; and John “Jace” Witherspoon and Sofi Witherspoon, both of Little Rock. John is also survived by his mother-in-law, Mildred Ragsdill of Little Rock and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. 

After college, John returned to Little Rock and worked as a salesman for the Frank Lyon Company. John went on to work as a residential realtor at Rector Phillips Morse, where he made many lifelong friends. Later, he combined his real estate skills with his love of hunting and fishing to specialize in selling hunting clubs and farmland. John’s name rang a bell with hunters throughout Arkansas and beyond, particularly regarding duck hunting, with his passion, expertise, and skill in hunting, selling hunting clubs and leases.

John was a bold traveler, visiting six continents, including safaris in various parts of Africa, European exploits, adventuring in Australia & New Zealand, and exploring the Brazilian Rainforest.

He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, hiking to waterfalls, exploring caves, floating the Buffalo, hunting for mistletoe in the treetops, picking daffodils, digging up wild dogwood trees to plant in his yard, and sampling barbeque all over the South- along with hunting and fishing, of course. He also loved to spend time creating a dazzling garden with Carolyn at their longtime Hillcrest home. 

He was also an extreme outdoorsman, hunting,  fishing and exploring nature all over the world. His favorite place was his beloved hunting club PinOak, hunting and fishing with Carolyn and his friends there. He loved traveling the country hunting deer, quail, pheasant, dove, turkey, geese, and, of course ducks, and fishing everywhere from local ponds, Alaska, the deep sea and any other place where fishing adventures were to be found. 

John’s friends describe him as having a warm heart, full of charm and wit who enjoyed playfully teasing his friends. He was always the first to step in to help his friends in their times of need, a loyal friend and family member.  John, or “Spoon” as many called him, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He and his stream of hilarious stories will be deeply missed. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, April 7, from 5-7 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St., Little Rock. A graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Women and Children First, Arkansas Symphony,  and the Southern Poverty Law Center.