John Gallaspy

John Russell Gallaspy, III was lifted up to the Heavens April 20, 2012. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Elizabeth. John leaves his wife, Mickey, sons, John IV (Nicki) and Garland Miller. He leaves three grandchildren, John V, Jamie Ruthann and Trenton Wayne. He also leaves two sisters, Mary Ruth Greenwell (Merrell), Tyler, Texas and Jan Walker, Ocean Springs, Ms. John was born in Columbus, Ms to the late Russell and Ruby Gallaspy. John graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1964. "In September, 1967, I married Mickey Mitchell from Rena Lara, Ms, and graduated from Ole Miss in January of 1970, majoring in banking and finance. I spent ten years in banking, last with the Bank of Columbus but found it boring. We had two sons, John and Garland, while there. A career change into the sporting goods industry began a series of moves and jobs that took us to Chicago, Tulsa, Springfield, Mo and finally Nashville, where I was responsible for the fishing and hunting shows on TNN television network. In 2000, I left the network and began publishing fishing and hunting magazines, spinning one of the hunting magazines into a national TV show on hunting safety in 2003. In 2005, Mickey and I left Nashville to settle in a small agricultural town in West Tennessee, Brownsville, to enjoy the benefits of small town life." John loved Brownsville and all it offered. He worked hard with others to make the new Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse a reality. He enjoyed the Exchange Club and working on their Field of Flags making it a success. He treasured his ties with the First Presbyterian Church where he became a deacon. Life was special for him here thanks to you all. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church. A family burial is planned for later. In lieu of flowers, John requests that donations be made to the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 130 Boyd Avenue, Brownsville, TN 38012.